Ray Kinasewich—The Oilers' First Coach

In 1972, Ray Kinasewich, a native of Smokey Lake, Alberta, became the first head coach in Edmonton Oilers history. Prior to his appointment with the Oilers, Kinasewich had coached the Edmonton Oil Kings to victory in the 1966 Memorial Cup, junior hockey’s top prize.

His tenure, however, would be short-lived. Former Oil Kings owner and Oilers founder Bill Hunter, known throughout hockey circles as "Wild Bill," fired Kinasewich halfway through the 1972-73 season and took over behind the bench himself.

Hunter guided the Oilers to a fourth-place tie in the six-team Western Division as the club finished with an overall record of 38-37-3.

The Minnesota Fighting Saints defeated the Alberta Oilers (the team became known as the Edmonton Oilers the following season) in a one-game playoff to determine which team would advance into the World Hockey Association (WHA) playoffs.

The Oilers played the very first game in WHA history under Kinasewich, a 7-4 victory over the Nationals in Ottawa. Kinasewich took a leave of absence from his company, Stork Diaper Service, to become the Oilers’ coach.

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