Edmonton Oilers facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Edmonton Oilers
Conference	Western
Division	Pacific
Founded	1972
History	Alberta Oilers 1972–1973 (WHA) Edmonton Oilers 1973–1979 (WHA) 1979–present (NHL)
Home arena	Rogers Place
City	Edmonton, Alberta
Colours	Royal blue, orange, white
Media	Sportsnet West Sportsnet Oilers Citytv Edmonton 880 CHED
Owner(s)	OEG Inc.
General manager	Stan Bowman
Head coach	Kris Knoblauch
Captain	Connor McDavid
Minor league affiliates	Bakersfield Condors (AHL) Fort Wayne Komets (ECHL)
Stanley Cups	5 (1983–84, 1984–85, 1986–87, 1987–88, 1989–90)
Conference championships	8 (1982–83, 1983–84, 1984–85, 1986–87, 1987–88, 1989–90, 2005–06, 2023–24)
Presidents' Trophies	2 (1985–86, 1986–87)
Division championships	6 (1981–82, 1982–83, 1983–84, 1984–85, 1985–86, 1986–87)

The Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. They play in the National Hockey League (NHL) as part of the Pacific Division in the Western Conference. Their home games are played at Rogers Place, which opened in 2016. As of late 2023, Kris Knoblauch is the head coach, and Stan Bowman became the general manager in July 2024. The Oilers are one of two NHL teams in Alberta, the other being the Calgary Flames. This close distance has created a big rivalry called the "Battle of Alberta".

The Oilers were started in 1971 by W. D. "Wild Bill" Hunter and Dr. Chuck Allard. They played their first season in 1972–73 in the World Hockey Association (WHA). They were first called the Alberta Oilers because they planned to play games in both Edmonton and Calgary. But they only played in Edmonton, so they changed their name to the Edmonton Oilers the next year. In 1979, they joined the NHL as one of four teams from the WHA.

After joining the NHL, the Oilers became very successful. They won the Stanley Cup five times: in 1984, 1985, 1987, 1988, and 1990. This makes them one of the most successful teams since the NHL and WHA merged. Only the Montreal Canadiens have won more Stanley Cups since 1967. The Oilers also won six division titles in a row from 1981–82 to 1986–87. The Oilers team from the 1980s is known as a "dynasty" in the Hockey Hall of Fame.

After losing in the 2006 Stanley Cup Finals, the Oilers had a tough time. They missed the playoffs for ten seasons in a row. During this period, they often had high draft picks. They used these picks to select talented players like Taylor Hall, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Nail Yakupov, and Connor McDavid. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Connor McDavid are still with the team. They helped the Oilers reach the 2024 Stanley Cup Finals, where they lost to the Florida Panthers in seven games.

The Oilers' Journey: From WHA to NHL Champions

Early Years in the WHA (1972–1979)

The Edmonton Oilers started as one of the 12 founding teams in the World Hockey Association (WHA) on November 1, 1971. The team was owned by "Wild Bill" Hunter and Dr. Charles A. "Chuck" Allard. Hunter had tried to bring an NHL team to Edmonton but was turned down. So, he decided to join the new WHA instead. He chose the name "Oilers," which was also a nickname for his junior hockey team, the Edmonton Oil Kings. Hunter even coached the team for parts of three seasons.

The team was first called the Alberta Oilers. This was because they planned to play games in both Edmonton and Calgary. However, they ended up playing all their home games in Edmonton. The next year, they changed their name back to the Edmonton Oilers. They won the very first WHA game 7–4 against the Ottawa Nationals.

The Oilers attracted fans with players like captain Al Hamilton, goalie Dave Dryden, and forwards Blair MacDonald and Bill Flett. In 1976, a player named Glen Sather joined the team. It was his last season as a player. He soon became a player-coach and then moved to coaching full-time. Sather would go on to be the coach or general manager for the Oilers for the next 23 years.

Even though the Oilers were not always the best team in the WHA, they had strong support from fans and were financially stable. In 1978, the team's luck changed when owner Peter Pocklington acquired a young player named Wayne Gretzky. Gretzky joined the Oilers from the recently closed Indianapolis Racers.

