The Edmonton Oilers hit a jersey milestone on Oct. 27, and it’s one that still stands out in team history.
Twenty-five years ago, the Oilers skated out for the first time in the Oil Drop jersey, the franchise’s first alternate sweater and one of the most recognizable looks they’ve ever worn. The debut came in a 3-2 win over the Vancouver Canucks, with the jersey making an immediate impression on a night that turned into a comeback victory.
Jochen Hecht got Edmonton started six minutes into the second period, but Vancouver answered with two goals before the intermission. The Oilers needed only 13 seconds of the third period to even things up, with Todd Marchant finding the back of the net. Then Anson Carter delivered the winner on the power play with just under four minutes remaining.
Tommy Salo made 23 saves on 25 shots, and Carter, Marchant, Hecht, Daniel Cleary, Mike Grier, Jason Smith, Ryan Smyth, and Janne Niinimaa all recorded a point.
The jersey, designed by Todd McFarlane, appeared 13 times during the 2001-02 season and stayed in the Oilers’ rotation through the 2006-07 season, right up until the Reebok Edge era began.
That look came during a stretch when Edmonton missed the playoffs in 2001-02 before returning the next season and falling to the Dallas Stars in six games. Along with the navy blue and copper jerseys of that period, the Oil Drop fits into a distinct chapter of Oilers history, wedged between the dynasty years of the 1980s and the McDavid era.
The Oil Drop concept did come back in 2022-23, though only in a modified form. The logo stayed the same in principle, but the drop itself turned orange, and the jerseys swapped out grey for orange. Edmonton wore that version five times.
And based on what’s been shown so far, the Oil Drop doesn’t seem to be part of the Oilers’ Hometown Remix jerseys, which is a miss for anyone who still ranks it among the best hockey sweaters ever made.
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Oilers Suddenly Face A Battle Of Alberta Lineup Question
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For the Oilers, the timing matters because the roster has already been in a state of flux, and any fresh availability can change how the lineup is built heading into a rivalry game. There are still moving parts, though, and one of the bigger questions now is whether Edmonton can count on a pair of familiar names being ready to slot in when the stakes get high. [Read more 🡒]
Oilers Linked To Young Winger But One Trade Hurdle Remains
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Ekholm Return Nears As Oilers Wait On One Crucial Decision
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Jason Dickinson is also inching toward a comeback after sitting out most of the season with injuries, but the Oilers still do not have firm return dates for either player. Edmonton continues to navigate a broader injury picture that includes Zach Hyman, Devon Levi, Matt Savoie and Frederik Andersen, and the next question is whether Ekholm is ready in time for a marquee Battle of Alberta test Wednesday night. [Read more 🡒]