Edmonton—A Love Affair with the River City—Page 2

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Over time, the Oilers success has been Edmonton’s success. However, negative results have the potential to adversely affect the local economy, specifically the hospitality industry. When Edmonton missed 2001-02 playoffs, one restaurant manager on trendy Whyte Avenue estimated the company lost thousands of dollars in expected revenue.

"We rely on the success of the Oilers to make a profit," Elephant & Castle manager Greg Crawford says. "If they’re not doing well then people don’t come out."

"Edmonton lives and dies with hockey. It always has been that way and it always will be."

Although Edmonton has a small-market reputation, the players understand  the city expects much from them.

"It’s a hockey town," says popular bruiser Georges Laraque. "Fans know they’re hockey pretty good here. They appreciate the players who show up every game. If you’re not delivering, they’ll react to it. Every year they expect the team to make the playoffs. The pressure you have is to play to your best capabilities because they’re not afraid to point fingers when things don’t go right. It’s very important that all year, you’re the type of player, when the season’s done, they can say that guy did whatever he could."

"Playing in Edmonton, there’s pressure because it’s a Canadian city and hockey’s number one here," says former Oiler winger Bill Guerin. "You have to perform or else it’s not gonna go real well. I think the one thing in playing in Edmonton that I got was that you have to work hard and you have to show that you care."

"And then people will accept you and like you."

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