Canada—the Oilers' Impact on the Nation

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The Edmonton Oilers generated nationwide interest after announcing they would play the Montreal Canadiens in the outdoor Heritage Classic on November 22, 2003.

Edmonton Oilers Legacy - International Impact

Fans were intrigued with the National Hockey League allowing a regular season game to be played outside at Edmonton’s Commonwealth Stadium. They were also enthralled to hear there would be an Oilers/Canadiens alumni game.

Players from both franchise’s glory years would suit up for the ultimate old-timers game.

For fans of both teams, it would be a chance to rekindle Canada’s two most recent NHL dynasties.

While the Canadiens soared in the 1970s, the Oilers owned the 1980s. The Canadiens captured six Stanley Cups in their decade of domination, including four in a row from 1976-1979, while the Oilers claimed five in seven seasons.

Making their Mark

Ironically, Edmonton won its first NHL playoff series over Montreal in 1981.

The Canadiens were just two years removed from their last Cup, and the hockey world took notice when Edmonton emerged victorious. Led by Wayne Gretzky, Mark Messier, Paul Coffey and Jari Kurri, the upstart Oilers had just completed their second NHL season after coming over from the defunct World Hockey Association (WHA).

The Quebec Nordiques and Winnipeg Jets were the other Canadian entries from the WHA.

The Oilers had more appeal based on their immediate success and the geographical backgrounds of their star players. It seemed the team represented each region of the country in some way or another.

Gretzky was from Brantford, Ontario, and had played his junior hockey with the Peterborough Petes and Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. Coffey, a native of Weston, Ontario, starred for Sault Ste. Marie and the Kitchener Rangers after Gretzky jumped to the WHA.

Local fans were drawn to Messier, who was born in Edmonton and played junior hockey in St. Albert and Spruce Grove. Goalie Grant Fuhr hailed from Spruce Grove and played his junior hockey with the Victoria Cougars.

The team’s other goalie, Andy Moog, came from Penticton, British Columbia, where he also played junior hockey. Kevin Lowe, a native of Lachute, Quebec, had played junior hockey with the Quebec Remparts.

Dave Semenko, an enforcer who played left-wing on Gretzky’s line, was born in Winnipeg.

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