THIS NEW WEEK : Oilers to honour former coach Glen Sather with banner at Rexall Place.see more details.
THIS NEW WEEK: Oilers to Honour Former Coach Glen Sather with Banner at Rexall Place
The Edmonton Oilers are set to pay tribute to one of the most influential figures in franchise history—legendary coach, executive, and architect of their 1980s dynasty—Glen Sather. In a moment that has been long anticipated by fans and alumni alike, the Oilers will raise a banner in Sather’s honour to the rafters of Rexall Place (also known historically as Northlands Coliseum), commemorating his unparalleled contributions to the organization. The banner ceremony will take place during a special event this week and is expected to draw hockey royalty, former Oilers greats, and thousands of emotional fans.
A Legacy Etched in Gold and Blue
Glen Sather’s name is synonymous with the rise of the Edmonton Oilers as one of the NHL’s most iconic franchises. He served as the team’s head coach, general manager, and president during the club’s most successful period, guiding the Oilers to five Stanley Cup championships between 1984 and 1990.
Initially taking over as head coach in the WHA in 1976, Sather transitioned with the club into the NHL in 1979. His influence was immediate and profound. He quickly became known not only for his coaching intellect but also for his unique ability to identify and develop young talent. He had the foresight to build around a teenage Wayne Gretzky, who would go on to become the NHL’s greatest player. Under Sather’s leadership, the Oilers developed a roster that included future Hall of Famers such as Mark Messier, Jari Kurri, Paul Coffey, Grant Fuhr, Glenn Anderson, and others.
The Dynasty Builder
What made Sather unique wasn’t just his talent evaluation, but his progressive approach to the game. He allowed his players freedom to express creativity and offensive brilliance—something that was rare in an era dominated by physical, grind-it-out hockey. His teams played fast, moved the puck with flair, and redefined the sport.
Between 1984 and 1990, the Oilers won five Stanley Cups in seven years. Sather was either behind the bench or in the front office for all of them. The dynasty was marked by overwhelming offensive production, team camaraderie, and strategic brilliance—all under Sather’s guidance. Even after the shocking Gretzky trade in 1988, Sather kept the Oilers competitive, winning another Cup in 1990 with Messier at the helm.
A Banner Long Overdue
The decision to raise a banner for Glen Sather is one that Oilers fans and hockey historians agree is long overdue. While his contributions have been recognized at the league level—he was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1997 as a builder—this team-level honour at Rexall Place adds a deeply personal and emotional dimension.
“This is about honouring the man who built the foundation of our franchise,” said Oilers chairman Daryl Katz. “There would be no Oilers legacy without Glen Sather. His vision, his loyalty to the city, and his passion for the game transformed Edmonton into a hockey powerhouse.”
The banner will hang alongside those of the legends Sather helped cultivate—Gretzky, Messier, Kurri, Fuhr, Anderson, and Coffey—solidifying his place among them as the architect behind it all.
Expected Attendees and Tribute Events
The banner-raising ceremony is expected to be a star-studded affair. Confirmed attendees include Wayne Gretzky, Mark Messier, Kevin Lowe, and other members of the Oilers’ Cup-winning teams. The current Oilers roster, led by Connor McDavid, will also be present to honour the legacy that paved the way for today’s team.
The evening will include video tributes, live speeches from former players, and a special pre-game ceremony. A commemorative program will be distributed to fans in attendance, detailing Sather’s career and impact on the franchise.
Additionally, Oilers Entertainment Group (OEG) announced a “Sather Legacy Week,” which will feature:
A mini-documentary series on Sather’s career on Oilers TV
Special edition merchandise
Public fan exhibits at Ice District
A charity gala dinner, with proceeds going to the Glen Sather Sports Medicine Clinic and youth hockey initiatives in Edmonton
Sather’s Reaction
Glen Sather, now retired from hockey and living in British Columbia, expressed heartfelt gratitude upon learning of the team’s plans.
“It’s an incredible honour,” Sather said in a statement. “Edmonton has always felt like home. The Oilers were more than a team—we were a family, and the city embraced us. I’m humbled to be remembered this way.”
Though known for his intense competitive spirit and sharp wit, Sather is also beloved for his mentorship, loyalty to his players, and strong moral compass. Many of his former players have said Sather was like a second father to them—demanding but deeply caring, always pushing them to be their best on and off the ice.
A Moment for the Ages
For a new generation of Oilers fans, this ceremony will be a window into the team’s storied past. For longtime supporters, it’s a long-awaited celebration of a man who gave everything to Edmonton hockey. As the banner is slowly lifted to the rafters of Rexall Place, a wave of nostalgia and gratitude is sure to sweep across the crowd.
In honouring Glen Sather, the Edmonton Oilers are not just celebrating a coach or an executive—they’re commemorating the very spirit of their golden era. The man who helped raise five Stanley Cups now gets a banner of his own, finally and forever cemented in Oilers history.