1996–97 Edmonton Oilers season

NHL team season March 2026 August 2023 NHL 1996–97 1996 Edmonton Oilers Western 7th Pacific 3rd 36–37–9 21–16–4 15–21–5 252 247 Glen Sather Ron Low Kelly Buchberger Luke RichardsonDoug Weight Edmonton Coliseum 16,043 (93.8%) Hamilton Bulldogs (AHL)Wheeling Nailers (ECHL) Ryan Smyth (39) Doug Weight (61) Doug Weight (82) Bryan Marchment (+13) Kelly Buchberger (159) Curtis Joseph (32) Bob Essensa (2.83) The 1996–97 Edmonton Oilers season was the Oilers' 18th season in the NHL. They were coming off a 30–44–8 record, earning 68 points in the 1995–96 season, which led them to failing to qualify for the post-season for the 4th time in a row. The Oilers had their best season since 1991–92 as they won 36 games and earn 81 points, finishing third place in the Pacific Division and seventh in the Western Conference, earning their first playoff berth in five years. The main reason for the Oilers' turn-around was their solid goaltending and defensive hockey, only allowing 247 goals, 57 fewer than the previous season. Regular season On November 26, 1996, the Oilers defeated their provincial rival Calgary Flames on the road by a score of 10-1.https://www.hockey-reference.com/boxscores/199611260CGY.html Edmonton Oilers at Calgary Flames Box Score — November 26, 1996 Ten different Oilers scored in the game. It was the first time that the Oilers had scored 10 goals in a regular-season game since December 4, 1988, when they defeated the New York Rangers at home by a score of 10-6.https://www.hockey-reference.com/boxscores/198812040EDM.html New York Rangers at Edmonton Oilers Box Score — December 4, 1988 Offensively, Doug Weight led the club once again this season in points, earning 82, and achieved a club high 61 assists. Ryan Smyth had a breakout season, scoring a team high 39 goals and led the team in power play goals with 20. Andrei Kovalenko, acquired in the off-season, scored 32 goals and 59 points, while Jason Arnott earned 57 points in 67 games. Rookie Mike Grier had 32 points in 79 games, and Mariusz Czerkawski finished third on the team in goals with 26. Boris Mironov anchored the defense, earning 32 points in only 55 games. Todd Marchant led the team in short-handed goals with 4. Team captain Kelly Buchberger provided the team toughness, earning a club high 159 penalty minutes. In goal, Curtis Joseph got the majority of playing time, winning 32 games while posting a 2.93 GAA and a .907 save percentage. He set a team record with 6 shutouts. Bob Essensa, despite a strong GAA of 2.83, won only 4 games. The Oilers had the most power-play opportunities during the regular season, with 406 opportunities in total.https://www.hockey-reference.com/leagues/NHL_1997.html 1996-97 NHL Summary Season standings EDM EDM Playoffs The Oilers faced the Central Division winning Dallas Stars in the opening round of the playoffs. After splitting the first 2 games in Dallas, the Oilers returned home for game 3 for their first home playoff game since 1992 and found themselves losing 3–0 with about 4 minutes left in the 3rd period. Edmonton then struck for 3 goals to tie the game, and Kelly Buchberger provided the overtime