Kevin Lowe Scores The First Goal In Oilers' History

Kevin Lowe is the answer to many Oilers' trivia questions. Not only was the native of Lachute, Quebec, the first-ever NHL draft choice of the fledgling franchise, he also played more games as an Oiler (1,037) than anyone else.  So impressive was his ability to lead when he played for the team, he was selected as an assistant coach and eventually head coach of the club.  Since 2000, he has moved beyond his head coaching duties, and currently serves as the team’s general manager.

He is also the answer to the Oilers’ trivia question—"Who scored the first NHL goal in team history?"

The Oilers played their NHL game on October 10, 1979, at the famous old Chicago Stadium. Down 2-0 early in the first period, the Oilers got a power play chance. Brett Callighen got the puck to Wayne Gretzky, who passed the puck to Lowe, who deposited the puck into the net.

When the red light went on, Lowe did not think about the historical importance of the moment—he was happy the goal got the Oilers back into the game after such a nervous start.

"It’s funny. My first reaction was that I scored to get my team back into the game," recalled Lowe. "We were young and nervous and had to recover from the shock of Chicago scoring two quick goals on us. We were already down 2-0 and we got a power play—we were just looking to get back in it with the Blackhawks. I skated into the slot and Gretz passed it to me. I managed to get a quick backhand off and it went in through a scrum of players. All I could think was ‘We scored!’ I didn’t think about it being the franchise’s first goal. It wasn’t until Gretz skated over to me and said ‘Pick up the puck—that’s the team’s first goal’ that I got excited about scoring the Oilers’ and my first NHL goal."

The Oilers later framed the puck and presented the first goal memento to Lowe. Lowe then sent the puck to his family, where it became an immediate attention-grabber on the walls of their Quebec home.

Kevin Lowe later promised that the the puck will not stay Lowe family home forever. "One day, I’m sure it will be turned over to the Hall of Fame," promised Lowe.

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