1975-1976 Edmonton Oilers
1975-1976 Coach: Clare Drake (18-28-2), Bill Hunter (9-21-3) EDMONTON Record: 27-49-5, 59 points OILERS Finish: 4th, Canadian Division Playoffs: Lost in First Round to Winnipeg 1975-76 would be the end of an era in Oiler hockey: the last year of the Bill Hunter regime. The Oilers had been an average club in its first three seasons, wearing out two coaches, Ray Kinasewich in 1973 and Brian Shaw in 1975, each time Bill Hunter replacing them in the season’s final weeks. This time, former University of Alberta coach Clare Drake would be given the reins, but he could only make it into February before Hunter once again stepped in, replacing Drake as the team’s coach. The Oilers were thin, with a solid first line and no depth, and a porous defense. Rusty Patenaude was always good for a couple dozen goals, and this year was his best, with a team-leading 42. Ex-Whaler Tim Sheehy scored 34, and former Maple Leaf Norm Ullman scored 31, with a team- leading 82 points. Al Hamilton was lost for 28 games and scored just twice. The sieve-like defense allowed 345 goals against, and the Oilers finished a poor 27-49-5, with Hunter’s record 9-21-3. Despite their poor record, the Oilers did make the playoffs, but were soundly clobbered in the opening round by eventual champs Winnipeg. At season’s end, the team was struggling financially, and Hunter’s heavy-handed tactics had worn thin. The team was purchased by Nelson Skalbania and Mitch Klimove, and would teeter financially for another season before getting its act together in 1977 under Peter Pocklington and Glen Sather.
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