heroics, as the Oilers won the game 4–3 and take a 2–1 series lead. Dallas tied the series up again in game 4, however, the Oilers shocked the Stars, winning 1–0 in double overtime in the 5th game in Dallas, and returning to Edmonton in a position to clinch the series. The Stars spoiled the Oilers' party, winning the 6th game 3–2, setting up a game 7 at Reunion Arena in Dallas. The game was a memorable one, as the score was tied up at 3 as the teams headed into overtime. Todd Marchant turned out to be the hero, scoring for the Oilers in the 1st overtime, as Edmonton completed the upset, defeating the Stars in 7 games. In the 2nd round, Edmonton faced the defending Stanley Cup champions, the Colorado Avalanche, who won the Pacific Division and had 26 more points than the Oilers during the season. The Avalanche won the opening 2 games easily in Denver, and while the Oilers rebounded to win the 3rd game, the Avs proved to be too much for Edmonton to handle, as they won the series in 5 games, ending the Oilers' season. Schedule and results Regular season background:#fff; border-top:#041E42 5px solid; border-bottom:#AD7C59 5px solid; 1996–97 regular season1996-97 Edmonton Oilers Schedule https://www.hockey-reference.com/teams/EDM/1997_games.html Hockey-Reference.com July 25, 2023 y background:#fff; border-top:#041E42 2px solid; border-bottom:#AD7C59 2px solid; October: 7–5–0 (home: 4–2–0; road: 3–3–0) Game Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Record Pts Recap |- | 1 || October 4 || Buffalo Sabres || 3 – 4 || Edmonton Oilers || || Joseph || 15,236 || 1–0–0 || 2 || 1996020002 W |- | 2 || October 6 || Vancouver Canucks || 0 – 2 || Edmonton Oilers || || Joseph || 15,144 || 2–0–0 || 4 || 1996020018 W |- | 3 || October 8 || Edmonton Oilers || 4 – 2 || Toronto Maple Leafs || || Joseph || 15,424 || 3–0–0 || 6 || 1996020025 W |- | 4 || October 9 || Edmonton Oilers || 0 – 2 || Detroit Red Wings || || Essensa || 19,983 || 3–1–0 || 6 || 1996020030 L |- | 5 || October 11 || St. Louis Blues || 3 – 1 || Edmonton Oilers || || Joseph || 16,145 || 3–2–0 || 6 || 1996020042 L |- | 6 || October 14 || Edmonton Oilers || 6 – 3 || Phoenix Coyotes || || Joseph || 13,916 || 4–2–0 || 8 || 1996020057 W |- | 7 || October 15 || Edmonton Oilers || 2 – 7 || Colorado Avalanche || || Joseph || 16,061 || 4–3–0 || 8 || 1996020063 L |- | 8 || October 20 || Edmonton Oilers || 3 – 6 || Calgary Flames || || Joseph || 16,295 || 4–4–0 || 8 || 1996020091 L |- | 9 || October 22 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 2 – 5 || Edmonton Oilers || || Joseph || 16,536 || 5–4–0 || 10 || 1996020099 W |- | 10 || October 24 || Edmonton Oilers || 8 – 2 || Los Angeles Kings || || Essensa || 10,195 || 6–4–0 || 12 || 1996020111 W |- | 11 || October 26 || Colorado Avalanche || 4 – 2 || Edmonton Oilers || || Joseph || 17,099 || 6–5–0 || 12 || 1996020122 L |- | 12 || October 30 || Phoenix Coyotes || 1 – 4 || Edmonton Oilers || || Joseph || 14,678 || 7–5–0 || 14 || 1996020143 W |- y background:#fff; border-top:#041E42 2px solid; border-bottom:#AD7C59 2px solid; November: 6–7–1 (home: 2–3–1; road: 4–4–0) Game Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Record