In Gretzky's first WHA season (1978–79), the Oilers finished first in the league. However, they lost in the championship final to the Winnipeg Jets. Dave Semenko of the Oilers scored the last goal in WHA history in that final game. The Oilers joined the NHL in 1979, along with three other WHA teams. The Edmonton Oilers are the only one of these four teams that has never moved or changed its name.

Joining the NHL and Building a Dynasty (1979–1990)

When the Oilers joined the NHL in 1979, they lost many of their players. But they were allowed to keep Wayne Gretzky. He had signed a long contract with the team. This helped the Oilers keep their biggest star.

The Oilers were placed in the Smythe Division. In their first two NHL seasons, they were not very strong. But because many teams made the playoffs back then, their young players gained valuable experience. They won only one playoff series in their first three NHL seasons. However, they had high draft picks, which helped them build a talented team quickly. Coach Glen Sather and scout Barry Fraser drafted future stars like Mark Messier, Glenn Anderson, Jari Kurri, Paul Coffey, Kevin Lowe, Grant Fuhr, and Andy Moog.

In the 1981–82 season, the Oilers improved a lot. Goalie Grant Fuhr had a great rookie season, going undefeated in 23 games. Wayne Gretzky broke NHL records, scoring 92 goals and 212 points. The Oilers became the first team to score 400 goals in a season. However, they were upset by the Los Angeles Kings in the playoffs. In one famous game, the Oilers lost after leading 5–0 in the third period.

In 1982–83, the Oilers reached the Stanley Cup Finals. They lost to the defending champions, the New York Islanders. After this season, Gretzky became the team captain.

Winning the Stanley Cup (1983–1988)

The 1983–84 season was amazing for the Oilers. They finished first in the NHL with a record 57 wins and 119 points. Gretzky, Kurri, and Anderson all scored 50 goals. Paul Coffey became only the second defenseman to score 40 goals in a season. The team scored an NHL record 446 goals. In the playoffs, they swept the Winnipeg Jets and then beat the Calgary Flames in seven games. They then swept the Minnesota North Stars to reach the Stanley Cup Finals again. This time, they faced the Islanders and won the Stanley Cup, becoming the first former WHA team to do so. Mark Messier won the Conn Smythe Trophy as the playoff MVP.

The next season (1984–85), the Oilers finished second overall. Gretzky led the NHL with 73 goals and became the youngest player to score 1,000 points. The Oilers won their second straight Stanley Cup, beating the Philadelphia Flyers. Paul Coffey set new playoff records for goals, assists, and points by a defenseman. Jari Kurri tied a record with 19 playoff goals. Gretzky won the Conn Smythe Trophy again, setting a record with 47 playoff points. The 1984–85 Oilers team was later voted the greatest NHL team of all time.

In 1985–86, the Oilers were the best team in the NHL again, winning the first-ever Presidents' Trophy. Gretzky, Kurri, and Anderson each scored 50 goals. Kurri led the NHL with 68 goals. Paul Coffey set a new record for goals by a defenseman with 48. Gretzky set records for assists (163) and points (215). However, the Oilers lost to the Calgary Flames in the second round of the playoffs. A rookie defenseman, Steve Smith, accidentally scored an own goal in Game 7, which decided the series.

The Oilers won their second straight Presidents' Trophy in 1986–87. They returned to the Stanley Cup Finals and faced the Philadelphia Flyers again. The Oilers took a 3–1 series lead, but the Flyers fought back. The Oilers won Game 7, 3–1. After the game, Gretzky famously passed the Stanley Cup to Steve Smith, helping him feel better after his mistake the year before.

In 1987–88, the Oilers started to lose some star players. Paul Coffey was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins. Goalie Andy Moog was traded to the Boston Bruins for Bill Ranford. Despite these changes, the Oilers finished third overall. Grant Fuhr played a record 75 games and won 40. In the playoffs, the Oilers swept the Boston Bruins to win their fourth Stanley Cup in five years. Gretzky won the Conn Smythe Trophy again. After the win, Gretzky started a tradition of taking a team photo with the Stanley Cup at center ice. Fuhr won the Vezina Trophy as the NHL's best goaltender.

After Gretzky's Departure (1988–1990)

On August 9, 1988, in a shocking trade, Wayne Gretzky was traded to the Los Angeles Kings. The Oilers received money, young player Jimmy Carson, and several draft picks. The trade happened because the owner did not want to risk Gretzky leaving for free later. Fans and even some players were very upset.

