May 19th, 1984

[Anie]

Was the day that the Edmonton Oilers won their first Stanley Cup, where one truly amazing dynasty existed which we call the glory years. Most of the players were in their mid twenties and who knew what road they would eventually embark on back then, our city knew they were on the road to many great things and that there was something truly remarkable and special with this group. They went on to win four more Stanley Cup Championships, the oldest trophy to win in North America. Many of them made it to the Hockey Hall of Fame, like Gretzky, Messier, Kurri, Coffey, Fuhr and Anderson. They had a tremendous amount of success and they also went on to have successful careers. One thing is for certain, they will look back on this day and remember the first time they touched the most coveted trophy, their dreams since childhood has came true on this day.

5 years before 1984, the Edmonton Oilers joined the NHL along with 3 other WHA teams, the Oilers are the only team to remain in it’s original city while the others have moved. During those 5 years were also exciting to witness when the Oilers first joined the league, they went on to make the playoffs in their first year as a franchise but lost to the Flyers, Gretzky having 50 points in 39 games and breaking other records along with that. One year before, the Oilers have met the Islanders in the Stanley Cup Final and got swept away. One lesson went on to the Edmonton Oilers after that, they learned what it takes to win. Gretzky walked by the Isles dressing room and noticed how exhausted and tired the guys were in that room and the young Oilers group were just fine, work ethic is what will make them from good to great. That is what I love about that dynasty, they gave it their all and they had shown a lot of work ethic to create their success.

After the first Stanley Cup win, the city was full of life and excitement, Edmontonians really knew how to party and celebrate. No one in this city would have ever thought of Edmonton being the city where the Stanley Cup would be won. There are many great stories of what happened to the Stanley Cup in Edmonton, like how the Oilers players made it a tradition of going with it to a random bar every night while the Stanley Cup stayed with the players that summer, Edmontonians spent a lot of time with the cup, touching it, holding it, drinking from it. In those days there was no person with white gloves guarding the Cup with rules of where it could go or couldn’t go. The players celebrated along with us fans which made it extra special since the fans could touch something which is so sacred to them, some people cry at it’s presence. One night the Stanley Cup had a rough night after being with Semenko, it broke! The base and the bowl were separated and a mechanic fixed it up all better. There was also a time where the Stanley Cup was on stage in a strip club, a best man in a player’s wedding and many other stories which I am sure if you talk to people in this city, they will tell you something about those years. Also one more thing which was truly amazing was 200,000 people to see the parade with Gretzky in a car with the cup driving across the parade route in Edmonton in 1984. One attitude was brought to the city, the Cup belonged to the fans as well as the players.

I wasn’t able to witness it since I wasn’t born yet but when I hear stories of the history of the franchise I cannot help but be a proud fan, also a proud Edmontonian, this city would have never been the way it is now without the Oilers in it, they helped create the identity of us being the city of champions.

 

[USF Sam]

Very nice piece, Anie.

It was like that in Tampa when the Bucs won the Super Bowl. Likewise in 95 when the Braves won the World Series.

However, this line...

I wasn’t able to witness it since I wasn’t born yet...

... God, I feel old now.

 

[canidae]

Can you speak Tikkanese?

 

[Anie]

I was reading a piece about how it was 25 years since Edmonton won it's first Cup, every time I hear about the dynasty I get chills down my spine since it's something which is very special to this city, also fans and myself.
The Oilers are only 30 years old as a franchise, we made it to the finals 7 times, won 5 and have many stories which are just wonderful and truly amazing, there is a reason why I picked the Oilers as my team, they make themselves a part of this city. Players often help out in the children's hospital, help foundations and many organizations, this city has a big heart.

 

[Anie]

... God, I feel old now.

Awwwww.... *gives you a great big hug*

Can you speak Tikkanese?

Huh? I is confused, no I don't speak that.

 

[canidae]

Huh? I is confused, no I don't speak that.

Esa Tikkanen came to the Oilers in '85. His accent was so difficult to understand, even his teammates couldn't understand what he was saying. They called it Tikkanese

 

[Anie]

Esa Tikkanen came to the Oilers in '85. His accent was so difficult to understand, even his teammates couldn't understand what he was saying. They called it Tikkanese

Ahh okay, for a moment I thought it was a real language and I didn't think of Esa, I wouldn't know how heavy his accent is, I was born in 87. Hard to remember when you're a baby

 

[canidae]

Ahh okay, for a moment I thought it was a real language and I didn't think of Esa, I wouldn't know how heavy his accent is, I was born in 87.

