Edmonton Oilers
Also known as Alberta Oilers, Oilers
National Hockey League team in Alberta
Key facts
- Conference
- Western
- Division
- Pacific
- History
- Alberta Oilers , 1972–1973 ( WHA ), Edmonton Oilers , 1973 – 1979 (WHA), 1979 –present ( NHL )
- Home arena
- Rogers Place
- City
- Edmonton , Alberta
- Team colours
- Royal blue, orange, white
- Media
- Sportsnet West , Sportsnet Oilers , Citytv Edmonton , 880 CHED
- Owner
- OEG Inc.
- General manager
- Stan Bowman
- Head coach
- Vacant
- Captain
- Connor McDavid
- Minor league affiliates
- Bakersfield Condors ( AHL ), Fort Wayne Komets ( ECHL )
Article
The Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton. The Oilers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division in the Western Conference. They play their home games at Rogers Place, which opened in 2016. The Oilers are one of two NHL franchises based in Alberta, the other being the Calgary Flames. Their proximity has led to a fierce rivalry known as the "Battle of Alberta".
The Oilers were founded in 1971 by W. D. "Wild Bill" Hunter and Dr. Chuck Allard and played its first season in 1972–73 as one of the 12 founding franchises of the major professional World Hockey Association (WHA). They were intended to be one of two WHA Alberta teams along with the Calgary Broncos. However, when the Broncos relocated and became the Cleveland Crusaders before the WHA's first season began, the team was named the Alberta Oilers. They were renamed the Edmonton Oilers the following year and subsequently joined the NHL in 1979 as one of four franchises absorbed through the NHL–WHA merger.