Edmonton Oilers
Five-time Stanley Cup champions with a dynasty in the 1980s.
The Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team from Edmonton, Alberta. They play in the National Hockey League’s Western Conference as part of the Pacific Division, and their home arena is Rogers Place, which first opened in 2016. The Oilers are one of two NHL teams in Alberta, alongside the Calgary Flames, and the proximity between the two clubs fuels a well-known rivalry called the “Battle of Alberta.” Edmonton also holds the distinction of being the NHL’s northernmost home venue.
The franchise was created in 1971 by W. D. “Wild Bill” Hunter and Charles Allard, and it began play in the 1972–73 season as one of the original 12 teams in the World Hockey Association (WHA). Originally, the plan was for two WHA teams in Alberta—the Oilers and the Calgary Broncos—but when the Broncos moved and became the Cleveland Crusaders before the first season, the Edmonton team was temporarily called the Alberta Oilers. The name was changed to the Edmonton Oilers the following year, and in 1979 the club joined the NHL as one of four teams absorbed through the NHL–WHA merger.
After entering the NHL, the Oilers won the Stanley Cup five times: in 1983–84, 1984–85, 1986–87, 1987–88, and 1989–90. This ties them with the Pittsburgh Penguins for the most championships by any team since the merger, and it is also the most won by any franchise that joined the league in or after 1967. Among all NHL teams, only the Montreal Canadiens have lifted the Stanley Cup more times since the 1967 expansion. The Oilers also captured six straight division titles from 1981–82 through 1986–87. However, they have not won a division title since 1987—a drought that includes their last two Stanley Cup victories—and this is the longest such stretch without a division title in any of North America’s major professional sports. Because of their success in the 1980s and early 1990s, the Hockey Hall of Fame has recognized the Oilers of that era as a dynasty.
Following a loss in the 2006 Stanley Cup Final, the team struggled and missed the playoffs for ten straight seasons. Between 2007 and 2019, Edmonton made 16 first-round picks in the NHL entry draft, with 11 of those selections coming within the top ten picks, six within the top four, and four being first overall. Those first overall picks were Taylor Hall, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Nail Yakupov, and Connor McDavid.
- Founded
- 1971
- First season
- 1972–73 (WHA)
- Joined nhl
- 1979
- Stanley cup championships
- 5 (1983–84, 1984–85, 1986–87, 1987–88, 1989–90)
- Home arena
- Rogers Place (opened 2016)
- Division titles
- 6 straight from 1981–82 through 1986–87
Lore & Background
The Oilers were founded in 1971 by W. D. 'Wild Bill' Hunter and Charles Allard, playing their first season in 1972–73 as one of the 12 founding franchises of the World Hockey Association (WHA). Originally intended to be one of two WHA Alberta teams alongside the Calgary Broncos, the Broncos relocated before the first season, and the team was named the Alberta Oilers. They were renamed the Edmonton Oilers the following year and joined the NHL in 1979 as part of the NHL–WHA merger. During their WHA years, the team drew fans with players such as Al Hamilton, Dave Dryden, Blair MacDonald, and Bill Flett. In 1976, Glen Sather was acquired and became player-coach, later serving as coach or general manager for 23 years. The team's fortunes improved dramatically in 1978 when owner Peter Pocklington acquired underage player Wayne Gretzky, along with Eddie Mio and Peter Driscoll, from the Indianapolis Racers. In their final WHA season (1978–79), the Oilers finished first in the standings but lost in the Avco World Trophy finals.
Reader's Guide
After joining the NHL, the Oilers won the Stanley Cup five times: 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, and the most won by any team that joined the league in or after 1967. 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, but have not won a division title since 1987—the longest division title drought in all of North American major professional sports. For their overall success in the 1980s and early 1990s, the Oilers team of this era has been honored with dynasty status by the Hockey Hall of Fame. The Oilers struggled after coming up short in the 2006 Stanley Cup Final, missing the playoffs for the subsequent 10 seasons. From 2007 to 2019, they made 16 first-round selections in the NHL entry draft, including four first overall picks: Taylor Hall, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Nail Yakupov, and Connor McDavid. Nugent-Hopkins and McDavid remained with the team, helping them reach the Stanley Cup Final in 2024 and 2025, where they lost to the Florida Panthers on both occasions.
Did You Know?
- The Oilers were originally named the Alberta Oilers before being renamed the Edmonton Oilers the following year.
- Wayne Gretzky was acquired by the Oilers in 1978 from the Indianapolis Racers for cash.
- The Oilers have not won a division title since 1987, the longest such drought in North American major professional sports.
- The Oilers lost to the Florida Panthers in the Stanley Cup Final in both 2024 and 2025.
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