I can't remember, i think he was traded in '93. So you were around 7 then I guess.

 

[Anie]

I can't remember, i think he was traded in '93. So you were around 7 then I guess.

By then I was focused on playing in dirt, watching hockey occassionally with Grandpa, wreaking Barbies and being a total tom boy in the farm

 

[canidae]

By then I was focused on playing in dirt, watching hockey occassionally with Grandpa, wreaking Barbies and being a total tom boy in the farm

I thought you might be already watching hockey then. I started to get into it when it was on ESPN in the early 80's. Before then, you really coulnd't watch any games unless you had a huge satellite dish in the backyard.

 

[Anie]

I thought you might be already watching hockey then. I started to get into it when it was on ESPN in the early 80's. Before then, you really coulnd't watch any games unless you had a huge satellite dish in the backyard.

It was probably 1994 or else 1995 while watching the Avs in the playoffs where I finally started watching it consistently because my late Grandpa loved it, he also was a huge Avs fan and I loved sharing those moments with him watching hockey he was excited and happy, that made me want to be with him since I liked seeing him having fun. That was when I started to know the rules and watch the playoffs every year, also getting to know players, I still love Sakic to this day. When I was a teen, I didn't watch it as much but after my Grandpa died, I wanted a distraction and hockey has been it and I still remember the nights I sat beside him yelling and screaming, also crying over who lost or won. So in a way it's a place where I can sit back, enjoy a rum and coke and be left at peace without anyone bugging me.

 

[canidae]

It was probably 1994 or else 1995 while watching the Avs in the playoffs where I finally started watching it consistently because my late Grandpa loved it, he also was a huge Avs fan and I loved sharing those moments with him watching hockey he was excited and happy, that made me want to be with him since I liked seeing him having fun. That was when I started to know the rules and watch the playoffs every year, also getting to know players, I still love Sakic to this day. When I was a teen, I didn't watch it as much but after my Grandpa died, I wanted a distraction and hockey has been it and I still remember the nights I sat beside him yelling and screaming, also crying over who lost or won. So in a way it's a place where I can sit back, enjoy a rum and coke and be left at peace without anyone bugging me.

I need to get back into watching it. I missed last year and most of this year as well. In the last few years we've been on the road making one trip or another and I'd watch the playoffs in the motel room, staying up way passed the time I needed to go to bed - and of course all the games went into multiple overtimes.

And it looks like it will be a team I don't hate that will win the cup this year, which is kind of boring - it's always more fun when your want a team you despise to lose

It's cool you had someone like your grandpa to watch with. That had to make it special. Kinf of reminds me of when I'd watch football with my dad.

 

[Anie]

I need to get back into watching it. I missed last year and most of this year as well. In the last few years we've been on the road making one trip or another and I'd watch the playoffs in the motel room, staying up way passed the time I needed to go to bed - and of course all the games went into multiple overtimes.

And it looks like it will be a team I don't hate that will win the cup this year, which is kind of boring - it's always more fun when your want a team you despise to lose

It's cool you had someone like your grandpa to watch with. That had to make it special. Kinf of reminds me of when I'd watch football with my dad.

I missed last season with the Oilers which was okay since my stress levels were getting wayyy over the limit on how much they sucked. I have like ten white hairs now :24:

I love multiple overtimes during the playoffs, oh man I have a great memory of being a kid, wayyy past my bedtime being forced to go to bed by my Grandpa, then I noticed he was STILL watching, so I snuck in the living room, watched it on the floor behind his chair.

I despise the Canes because of 2006 and I never liked the Pens, the Wings are boring at how successful they are for 15 years and I want the Hawks to do well

Yeah, same thing, but with Canada's past time, hockey

 

[canidae]

I missed last season with the Oilers which was okay since my stress levels were getting wayyy over the limit on how much they sucked. I have like ten white hairs now :24:

I love multiple overtimes during the playoffs, oh man I have a great memory of being a kid, wayyy past my bedtime being forced to go to bed by my Grandpa, then I noticed he was STILL watching, so I snuck in the living room, watched it on the floor behind his chair.

I despise the Canes because of 2006 and I never liked the Pens, the Wings are boring at how successful they are for 15 years and I want the Hawks to do well

Yeah, same thing, but with Canada's past time, hockey

I hate just about any team that wins consistently. I'll dump a team when it wins the championship all the time. I suppose the only team I'd still like would be local ones, like the coyotes here - but it's not like I'm going to have the problem of them winning too much :24:

Don't like the Devils, loved the North Stars and now hate the Stars, not a big Islanders fan but love the Rangers, hate the Ducks, their such a mickey mouse team Canes I can take or leave, the other three I's ok with, but wouln't mind seeing the Hawks win it.

