Eight current and former Edmonton Oilers have landed on the Canadian Hockey League’s Top 50 Players of All-Time list - a nod to just how deep the franchise’s roots run through junior hockey’s most storied pipeline. While the list isn’t final (fans can vote on their own top 10 through March 10), the inclusion of these names already paints a vivid picture of the Oilers’ legacy across the CHL.
Let’s break it down - not just who made the list, but why their junior careers were so impactful and how they set the stage for what came next.
Wayne Gretzky - Forward (OHL, Peterborough Petes & Soo Greyhounds, 1977-78)
The Great One’s CHL story is short but unforgettable. Gretzky dipped into the Ontario Major Junior Hockey League (as it was known then) with a brief three-game stint for the Peterborough Petes in 1976-77, notching three assists.
But it was his full season with the Soo Greyhounds the following year that turned heads. He racked up 70 goals and 182 points - yes, in just one season - before jumping to the WHA and ultimately the NHL.
That kind of production doesn’t just get remembered; it becomes legend.
Paul Coffey - Defenseman (OHL, Kingston Canadians, Soo Greyhounds & Kitchener Rangers, 1977-80)
Coffey’s CHL journey was a bit more winding, but no less impressive. He started with Kingston, moved to the Soo, and finished with the Kitchener Rangers.
Across 151 games, he piled up 48 goals and 195 points - an offensive force from the blue line before that was common. Drafted sixth overall by the Oilers in 1980, Coffey brought that same dynamic style to the NHL, where he’d become one of the most prolific defensemen in league history.
Grant Fuhr - Goaltender (WHL, Victoria Cougars, 1979-81)
Before he was backstopping the Oilers to Stanley Cups, Fuhr was dominating in the WHL. Over two seasons with the Victoria Cougars, he posted a combined 78-21-1 record with save percentages of .911 and .908 - elite numbers in any era, especially for a teenager.
His calm presence and athleticism were already on display, setting the tone for a Hall of Fame career. Edmonton snagged him eighth overall in 1981, and the rest is history.
Chris Pronger - Defenseman (OHL, Peterborough Petes, 1991-93)
Pronger was a force in the OHL before he ever threw a bone-crushing hit in the NHL. In just two seasons with the Peterborough Petes, he scored 32 goals and 139 points in 124 games - a rare blend of size, skill, and smarts. Drafted second overall by Hartford, he’d eventually suit up for the Oilers during their 2006 Stanley Cup Final run, adding another chapter to his already impressive résumé.
Corey Perry - Forward (OHL, London Knights, 2001-05)
Perry’s four-year run with the London Knights was nothing short of dominant. He scored 140 goals and 380 points in 253 games, peaking with a 47-goal, 130-point season in 2004-05.
That year, he helped lead the Knights to both the OHL title and a Memorial Cup win. Drafted by Anaheim in 2003, Perry became a Stanley Cup champion, Hart Trophy winner, and one of the game’s most competitive forwards - but it all started with that electric Knights team.
Taylor Hall - Forward (OHL, Windsor Spitfires, 2007-10)
Hall’s junior career is the stuff of Spitfires lore. Across three seasons, he was a consistent scoring machine: 45 goals and 94 points as a rookie, 38 and 90 in year two, and 40 and 106 in his final campaign.
But it wasn’t just the numbers - it was the hardware. Hall helped Windsor win back-to-back OHL and Memorial Cup championships, earning MVP honors at both tournaments.
Drafted first overall by the Oilers in 2010, he brought that same high-octane style to the NHL, even if his pro career has been more nomadic.
Connor McDavid - Forward (OHL, Erie Otters, 2012-15)
McDavid entered the OHL with sky-high expectations and somehow exceeded them. His rookie year saw him post 66 points in 63 games - and that was just the beginning.
He followed up with 99 points in year two, then exploded for 44 goals and 120 points in just 47 games in his final season. While his Otters didn’t capture a Memorial Cup, McDavid led Canada to gold at the 2015 World Juniors and solidified himself as the next generational talent.
The Oilers made him the top pick in 2015, and he’s been the face of the franchise ever since.
Leon Draisaitl - Forward (WHL, Prince Albert Raiders & Kelowna Rockets, 2012-15)
Draisaitl’s path to the top wasn’t linear, but it was impressive. After a solid 58-point rookie year with Prince Albert, he broke out with 38 goals and 105 points in his draft season.
The Oilers took him third overall in 2014, and he made the NHL roster the next fall. But after a brief stint in Edmonton, he was sent back to juniors - this time to Kelowna - where he posted 53 points in 32 games and helped the Rockets win the WHL championship.
That extra year of seasoning proved crucial in shaping the dominant two-way force he is today.
The CHL’s Top 50 list isn’t just a celebration of junior hockey excellence - it’s a reminder of how many great players passed through the league on their way to NHL stardom. For the Oilers, these eight names represent different eras, different styles, and different stories - but all left their mark on junior hockey in a big way.
Fans now have a chance to weigh in and vote for their own top 10 all-time CHL players. With names like Gretzky, McDavid, and Perry on the ballot, it’s not going to be easy. But that’s the beauty of a list like this - it sparks conversation, nostalgia, and appreciation for the journey these players took to reach the top.