The Oilers felt Gretzky's loss immediately in 1988–89. They finished third in their division. Mark Messier became the new captain. In the first round of the playoffs, the Oilers faced Gretzky's Kings. Edmonton took a 3–1 series lead but lost the series in seven games. This was the first time since 1982 that the Oilers were eliminated in the first round.

More changes happened in the 1989–90 season. John Muckler became the new head coach. Goalie Grant Fuhr was injured, and Bill Ranford became the starting goalie. Jimmy Carson was traded to Detroit for players like Petr Klima, Adam Graves, and Joe Murphy. The Oilers improved, finishing fifth overall in the NHL. Messier had a great season with 129 points.

In the playoffs, the Oilers came back from a 3–1 series deficit to beat the Winnipeg Jets. They then swept the Los Angeles Kings. In the Conference Final, they beat the Chicago Blackhawks. This set up a rematch with the Boston Bruins in the Stanley Cup Finals. Game 1 of the series was one of the longest Stanley Cup Finals games ever. The Oilers won in triple overtime. The Oilers defeated the Bruins in five games, winning their first Stanley Cup without Gretzky. Bill Ranford won the Conn Smythe Trophy for his amazing goaltending.

A Period of Change and Rebuilding (1990–2015)

After their 1990 Stanley Cup win, the Oilers continued to lose key players. Jari Kurri left to play in Italy. In 1991, Fuhr, Glenn Anderson, and Steve Smith were traded. Mark Messier was traded to the New York Rangers just after the season started. Kevin Lowe became the new captain.

Despite losing so many stars, the Oilers still made it to the Conference Finals for two more seasons. However, they were no longer the dominant team they once were. In 1992–93, they missed the playoffs for the first time as an NHL team. They would not return to the playoffs for four years. Young players like Doug Weight and Jason Arnott emerged during this time.

Return to the Playoffs and Stanley Cup Finals Appearance (1996–2006)

In 1996–97, the Oilers made the playoffs again, thanks to strong goaltending from Curtis Joseph. They upset the Dallas Stars in the first round, winning Game 7 in overtime. But they lost to the Colorado Avalanche in the next round. In 1997–98, Joseph led them to another first-round upset against Colorado. However, they lost to the Dallas Stars in the second round. The Oilers made the playoffs in four of the next six years but were always defeated after the first round.

The Oilers faced financial challenges. In 1998, owner Peter Pocklington almost sold the team to an owner who would have moved them to Houston. However, the Edmonton Investors Group, led by Cal Nichols, bought the team for $70 million. This kept the Oilers in Edmonton.

On November 22, 2003, the Oilers hosted the 2003 Heritage Classic. This was the first outdoor regular season NHL game. They lost to the Montreal Canadiens 4–3 in front of over 55,000 fans at Commonwealth Stadium. The Oilers missed the playoffs in the 2003–04 season.

After the 2004–05 season was cancelled due to a lockout, a new agreement helped smaller market teams like the Oilers. This allowed them to acquire star players like Chris Pronger and Michael Peca before the 2005–06 season.

The team struggled at first in 2005–06. But mid-season trades for players like Dwayne Roloson and Sergei Samsonov helped them improve. They finished with 95 points and clinched the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

In the playoffs, the Oilers upset the top-seeded Detroit Red Wings in six games. They then beat the San Jose Sharks and the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim to reach the 2006 Stanley Cup Finals. They faced the Carolina Hurricanes. In Game 1, the Oilers lost Roloson to injury. Despite falling behind 3–1 in the series, the Oilers forced a Game 7. However, they lost Game 7, and the Hurricanes won the Stanley Cup.

A Long Playoff Drought (2006–2015)

After the 2006 Finals, many Oilers players left. Chris Pronger was traded, and others left as free agents. The Oilers had a tough 2006–07 season, finishing 11th in the Western Conference. They continued to miss the playoffs in the following seasons.

In 2008, Daryl Katz, owner of a pharmaceutical company, bought the team. The Oilers then restructured their hockey operations. They continued to struggle, finishing 11th in the West in 2008–09. Head coach Craig MacTavish was fired and replaced by Pat Quinn.

The Oilers often finished at the bottom of the standings, which gave them high draft picks. In 2010, they selected Taylor Hall first overall. They also drafted Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (2011) and Nail Yakupov (2012) first overall. These young players were meant to rebuild the team.

