The Edmonton Oilers have made headlines in the 2023-24 NHL season with their incredible run to the Stanley Cup Final. The team fell just short of achieving what only one other team in history has accomplished – the 1942 Toronto Maple Leafs, who came back to win the Cup after being down three games to none. The Oilers’ legendary playoff performance will be etched in the memories of fans for years to come.
But how did the Oilers get to where they are now? How did this team, with such a rich history, come into existence in the first place? Let’s take a deep dive into the long and winding road that led the Edmonton Oilers to the 2024 Stanley Cup Final.
In 1971, Bill Hunter, one of the co-founders of the World Hockey Association (WHA), set his sights on creating a professional hockey league to rival the NHL. His vision was to bring hockey to markets that the NHL had overlooked, offering both players and fans a new alternative. With strong local connections and persuasive skills, Hunter garnered support from Edmonton’s business community and hockey fans, showcasing the city as a viable market for professional hockey.
Hunter played a crucial role in organizing the team’s operations, securing financial backing, building a competitive roster, and generating excitement around the Oilers. The WHA team initially called themselves the Alberta Oilers, playing out of Edmonton to widen the team’s reach beyond the city’s small population base.
Despite playing their early seasons in the modest Gardens arena, fan support for the Oilers was unwavering. The team’s performance in the WHA was average, but Hunter’s recruitment strategy, which offered higher salaries and more player freedom, attracted notable talent to Edmonton. NHL veterans like Al Hamilton, Eddie Joyal, and Cowboy Bill Flett, alongside rising star Wayne Gretzky, helped shape the team’s early success.
The Oilers’ journey from their humble beginnings to the bright lights of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final is a testament to the resilience and dedication of a franchise built on passion and perseverance. As the team continues to captivate fans with their on-ice prowess, one thing remains certain – the Edmonton Oilers are a force to be reckoned with in the hockey universe.
