By the Letters: "E"—Excellence in Edmonton and the Esposito Brothers
In the NHL, letter “E” isn't just a vowel; it’s a major character in some of the most storied legacies in hockey history.
Edmonton Dynasty
Letter "E" is synonymous with the Edmonton Oilers, a franchise that fundamentally changed how offensive hockey is played. During the 1980s, the Oilers built a "Five-Cup Dynasty" (1984–1990) that remains the gold standard for dominance. That era in Edmonton was defined by a roster of absolute legends, led by Wayne Gretzky, who essentially rewrote the NHL record books.
Mark Messier brought leadership, Grant Fuhr was pure brilliance in net, and Paul Coffey helped revolutionize the role of the offensive defenseman. Today, that high-octane tradition from Edmonton’s “Dynasty Years” lives on through Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, two superstars carrying Edmonton’s torch into a new generation.
Cool Fact: In 1987, the Edmonton Oilers franchise was the subject of a documentary: The Boys on the Bus.
Exclusive "E" Hall of Famers
Check the Hockey Hall of Fame archives and you’ll find a surprisingly tiny club under letter "E." Despite the number of players who have played professional hockey, Phil Esposito and his brother, Tony Esposito, are the only two players in the Hockey Hall of Fame with surnames starting with letter “E”. While you might see official Chaucer Elliott in the records, the Espositos stand alone in the player category. These brothers were absolute giants of the game. Phil Esposito was the premier goal-scorer of his era, the heart of those Bruins teams that brought two Stanley Cups to Boston (1970; 1972). Meanwhile, Tony Esposito was changing the goalie position forever; he helped pioneer the "butterfly" style, winning a Stanley Cup in Montreal before becoming a legend in the Chicago crease.
Enduring Legacy of Letter “E”
From Edmonton’s Stanley Cup run (5 Stanley Cups in seven seasons) to the hallowed plaques in the Hockey Hall of Fame, letter “E” represents the very top of the mountain. The Edmonton Oilers helped change the sport with pure speed and rewrote the NHL record books throughout their “Dynasty Years”. Meanwhile, Phil and Tony Esposito remain the lone guardians of their “E” section in the Hockey Hall of Fame.
Cool Fact: Phil Esposito won two Hart Memorial Trophies (1969 & 1974).
As we continue to look back at the storied history of the NHL through this “By the Letters” series, it is clear that letter "E" is a permanent fixture in the NHL story.