Edmonton Oilers Heritage Website

The early 1970s was a period of hockey growth in Edmonton. With the arrival of the World Hockey Association (WHA) coming to Edmonton, the city finalized plans to build a new 15,000-seat-plus arena named Northlands Coliseum.

As the Oilers progressed through the decade, they were one of the few stable organizations in the new league, as many teams were in financial trouble from the beginning. High priced contracts and empty seats often forced new teams to either relocate or fold. The Oilers were one of the few exceptions, as they enjoyed a loyal fan base that could fill the new arena for big games. With a bright financial outlook, former part-owner Nelson Skalbania chose Edmonton to send Wayne Gretzky, when the troubled owner needed money to keep his Indianapolis Racers franchise afloat.

From international battles with Czechoslovakian and Soviet National teams to historic WHA moments, Oilers fans enjoyed exceptional hockey in the years leading up to the team’s move to the National Hockey League. In this section, we will look at some of those great moments.