hired former Boston Bruin and Kansas City Scout coach The 1978-79 club was once again playing break-even Armand “Bep” Guidolin to rebuild the struggling Oilers for hockey when Pocklington made the most significant move in 1976-77. Guidolin was a busy man as general manager, making the franchise’s history, purchasing 17-year old Wayne Gretzky deal after deal, but the transient Oilers failed to gel under from the faltering Indianapolis Racers in November. Nelson Guidolin the coach. He stepped aside as coach in February Skalbania’s situation in Indianapolis was so desperate he chose 1977 and selected forward Glen Sather to assume the role. to sell off his prized scoring star, along with valuable Sather, who would assemble and coach a superior Oilers team teammates Peter Driscoll and Ed Mio, to the Oilers for cash. to five NHL Stanley Cups during the 1980s, cut his teeth by Gretzky responded by setting Oiler records with 43 goals, 61 leading the Oilers to a fourth place finish in the Western assists and 104 points. Chipperfield, MacDonald and winger Division and an early exit in the playoffs. Bep Guidolin’s Brett Callighen rounded out the offense, while Dave Dryden involvement with the Oilers ended after the 1976-77 season. had a superlative year in goal, posting 41 wins, three shutouts Peter Pocklington purchased majority control of the team and a 2.89 average. The upstart Oilers went as far as the finals in 1977 from Skalbania, who in turn bought into the of the 1979 playoffs, but a more experienced Winnipeg team Indianapolis franchise (while keeping a minority stake with proved too formidable and the Oilers were beaten in six games. Edmonton). The 1977-78 club continued its rebuilding The Oilers have been members of the National Hockey program and the Oilers finished a respectable 38-39-3 under League since 1979, coming into the NHL as part of that year’s Sather before being eliminated in the playoffs in the first round. merger between the two leagues. During the latter half of the The offense was led by Bill “Cowboy” Flett’s 41 goals, with 1980s, the Oilers were the dominant team in the NHL, winning Ron Chipperfield and Blair MacDonald each meeting the 30- five Stanley Cups (1984, 1985, 1987, 1988, 1990), with goal mark. The defense was anchored by the capable corps of Gretzky and Mark Messier heading an all-star cast of players. Paul Shmyr, Dave Langevin and Al Hamilton, while Dave The Oilers continue to represent Edmonton in the NHL to this Dryden and Don McLeod blocked the pucks in goal. day Chicago Cougars year record points coach finish Statistical Leaders 1972-73: 26-50-2 54 pts Marcel Pronovost 6th, E 1973-74: 38-35-5 81 pts Pat Stapleton, Jacques Demers 4th, E Season: Goals: 42, Gary MacGregor (1974-75); Assists: 63, Bob Sicinski 1974-75: 30-47-1 61 pts Pat Stapleton, Jacques Demers 3rd, E (1972-73); Points: 88, Bob Sicinski (1972-73); Penalty minutes: 157, Larry Mavety (1973-74); Wins: 25, Cam Newton (1973-74); Shutouts: 1, Jim Home Rinks: International Amphitheater (9,000); Randhurst Twin Ice Arena McLeod (1972-73), Cam Newton (1973-74), Dave Dryden (1974-75); Goals (3,000, 1974 playoffs selected dates). Colors: Dark Green, Gold, White. against average: 3.14, Cam Newton (1973-74). Formation: November 1, 1971. Dissolution: May 19, 1975 (most of team chosen by Denver in expansion draft); June 19, 1975 (formal dissolution). All-time: Games: 234, Rosaire Paiement (1972-75); Goals: 89, Rosaire Ownerships: John Tierney (1971), H. Anderson, A. J. Syke (1971), John Paiement (1972-75); Assists: 127, Rosaire Paiement (1972-75); Points: 216, Ladner (1971-72), Jordon H. Kaiser, Walter Kaiser (1972-74); Ralph Rosaire Paiement (1972-75); Penalty minutes: 356, Larry Mavety (1972-75); Backstrom, Dave Dryden, Pat Stapleton, Jeff Rosen (1974-75). General Wins: 37, Cam Newton (1973-75); Shutouts: 1, Jim McLeod (1972-73), Cam Managers: Edwin Short (1972), Walter Kaiser (1972-74), Jacques Demers Newton (1973-74), Dave Dryden (1974-75); Goals against average: 3.32, Jim (Director of Player Personnel (1973-75). McLeod (1972-73).. Placing a team in Chicago, an established NHL market would be the team’s star player that first season, scoring 33 where the Blackhawks were extremely popular, could have goals to lead the team. Minor-leaguer Bobby Sicinski was a been viewed as a risky move, but there were factors working in bright spot, leading the team with 88 points (25 g, 63 a). Former favor of the WHA. Regular sellouts at Blackhawk games Blackhawk Reggie Fleming also joined, having his best season suggested enough fan interest to support a second team, and a as a pro with 23 goals. Marcel Pronovost did the best he could new arena was going to be built in suburban Rosemont, where with a weak squad in his first major-league coaching job, but the new team would presumably be housed. In November the heroics were few and far between. The Cougars started the 1971, a franchise was awarded to John Tierney, but then nearly season with a 2-12-1 record, then closed out on another 2-12-1 six months of inaction, and two more ownership changes, left skid. Chicago finished 26-50-2 and were the only team not to the Chicago team still at ground zero, having signed no players. compete for a playoff berth that first season. In late Spring of 1972, brothers Jordon and Walter Kaiser, Over the Summer of 1973, the Cougars inked two star real-estate developers in the Chicagoland area, took control of players, Pat Stapleton and Ralph Backstrom, both from the the team, and only then did the Cougars begin to take shape. cross-town rival Blackhawks. Backstrom’s pedigree included The delays put the Cougars at a disadvantage, forcing them to years winning the Stanley Cup with Montreal during the 1960s, scramble for players. The Cougars would play at the plus time with the Los Angeles Kings before moving onto the International Amphitheatre for the time being. The older arena Blackhawks in 1971. Stapleton was a long-time star had poor sightlines and was merely a temporary home until the defenseman for the Hawks. Acquiring both gave the second- Rosemont arena was completed. year Cougars instant credibility. Stapleton would assume the Most of the first-year team came from the minor- player-coach role. Assisting him behind the bench was a young professional ranks, and a few from the NHL. Rosaire Paiement Jacques Demers, in the first of what would be many coaching had shown he could score in the NHL with Vancouver, and he roles he would assume in the WHA and later, the NHL. Behind 16 .