Pts Recap |- | 13 || November 1 || Vancouver Canucks || 5 – 4 || Edmonton Oilers || OT || Joseph || 16,177 || 7–6–0 || 14 || 1996020154 L |- | 14 || November 3 || Edmonton Oilers || 2 – 4 || Chicago Blackhawks || || Joseph || 16,875 || 7–7–0 || 14 || 1996020166 L |- | 15 || November 6 || Edmonton Oilers || 2 – 5 || Pittsburgh Penguins || || Essensa || 15,159 || 7–8–0 || 14 || 1996020176 L |- | 16 || November 7 || Edmonton Oilers || 6 – 0 || Boston Bruins || || Joseph || 13,643 || 8–8–0 || 16 || 1996020183 W |- | 17 || November 9 || Edmonton Oilers || 3 – 7 || Toronto Maple Leafs || || Joseph || 15,726 || 8–9–0 || 16 || 1996020201 L |- | 18 || November 11 || Edmonton Oilers || 2 – 3 || Montreal Canadiens || OT || Joseph || 20,452 || 8–10–0 || 16 || 1996020208 L |- | 19 || November 13 || Edmonton Oilers || 4 – 0 || Ottawa Senators || || Joseph || 15,312 || 9–10–0 || 18 || 1996020215 W |- | 20 || November 17 || Dallas Stars || 7 – 3 || Edmonton Oilers || || Joseph || 14,574 || 9–11–0 || 18 || 1996020246 L |- | 21 || November 19 || Chicago Blackhawks || 4 – 4 || Edmonton Oilers || OT || Joseph || 14,792 || 9–11–1 || 19 || 1996020256 T |- | 22 || November 21 || New York Rangers || 2 – 3 || Edmonton Oilers || || Joseph || 17,099 || 10–11–1 || 21 || 1996020267 W |- | 23 || November 23 || Calgary Flames || 2 – 3 || Edmonton Oilers || || Joseph || 16,829 || 11–11–1 || 23 || 1996020282 W |- | 24 || November 26 || Edmonton Oilers || 10 – 1 || Calgary Flames || || Joseph || 17,146 || 12–11–1 || 25 || 1996020292 W |- | 25 || November 27 || Los Angeles Kings || 5 – 1 || Edmonton Oilers || || Essensa || 14,039 || 12–12–1 || 25 || 1996020301 L |- | 26 || November 29 || Edmonton Oilers || 4 – 2 || San Jose Sharks || || Joseph || 17,442 || 13–12–1 || 27 || 1996020311 W |- y background:#fff; border-top:#041E42 2px solid; border-bottom:#AD7C59 2px solid; December: 4–7–3 (home: 3–4–1; road: 1–3–2) Game Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Record Pts Recap |- | 27 || December 1 || Edmonton Oilers || 2 – 4 || Mighty Ducks of Anaheim || || Joseph || 16,735 || 13–13–1 || 27 || 1996020326 L |- | 28 || December 4 || Edmonton Oilers || 0 – 2 || Colorado Avalanche || || Joseph || 16,061 || 13–14–1 || 27 || 1996020339 L |- | 29 || December 6 || Ottawa Senators || 2 – 5 || Edmonton Oilers || || Joseph || 15,060 || 14–14–1 || 29 || 1996020352 W |- | 30 || December 8 || St. Louis Blues || 3 – 2 || Edmonton Oilers || || Joseph || 14,922 || 14–15–1 || 29 || 1996020364 L |- | 31 || December 10 || Edmonton Oilers || 0 – 0 || Detroit Red Wings || OT || Joseph || 19,983 || 14–15–2 || 30 || 1996020371 T |- | 32 || December 12 || Edmonton Oilers || 2 – 2 || Tampa Bay Lightning || OT || Joseph || 13,925 || 14–15–3 || 31 || 1996020383 T |- | 33 || December 15 || Edmonton Oilers || 3 – 6 || Florida Panthers || || Essensa || 14,703 || 14–16–3 || 31 || 1996020396 L |- | 34 || December 18 || Colorado Avalanche || 4 – 4 || Edmonton Oilers || OT || Joseph || 16,053 || 14–16–4 || 32 || 1996020418 T |- | 35 || December 20 || New Jersey Devils || 3 – 2 || Edmonton Oilers || || Joseph || 14,692 || 14–17–4 || 32 || 1996020429 L |- | 36 || December 22 || Detroit Red Wings || 6 – 2 || Edmonton Oilers || || Joseph || 16,724 || 14–18–4 || 32 || 1996020444 L |- | 37 || December 23 || Edmonton Oilers || 7 – 0 || Vancouver Canucks || || Essensa || 17,854 || 15–18–4 || 34 || 1996020453 W |- | 38 || December 27 || Philadelphia Flyers || 6 – 4 || Edmonton Oilers || || Joseph || 17,099 || 15–19–4 || 34 || 1996020468 L |- | 39 || December 28 || San Jose Sharks || 3 – 5 || Edmonton Oilers || || Essensa || 16,670 || 16–19–4 || 36 || 1996020476 W |- | 40 || December 30 || Los Angeles Kings || 1 – 2 || Edmonton Oilers || || Joseph || 15,954 || 17–19–4 || 38 || 1996020489 W |- y background:#fff; border-top:#041E42 2px solid; border-bottom:#AD7C59 2px solid; January: 8–3–1 (home: 5–1–0; road: 3–2–1) Game Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Record Pts Recap |- | 41 || January 3 || Toronto Maple Leafs || 3 – 4 || Edmonton Oilers || || Joseph || 17,099 || 18–19–4 || 40 || 1996020512 W |- | 42 || January 7 || Edmonton Oilers || 5 – 2 || St. Louis Blues || || Joseph || 15,760 || 19–19–4 || 42 || 1996020531 W |- | 43 || January 8 || Edmonton Oilers || 1 – 4 || Chicago Blackhawks || || Essensa || 17,500 || 19–20–4 || 42 || 1996020537 L |- | 44 || January 11 || San Jose Sharks || 2 – 1 || Edmonton Oilers || || Joseph || 15,451 || 19–21–4 || 42 || 1996020560 L |- | 45 || January 12 || Hartford Whalers || 1 – 2 || Edmonton Oilers || OT || Joseph || 14,301 || 20–21–4 || 44 || 1996020564 W |- | 46 || January 15 || Florida Panthers || 0 – 4 || Edmonton Oilers || || Joseph || 15,673 || 21–21–4 || 46 || 1996020584 W |- | 47 || January 21 || Edmonton Oilers || 4 – 4 || New York Rangers || OT || Joseph || 18,200 || 21–21–5 || 47 || 1996020592 T |- | 48 || January 22 || Edmonton Oilers || 1 – 8 || New York Islanders || || Joseph || 10,438 || 21–22–5 || 47 || 1996020599 L |- | 49 || January 24 || Edmonton Oilers || 3 – 1 || Buffalo Sabres || || Joseph || 16,775 || 22–22–5 || 49 || 1996020611 W |- | 50 || January 26 || Edmonton Oilers || 3 – 1 || Washington Capitals || || Joseph || 14,623 || 23–22–5 || 51 || 1996020627 W |- | 51 || January 29 || San Jose Sharks || 1 – 3 || Edmonton Oilers || || Joseph || 14,378 || 24–22–5 || 53 || 1996020644 W |- | 52 || January 31 || New York Islanders || 0 – 1 || Edmonton Oilers || || Joseph || 16,211 || 25–22–5 || 55 || 1996020653 W |- y background:#fff; border-top:#041E42 2px solid; border-bottom:#AD7C59 2px solid; February: 4–6–2 (home: 4–2–0; road: 0–4–2) Game Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Record Pts Recap |- | 53 || February 5 || Calgary Flames || 2 – 5 || Edmonton Oilers || || Joseph || 16,770 || 26–22–5 || 57 || 1996020684 W |- | 54 || February 8 || Mighty Ducks of Anaheim || 2 – 1 || Edmonton Oilers || OT || Joseph || 16,743 || 26–23–5 || 57 || 1996020704 L |- | 55 || February 9 || Washington Capitals || 1 – 4 || Edmonton Oilers || || Essensa || 15,361 || 27–23–5 || 59 || 1996020709 W |- | 56 || February 12 || Boston Bruins || 3 – 4 || Edmonton Oilers || || Joseph || 16,238 || 28–23–5 || 61 || 1996020722 W |- | 57 || February 13 || Edmonton Oilers || 2 – 3 || Calgary Flames || OT || Essensa || 18,882 || 28–24–5 || 61 || 