In 2013, the City of Edmonton approved a deal for a new arena in downtown Edmonton. This new arena, called Rogers Place, opened for the 2016–17 season.

The Oilers continued to miss the playoffs. In 2013, general manager Steve Tambellini was replaced by former coach Craig MacTavish. MacTavish then fired head coach Ralph Krueger and hired Dallas Eakins. Captain Shawn Horcoff was traded, and Andrew Ference became the new captain. Long-time Oilers Ales Hemsky and Ryan Smyth also left the team.

The Oilers finished last in the NHL in 2014–15, their worst season as an NHL team. Dallas Eakins was fired, and Todd Nelson became interim coach. The Oilers also moved their AHL minor league team to Bakersfield, California, renaming them the Bakersfield Condors.

The McDavid–Draisaitl Era (2015–Present)

In 2015, the Oilers won the Draft Lottery again, giving them the first overall pick for the fourth time in six seasons. They used this pick to select Connor McDavid, a highly talented player.

After the draft, Peter Chiarelli became the new general manager and president of hockey operations. He made several trades, including acquiring goalie Cam Talbot. Todd McLellan was named the new head coach. The Oilers started the 2015–16 season without a captain. Taylor Hall, Jordan Eberle, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, and Andrew Ference were named alternate captains.

In April 2016, the Oilers played their final home game at Rexall Place, their home since 1974. They defeated the Vancouver Canucks 6–2. A ceremony was held to honor the arena's history, with former players like Mark Messier and Wayne Gretzky skating on the ice one last time.

Before the 2016–17 season, the Oilers traded Taylor Hall to the New Jersey Devils for defenseman Adam Larsson. They also signed free agent Milan Lucic. On October 5, 19-year-old Connor McDavid was named the 15th captain of the Oilers. He became the youngest team captain in NHL history.

The 2016–17 season was a big success. The Oilers qualified for the playoffs, ending an 11-year drought. They finished with a 47–26–9 record. McDavid had 100 points, leading the league in assists and points. He won the Art Ross Trophy and the Hart Memorial Trophy as the league's most valuable player. Leon Draisaitl and Patrick Maroon also had great seasons. Goalie Cam Talbot set a new franchise record with 42 wins.

In the first round of the playoffs, the Oilers eliminated the San Jose Sharks. This was their first playoff series win since 2006. However, their playoff run ended in the second round, as they lost to the Anaheim Ducks in Game 7.

In the 2017 off-season, the Oilers traded Jordan Eberle and signed McDavid and Draisaitl to long-term contracts. Despite high expectations, the Oilers struggled in 2017–18 and missed the playoffs.

In January 2019, Peter Chiarelli was removed as general manager. Keith Gretzky was named interim general manager. The Oilers missed the playoffs again in 2018–19.

Recent Playoff Appearances (2020–Present)

In May 2019, Ken Holland was appointed general manager, and Dave Tippett became the new head coach. In the 2019–20 season, the Oilers showed improvement. The season was paused due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Edmonton was chosen as a host city for the 2020 Stanley Cup playoffs. The Oilers qualified but were upset by the Chicago Blackhawks in the preliminary round.

In the 2020–21 season, the Oilers finished second in their division. Connor McDavid had an incredible season with 105 points in just 53 games, winning his second Hart Trophy. Leon Draisaitl also had 84 points. The Oilers faced the Winnipeg Jets in the first round of the playoffs but were swept in four games. Three of their losses were in overtime.

In the 2021–22 season, the Oilers had 49 wins, their first 40-win season since 2017. McDavid had a career-high 123 points. The Oilers finished second in their division and faced the Los Angeles Kings in the first round of the 2022 Stanley Cup playoffs. They won a close series in Game 7. In the second round, they faced their rivals, the Calgary Flames, in the "Battle of Alberta." The Oilers won the series in five games. They advanced to the Western Conference Finals for the first time since 2006 but were swept by the eventual Stanley Cup champion Colorado Avalanche.

In the 2022–23 season, McDavid, Draisaitl, and Nugent-Hopkins all reached 100 points. This was the first time since 1995–96 that three players on one team scored 100 points. The Oilers finished with 50 wins, their first 50-win season since 1986–87. They beat the Los Angeles Kings in the first round but were eliminated by the eventual Stanley Cup champion Vegas Golden Knights in the second round.