 

[Anie]

I hate just about any team that wins consistently. I'll dump a team when it wins the championship all the time. I suppose the only team I'd still like would be local ones, like the coyotes here - but it's not like I'm going to have the problem of them winning too much :24:

Don't like the Devils, loved the North Stars and now hate the Stars, not a big Islanders fan but love the Rangers, hate the Ducks, their such a mickey mouse team Canes I can take or leave, the other three I's ok with, but wouln't mind seeing the Hawks win it.

I am annoyed with how successful the Wings are at this point, it's like... come on... AGAIN, I want to see something a bit different, for once, please? As far as the Yotes, as long as you have the same management, then yeah, not so bright future with them, I want them to move to another climate which is colder anyway

I only like Broduer out of the Devils, their system is boring as hell. It works but man oh man *yawns*
Stars I really dislike, especially Modano. Isles are just wayyy too stupid, I mean come on, they traded Luongo for garbage! Also other many talented players. Also they make veryyyy stupid contracts. I don't like the Rangers because of Avery although I am in love with Henrik. Hawks I wouldn't mind seeing them being successful, they are just the one team which has a lot of young western Canadian talent and I will always root for players who are from western Canada

 

[canidae]

I am annoyed with how successful the Wings are at this point, it's like... come on... AGAIN, I want to see something a bit different, for once, please? As far as the Yotes, as long as you have the same management, then yeah, not so bright future with them, I want them to move to another climate which is colder anyway

I only like Broduer out of the Devils, their system is boring as hell. It works but man oh man *yawns*
Stars I really dislike, especially Modano. Isles are just wayyy too stupid, I mean come on, they traded Luongo for garbage! Also other many talented players. Also they make veryyyy stupid contracts. I don't like the Rangers because of Avery although I am in love with Henrik. Hawks I wouldn't mind seeing them being successful, they are just the one team which has a lot of young western Canadian talent and I will always root for players who are from western Canada

Yeah, it had been awhile since the Wings won before '96, and then they seem to always at least be in the playoffs. Before then it was the Oilers that won seemingly all the time, 5 out of 7 years :eek

I dislike Modano as well, and when he played with Barnaby - I still get all riled up when I think of it :24:

And Avery too, bleh. The Stars had a mess of players I despised. It drove me nuts when I found out Hull was playing for them.

 

[Anie]

Yeah, it had been awhile since the Wings won before '96, and then they seem to always at least be in the playoffs. Before then it was the Oilers that won seemingly all the time, 5 out of 7 years :eek

I dislike Modano as well, and when he played with Barnaby - I still get all riled up when I think of it :24:

And Avery too, bleh. The Stars had a mess of players I despised. It drove me nuts when I found out Hull was playing for them.

Yeah, it was around '95 or '96 that the Wings beat the Hawks in a series and the Hawks never been in there since until now, so I read somewhere. 5 out of 6, since 2006 wasn't before the mid 90's Now we're teh suck, worst years ever played was played in the past three years, sooo glad change is going to happen, weee!

I just never liked him, along with what's his name... Lindros. Hull... yeah... enough said about him, he's a jerk.

Avery is just, well... Avery... I mean come on, the dude called Elisha Cuthbert sloppy seconds...

 

[canidae]

Yeah, it was around '95 or '96 that the Wings beat the Hawks in a series and the Hawks never been in there since until now, so I read somewhere. 5 out of 6, since 2006 wasn't before the mid 90's Now we're teh suck, worst years ever played was played in the past three years, sooo glad change is going to happen, weee!

I just never liked him, along with what's his name... Lindros. Hull... yeah... enough said about him, he's a jerk.

Avery is just, well... Avery... I mean come on, the dude called Elisha Cuthbert sloppy seconds...

Wings still have most of their core players left from some years ago. It's good to see they havn't all been lost to trades and whatnot. It seems nowadays a lot of players are in some constant trade between teams, Every year I'm saying 'what, he's play for them now' :willy_nilly:

I like Lindros at first, until he kept getting knocked out

Some players should never be given the mike or put on TV. Their hockey players for cryin out loud, what do people expect them to say, if not something outlandish. I would hate that part of playing, the interviews and such. I'd tell everyone to fuck off most times