1996020729 L |- | 58 || February 15 || Edmonton Oilers || 2 – 2 || Los Angeles Kings || OT || Joseph || 12,027 || 28–24–6 || 62 || 1996020743 T |- | 59 || February 17 || Edmonton Oilers || 1 – 5 || Mighty Ducks of Anaheim || || Joseph || 17,174 || 28–25–6 || 62 || 1996020753 L |- | 60 || February 19 || Toronto Maple Leafs || 5 – 6 || Edmonton Oilers || || Joseph || 16,487 || 29–25–6 || 64 || 1996020764 W |- | 61 || February 21 || Colorado Avalanche || 4 – 3 || Edmonton Oilers || OT || Joseph || 17,099 || 29–26–6 || 64 || 1996020774 L |- | 62 || February 23 || Edmonton Oilers || 1 – 6 || Dallas Stars || || Joseph || 15,786 || 29–27–6 || 64 || 1996020788 L |- | 63 || February 26 || Edmonton Oilers || 3 – 3 || Mighty Ducks of Anaheim || OT || Joseph || 17,174 || 29–27–7 || 65 || 1996020803 T |- | 64 || February 27 || Edmonton Oilers || 3 – 6 || Los Angeles Kings || || Essensa || 12,115 || 29–28–7 || 65 || 1996020810 L |- y background:#fff; border-top:#041E42 2px solid; border-bottom:#AD7C59 2px solid; March: 6–7–0 (home: 2–3–0; road: 4–4–0) Game Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Record Pts Recap |- | 65 || March 1 || Montreal Canadiens || 5 – 4 || Edmonton Oilers || || Joseph || 17,099 || 29–29–7 || 65 || 1996020823 L |- | 66 || March 4 || Los Angeles Kings || 1 – 4 || Edmonton Oilers || || Joseph || 14,671 || 30–29–7 || 67 || 1996020835 W |- | 67 || March 7 || Edmonton Oilers || 1 – 2 || Dallas Stars || || Joseph || 16,723 || 30–30–7 || 67 || 1996020852 L |- | 68 || March 9 || Edmonton Oilers || 4 – 1 || St. Louis Blues || || Joseph || 17,982 || 31–30–7 || 69 || 1996020866 W |- | 69 || March 11 || Edmonton Oilers || 1 – 6 || New Jersey Devils || || Joseph || 14,671 || 31–31–7 || 69 || 1996020874 L |- | 70 || March 13 || Edmonton Oilers || 4 – 5 || Philadelphia Flyers || OT || Joseph || 19,635 || 31–32–7 || 69 || 1996020886 L |- | 71 || March 15 || Edmonton Oilers || 4 – 2 || Hartford Whalers || || Joseph || 14,437 || 32–32–7 || 71 || 1996020896 W |- | 72 || March 19 || Tampa Bay Lightning || 1 – 3 || Edmonton Oilers || || Joseph || 16,089 || 33–32–7 || 73 || 1996020923 W |- | 73 || March 23 || Mighty Ducks of Anaheim || 4 – 1 || Edmonton Oilers || || Joseph || 17,099 || 33–33–7 || 73 || 1996020946 L |- | 74 || March 24 || Edmonton Oilers || 5 – 1 || San Jose Sharks || || Joseph || 17,159 || 34–33–7 || 75 || 1996020950 W |- | 75 || March 28 || Edmonton Oilers || 3 – 4 || San Jose Sharks || || Joseph || 17,442 || 34–34–7 || 75 || 1996020970 L |- | 76 || March 29 || Edmonton Oilers || 3 – 1 || Phoenix Coyotes || || Joseph || 16,210 || 35–34–7 || 77 || 1996020978 W |- | 77 || March 31 || Dallas Stars || 3 – 1 || Edmonton Oilers || || Joseph || 17,099 || 35–35–7 || 77 || 1996020986 L |- y background:#fff; border-top:#041E42 2px solid; border-bottom:#AD7C59 2px solid; April: 1–2–2 (home: 1–1–2; road: 0–1–0) Game Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Record Pts Recap |- | 78 || April 3 || Chicago Blackhawks || 2 – 4 || Edmonton Oilers || || Joseph || 17,099 || 36–35–7 || 79 || 1996021004 W |- | 79 || April 5 || Vancouver Canucks || 2 – 2 || Edmonton Oilers || OT || Joseph || 17,099 || 36–35–8 || 80 || 