The 2023–24 season started slowly for the Oilers, leading to the dismissal of head coach Jay Woodcroft. Kris Knoblauch took over as head coach. The team then went on a 16-game winning streak. Zach Hyman scored a personal high of 54 goals. Connor McDavid became only the fourth player since 1990–91 to record 100 assists in a single season. The Oilers beat the Los Angeles Kings, Vancouver Canucks, and Dallas Stars to reach the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time since 2006. They faced the Florida Panthers and trailed 3–0 in the series but fought back to force a Game 7. They ultimately lost the series in seven games. Connor McDavid won the Conn Smythe Trophy as the playoff MVP.

After the Finals loss, general manager Ken Holland and the Oilers decided to part ways. Jeff Jackson became the interim general manager.

Team Information

Jerseys and Logos

The original Oilers logo from 1972 featured blue and orange colors. Orange was the main color, with blue trim. For a short time, the word "ALBERTA" was on the jerseys instead of player names.

In 1975–76, the jersey changed to a blue base with orange trim. When the team joined the NHL in 1979, the jersey got its most famous look. Minor changes were made to the numbers, letters, and collar over the years.

In 1996, the team colors changed to midnight blue and copper with red trim. The shoulder bars were removed, and a new "Rigger" logo was added to the shoulders.

In 2001, the Oilers introduced a new alternate jersey designed by Todd McFarlane. This jersey was very different, with no original Oilers logo, and used shades of silver/grey with midnight blue.

For the 2003 Heritage Classic outdoor game, the Oilers wore their classic 1980s white uniform.

In 2007, with new NHL jerseys, the Oilers kept their colors but changed the style. In 2008, they brought back an alternate jersey that looked like the blue-and-orange away jersey from their dynasty years. This jersey became their main home jersey in 2009–10, making blue and orange their primary colors again. In 2011, they introduced new white road jerseys.

For the 2015–16 season, the team brought in a new alternate jersey with orange as the main color, inspired by their original WHA design. This "Surge of Orange" became very popular with fans. The Oilers also wore these orange jerseys in the 2016 Heritage Classic.

With the switch to Adidas jerseys in 2017–18, the orange jersey became the Oilers' main home design. To celebrate their 40th NHL anniversary in 2018–19, the Oilers wore their classic 1980s blue jerseys for some home games. Before the 2019–20 season, they unveiled a new midnight blue alternate jersey.

In 2020–21, the Oilers released a "Reverse Retro" uniform, which was a twist on the 1980s white jersey with orange and blue colors swapped.

Starting in 2022–23, the Oilers brought back the 1980s blue and white jerseys. They also released a second "Reverse Retro" uniform, based on the 2001–2007 alternate jersey but with orange instead of silver.

For the 2023 Heritage Classic, the Oilers wore special uniforms inspired by the 1952 Winter Olympics Team Canada. These blue jerseys had an enlarged oil drop, the team name, and orange and cream stripes.

Anthem Singer

From 1981 to 2011, Paul Lorieau was the Oilers' anthem singer. Since 2013, the anthem singer has been Robert Clark, an opera singer. During playoffs, Clark sings the anthems from the crowd.

Mascot

The Oilers' mascot is a Canadian lynx named Hunter. He was introduced on September 26, 2016. The lynx was chosen because Alberta has a large population of them. The name "Hunter" honors the team's original owner, William "Wild Bill" Hunter. Hunter wears jersey number 72, which is the year the Oilers were founded. He uses a portable drum to get the crowd to chant "Let's Go Oilers!"

Oilers Octane

The Oilers Octane was the cheerleading team for the Edmonton Oilers. It was the first cheer squad for a Canadian NHL team. The team's debut received mixed reactions from the community.

The Octane performed for the first time on December 14, 2010. The first team had 19 cheerleaders, aged 18 to 29. They wore uniforms that looked like the original Oilers jerseys, but with skirts and knee-high boots.

In August 2016, the Oilers Entertainment Group announced they were ending the Octane. They wanted a new approach to the fan experience as the team moved to Rogers Place. They announced auditions for a new co-ed group of "brand ambassadors" called the Oilers Orange and Blue Ice Crew.

