1983 Smythe Division Semi-Final Game 7 vs Vancouver Canucks

Lore & Background

The Oilers were founded in 1971 by W. D. 'Wild Bill' Hunter and Dr. Chuck Allard and played its first season in 1972–73 as one of the 12 founding franchises of the major professional World Hockey Association (WHA). They were intended to be one of two WHA Alberta teams along with the Calgary Broncos. However, when the Broncos relocated and became the Cleveland Crusaders before the WHA's first season began, the team was named the Alberta Oilers. They were renamed the Edmonton Oilers the following year and subsequently joined the NHL in 1979 as one of four franchises absorbed through the NHL–WHA merger. After joining the NHL, the Oilers went on to win the Stanley Cup on five occasions: 1983–84, 1984–85, 1986–87, 1987–88 and 1989–90. Along with the Pittsburgh Penguins, they are tied for the most championships won by any team since the NHL–WHA merger, as well as the most won by any team that joined the league in or after 1967. Among all NHL teams, only the Montreal Canadiens have won the Stanley Cup more times since the league's 1967 expansion. The Oilers also won six straight division titles from 1981–82 through 1986–87. Notably, however, the Oilers have not won a division title since 1987, a drought that includes their most recent two Stanley Cup wins and is the longest division title drought in all of the North American major professional sports. For their overall success in the 1980s and early 1990s, the Oilers team of this era has been honoured with dynasty status by the Hockey Hall of Fame.

In Their Own Story

The air inside Northlands Coliseum was thick with anticipation, smelling faintly of popcorn and nervous sweat. As the final buzzer sounded on the third period, the roar of the crowd was deafening, a physical wave of sound that seemed to shake the ice beneath the players' skates. Wayne Gretzky stood at center ice, chest heaving, watching his teammates mob each other in celebration. For a split second, the noise faded into a hum, and he knew: the long wait was over, and the journey to immortality had finally begun.

Reader's Guide

In 1982–83, the Oilers finished third overall in the NHL. They advanced all the way to the Stanley Cup Final (losing only once in the process) before getting swept by defending Stanley Cup champion New York Islanders. During this season, Gretzky, Messier, Anderson and Kurri all topped 100 points, with Coffey not far behind at 96. After the season, Lee Fogolin resigned as captain of the Oilers, picking Gretzky as his successor. The source does not specify the Oilers' playoff opponents in the 1983 Smythe Division Semi-Final or Final; it only states they advanced to the Stanley Cup Final and lost to the New York Islanders.

Did You Know?

• The Oilers won the first game in WHA history 7–4 over the Ottawa Nationals.
• Wayne Gretzky set the single-season record for goals with 92 in 1981–82.
• The Oilers are the NHL franchise with the northernmost home location.
• The Oilers have not won a division title since 1987, the longest drought in North American major professional sports.

Franchise Origins and WHA Foundations

The Edmonton Oilers trace their professional roots to a bold venture in 1971 by W.D. "Wild Bill" Hunter and Dr. Chuck Allard, who established one of twelve founding franchises for the World Hockey Association (WHA). Initially intended as a shared Alberta entity with the Calgary Broncos, the team played exclusively in Edmonton after the Broncos relocated, briefly adopting the name Alberta Oilers before settling on their current moniker. While early seasons featured notable figures like captain Al Hamilton and goaltender Dave Dryden, the franchise's trajectory shifted dramatically with the 1976 acquisition of Glen Sather. Though his playing days were ending, Sather transitioned into a coaching role that would define the organization for over two decades. The team's financial stability in the WHA allowed them to weather ownership changes, including a sale to Nelson Skalbania and eventually Peter Pocklington. This era culminated in 1978 when Pocklington secured Wayne Gretzky from the Indianapolis Racers, setting the stage for an unprecedented run of success that would soon carry over into the National Hockey League.

The Transition to NHL Dominance

Following the historic merger between the WHA and NHL, the Edmonton Oilers entered the league in 1979 alongside three other franchises. Unlike their counterparts—the Quebec Nordiques, Winnipeg Jets, and Hartford Whalers—who would eventually relocate or rename themselves, Edmonton remained a constant presence in Alberta. The transition was not without immediate challenges; the reclamation draft saw the team lose many veteran players from their final WHA season as they could only protect two goaltenders and two skaters. Despite these roster disruptions, the foundation laid by Sather's management and Gretzky's arrival proved resilient. This period marked the beginning of a remarkable ascent where the Oilers would secure six consecutive division titles starting in 1982. Their dominance was so profound that they eventually captured five Stanley Cups between 1984 and 1990, tying with the Pittsburgh Penguins for the most championships won by any post-merger franchise and earning official dynasty status from the Hockey Hall of Fame.

The Battle of Alberta and Regional Rivalry

A defining characteristic of the Oilers' identity is their intense geographical rivalry with the Calgary Flames, collectively known as the "Battle of Alberta." As one of only two NHL franchises based in the province, this proximity has fueled a fierce competition that transcends standard league standings. This regional dynamic adds significant weight to every matchup between the two teams, creating a unique atmosphere for fans and players alike. While the Oilers have enjoyed periods of overwhelming success, including their five championship runs, the rivalry ensures that local bragging rights remain a perpetual source of contention. The history of this conflict is woven into the fabric of Alberta sports culture, with both teams vying for supremacy in a province where hockey loyalty is deeply entrenched. Even as the league has expanded and other franchises have moved, the Oilers' connection to their provincial neighbor remains a central pillar of their competitive narrative.

Modern Resilience and Draft Strategy

After a challenging period following their 2006 Stanley Cup Final appearance, which included a decade-long playoff drought, the Edmonton Oilers rebuilt through an aggressive drafting strategy. Between 2007 and 2019, the organization made sixteen first-round selections, securing eleven picks within the top ten overall. This approach yielded four number-one overall picks: Taylor Hall, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Nail Yakupov, and Connor McDavid. While some stars departed, retaining core talents like Nugent-Hopkins and McDavid proved instrumental in restoring the franchise's competitiveness. Their efforts culminated in reaching the Stanley Cup Final in both 2024 and 2025, though they fell short against the Florida Panthers on both occasions. Despite a long drought without a division title since 1987—the longest such streak in North American major sports—the Oilers have demonstrated an ability to leverage high draft capital into championship-caliber contention once again.