What Did Glen Sather Mean to the Edmonton Oilers?

When you think of the Edmonton Oilers’ glory days, names like Gretzky and Messier immediately pop into your head. But there’s someone behind the scenes just as important: Glen Sather. He wasn’t just the coach or GM—he was the guy who took a struggling team and turned them into one of the greatest dynasties in hockey history. So, what did Sather really mean to the Oilers? Let’s dig in.

The Man Who Built the Oilers Dynasty

Before those Stanley Cups started rolling in, the Oilers were pretty much the new kids trying to figure things out. Glen Sather showed up in 1976 during the WHA days as a player-coach—not exactly a flashy title, but perfect for a guy with a sharp hockey brain. When the Oilers joined the NHL in ’79, he got a rare gig: both head coach and GM. That meant he had the power to shape the team however he wanted. What made Sather different? At a time when NHL teams leaned on big, tough players and grinding defense, Sather asked, “Why not build a team that’s fast and creative?” And that’s exactly what he did. It wasn’t just smart—it was game-changing.

How Glen Sather Put Gretzky and Friends on the Map

Everyone knows Wayne Gretzky was something special. But one guy can’t win a dynasty alone. Sather got that early on. After landing Gretzky, he surrounded him with talent—guys like Mark Messier, Jari Kurri, Paul Coffey, and Grant Fuhr. These weren’t just good players; they were a group with chemistry, confidence, and a style that made fans sit up and take notice. Sather gave these guys freedom to play their game but also kept things disciplined. It’s a balance that’s tough to pull off, but it’s what helped the Oilers dominate.

Five Stanley Cups—And Why They Mattered

From 1984 to 1990, the Oilers won five Stanley Cups. Four of those were with Sather behind the bench. When he stepped down as coach in ’89 to focus on managing, the team kept winning. That 1990 Cup, won after Gretzky was traded, showed just how strong the foundation Sather built really was. He built a winning team that played with speed, skill, and heart. They didn’t just win—they changed how hockey was played.

Keeping the Team Together When Times Got Tough

Of course, things aren’t always smooth. The 1990s hit Edmonton hard financially, and keeping a small-market team competitive is no easy task. Stars left, and the Oilers struggled to stay near the top. But through it all, Sather stuck around, trying to hold the team together Eventually, in 2000, he moved on to the New York Rangers. But by then, his fingerprints were all over the Oilers’ identity.

Why Glen Sather Is Still a Huge Part of Edmonton’s Hockey Heart

So, what did Glen Sather mean to the Oilers? Simply put: everything. He wasn’t just a coach or GM—he was the guy who created one of hockey’s greatest teams of all-time. More than that, he gave Edmonton an identity. The Oilers of the 1980s weren’t just a team; they were a group of players who dared to play differently, led by a guy who believed in them, and he let them play. When Edmonton raised a banner for Sather in 2015, it wasn’t just about the Stanley Cups or Hall of Fame honors. It was about respect for the architect who gave the Oil Country the blueprint to dream big—and win big. From the very first whistle to the banners hanging in the rafters, Glen Sather’s impact is everywhere. Without him, the Oilers dynasty never happens. And that’s why, to Oilers fans, he means the world.