Recent Season Performance

This is a partial list of the last five seasons completed by the Oilers. For the full season-by-season history, see List of Edmonton Oilers seasons

Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, OTL = Overtime Losses/Shootout Losses, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against, PIM = Penalties in minutes

Season	GP	W	L	OTL	Pts	GF	GA	Finish	Playoffs
2019–20	71	37	25	9	83	225	217	2nd, Pacific	Lost in qualifying round, 1–3 (Blackhawks)
2020–21	56	35	19	2	72	183	154	2nd, North	Lost in first round, 0–4 (Jets)
2021–22	82	49	27	6	104	290	252	2nd, Pacific	Lost in conference finals, 0–4 (Avalanche)
2022–23	82	50	23	9	109	325	260	2nd, Pacific	Lost in second round, 2–4 (Golden Knights)
2023–24	82	49	27	6	104	294	237	2nd, Pacific	Lost in Stanley Cup Finals, 3–4 (Panthers)

Team Leaders and Awards

Current Roster

Updated December 23, 2022

#	Nat	Player	Pos	S/G	Age	Acquired	Birthplace
22		Barrie, TysonTyson Barrie	D	R	33	2020	Victoria, British Columbia
2		Bouchard, EvanEvan Bouchard	D	R	25	2018	Oakville, Ontario
86		Broberg, PhilipPhilip Broberg	D	L	23	2019	Orebro, Sweden
36		Campbell, JackJack Campbell	G	L	33	2022	Port Huron, Michigan
5		Ceci, CodyCody Ceci	D	R	31	2021	Ottawa, Ontario
29		Draisaitl, LeonLeon Draisaitl (A)	C	L	29	2014	Cologne, Germany
37		Foegele, WarrenWarren Foegele	LW	L	29	2021	Markham, Ontario
57		Hamblin, JamesJames Hamblin	LW	L	26	2022	Edmonton, Alberta
55		Holloway, DylanDylan Holloway	LW	L	23	2020	Calgary, Alberta
18		Hyman, ZachZach Hyman	LW	R	33	2021	Toronto, Ontario
26		Janmark, MattiasMattias Janmark	LW	L	32	2022	Danderyd, Sweden
91		Kane, EvanderEvander Kane	LW	L	33	2022	Vancouver, British Columbia
77		Klefbom, OscarOscar Klefbom	D	L	31	2011	Karlstad, Sweden
21		Kostin, KlimKlim Kostin	LW	L	26	2022	Penza, Russia
27		Kulak, BrettBrett Kulak	D	L	31	2022	Stony Plain, Alberta
97		McDavid, ConnorConnor McDavid (C)	C	L	28	2015	Richmond Hill, Ontario
71		McLeod, RyanRyan McLeod	C	L	25	2018	Mississauga, Ontario
28		Murray, RyanRyan Murray	D	L	31	2022	Regina, Saskatchewan
80		Niemelainen, MarkusMarkus Niemelainen	D	L	27	2016	Kuopio, Finland
93		Nugent-Hopkins, RyanRyan Nugent-Hopkins (A)	C	L	32	2011	Burnaby, British Columbia
25		Nurse, DarnellDarnell Nurse (A)	D	L	30	2013	Hamilton, Ontario
13		Puljujarvi, JesseJesse Puljujarvi	RW	R	27	2016	Alvkarleby, Sweden
10		Ryan, DerekDerek Ryan	C	R	38	2021	Spokane, Washington
14		Shore, DevinDevin Shore	C	L	30	2020	Ajax, Ontario
74		Skinner, StuartStuart Skinner	G	L	26	2017	Edmonton, Alberta
41		Smith, MikeMike Smith	G	L	43	2019	Kingston, Ontario
56		Yamamoto, KailerKailer Yamamoto	RW	R	26	2017	Spokane, Washington

Team Captains

Note: This list includes the Oilers' captains from both the NHL and WHA.

* Ryan Smyth was named captain for his final NHL game

Head Coaches

Note: This list includes the Oilers' head coaches from both the NHL and WHA.

General Managers

Note: This list includes the Oilers' general managers from both the NHL and WHA.

Honored Members

Retired Numbers

The Oilers have retired eight jersey numbers to honor special players.

Edmonton Oilers Retired Numbers

No.	Player	Position	Career	No. Retirement
3	Al Hamilton	D	1972–1980	October 10, 1980 1
4	Kevin Lowe	D	1979–1992 1996–1997	November 5, 2021
7	Paul Coffey	D	1980–1987	October 18, 2005
9	Glenn Anderson	RW	1980–1991 1995–1996	January 18, 2009
11	Mark Messier	LW	1979–1991	February 27, 2007
17	Jari Kurri	RW	1980–1990	October 6, 2001
31	Grant Fuhr	G	1981–1991	October 9, 2003
99 2	Wayne Gretzky	C	1978–1988	October 1, 1999

Notes:

• ¹ Jersey ceremony held April 4, 2001.
• ² Gretzky's no. 99 was retired League-wide by the NHL on February 6, 2000.

Edmonton Oilers Hall of Fame

In 2022, the Oilers started their own Hall of Fame. Players and staff who have helped the team since 1972 can be inducted. The first group in 2022 included many famous Oilers like Al Hamilton, Wayne Gretzky, Jari Kurri, Grant Fuhr, Paul Coffey, Mark Messier, Glenn Anderson, Kevin Lowe, Glen Sather, and Rod Phillips. Lee Fogolin and Ryan Smyth were also inducted.

Starting in 2023, fans can help choose future Hall of Fame members. In 2023, Charlie Huddy and former captain Doug Weight were inducted. In 2024, Craig MacTavish and Randy Gregg were announced as the next inductees.

Hockey Hall of Fame Honorees

Many Oilers players and staff have been inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Eleven Oilers players are in the Hall of Fame. Jacques Plante and Norm Ullman played for the Oilers in the WHA before being inducted. Wayne Gretzky was inducted in 1999, right after he retired. He is known as "The Great One" and holds many NHL scoring records. Jari Kurri was the first Finnish player inducted in 2001. Goalie Grant Fuhr was inducted in 2003. Paul Coffey was inducted in 2004. Mark Messier was inducted in 2007 and is known as a great leader. Glenn Anderson was inducted in 2008. Adam Oates played briefly for the Oilers and was inducted in 2012. Chris Pronger, who helped the Oilers reach the 2006 Stanley Cup Finals, was inducted in 2015. The most recent Oiler player inducted is Kevin Lowe.

Six Oilers builders (coaches, general managers, broadcasters) are in the Hall of Fame. Glen Sather, who coached the Oilers to four Stanley Cups, was inducted in 1997. Roger Neilson worked as a video analyst for the Oilers and was inducted in 2002. Broadcaster Rod Phillips received an award in 2003. Pat Quinn, a former Oilers coach, was inducted in 2016. Clare Drake, another former Oilers coach, was inducted in 2017. Ken Holland, a former Oilers general manager, was inducted in 2020. Ken Hitchcock, who coached the Oilers in 2018–19, was inducted in 2023.

Scoring Leaders

These are the top-ten players with the most points, goals, and assists in Oilers history. These numbers are updated after each NHL regular season.

Note: Pos = Position; GP = Games Played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; P/G = Points per game

•  *  – current Oilers player

Note: This list includes WHA statistics.

Single-Season Records

Items marked in bold are NHL records.

NHL Awards and Trophies

Home Arenas

• Edmonton Gardens (1972–1974)
• Northlands Coliseum (1974–2016)
• Commonwealth Stadium (2003 Heritage Classic and the 2023 Heritage Classic)
• Rogers Place (2016–present)

Broadcasters

Most Edmonton Oilers games are shown on TV by Rogers Media. This includes regional games on Sportsnet West and Sportsnet Oilers. National games are shown on Sportsnet or Hockey Night in Canada (on CBC Television, Citytv, or Sportsnet). The Oilers' broadcast area covers Alberta, Saskatchewan, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut. As of 2021, Jack Michaels does play-by-play for most TV games, with Louie DeBrusk and reporter Gene Principe. Starting in 2024–25, some Monday night NHL games, including Oilers games, will be shown only on Prime Video.

On the radio, games are broadcast on CHED. The play-by-play announcers are Cam Moon or Jack Michaels, with Bob Stauffer. Bryn Griffiths will be the new reporter starting in 2024–25. Rob Brown is an analyst during intermissions. Cam Moon calls regional games, while Jack Michaels calls national games on radio.

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