1996021016 T |- | 80 || April 9 || Detroit Red Wings || 3 – 3 || Edmonton Oilers || OT || Joseph || 17,099 || 36–35–9 || 81 || 1996021037 T |- | 81 || April 11 || Phoenix Coyotes || 6 – 2 || Edmonton Oilers || || Joseph || 17,099 || 36–36–9 || 81 || 1996021052 L |- | 82 || April 12 || Edmonton Oilers || 4 – 5 || Vancouver Canucks || || Essensa || 18,422 || 36–37–9 || 81 || 1996021058 L |- |- | Legend: #cfc Win (2 points) 1px solid black W #fcc Loss (0 points) 1px solid black L #ffc Tie (1 point) 1px solid black T Playoffs background:#fff; border-top:#041E42 5px solid; border-bottom:#AD7C59 5px solid; 1997 Stanley Cup playoffs y background:#fff; border-top:#041E42 2px solid; border-bottom:#AD7C59 2px solid; Western Conference Quarterfinals vs. (2) Dallas Stars – Oilers win 4–3 Game Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Series Recap |- | 1 || April 16 || Edmonton Oilers || 3 – 5 || Dallas Stars || || Joseph || 16,418 || 0–1 || 1996030161 L |- | 2 || April 18 || Edmonton Oilers || 4 – 0 || Dallas Stars || || Joseph || 16,924 || 1–1 || 1996030162 W |- | 3 || April 20 || Dallas Stars || 3 – 4 || Edmonton Oilers || OT || Joseph || 17,099 || 2–1 || 1996030163 W |- | 4 || April 22 || Dallas Stars || 4 – 3 || Edmonton Oilers || || Joseph || 17,099 || 2–2 || 1996030164 L |- | 5 || April 25 || Edmonton Oilers || 1 – 0 || Dallas Stars || 2OT || Joseph || 16,924 || 3–2 || 1996030165 W |- | 6 || April 27 || Dallas Stars || 3 – 2 || Edmonton Oilers || || Joseph || 17,099 || 3–3 || 1996030166 L |- | 7 || April 29 || Edmonton Oilers || 4 – 3 || Dallas Stars || OT || Joseph || 16,924 || 4–3 || 1996030167 W |- y background:#fff; border-top:#041E42 2px solid; border-bottom:#AD7C59 2px solid; Western Conference Semifinals vs. (1) Colorado Avalanche – Avalanche win 4–1 Game Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Series Recap |- | 1 || May 2 || Edmonton Oilers || 1 – 5 || Colorado Avalanche || || Joseph || 16,061 || 0–1 || 1996030231 L |- | 2 || May 4 || Edmonton Oilers || 1 – 4 || Colorado Avalanche || || Joseph || 16,061 || 0–2 || 1996030232 L |- | 3 || May 7 || Colorado Avalanche || 3 – 4 || Edmonton Oilers || || Joseph || 17,099 || 1–2 || 1996030233 W |- | 4 || May 9 || Colorado Avalanche || 3 – 2 || Edmonton Oilers || OT || Joseph || 17,099 || 1–3 || 1996030234 L |- | 5 || May 11 || Edmonton Oilers || 3 – 4 || Colorado Avalanche || || Joseph || 16,061 || 1–4 || 1996030235 L |- |- | Legend: #cfc Win 1px solid black W #fcc Loss 1px solid black L Player statistics Scoring Position abbreviations: C = Centre; D = Defence; G = Goaltender; LW = Left wing; RW = Right wing = Joined team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, signing) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Oilers only. = Left team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, release) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Oilers only. No. Jersey number Player Pos Position Regular season Playoffs GP Games played G Goals A Assists Pts Points +/- Plus/minus PIM Penalties in minutes GP Games played G Goals A Assists Pts Points +/- Plus/minus PIM Penalties in minutes 39 Doug Weight C 80 21 61 82 1 80 12 3 8 11 0 8 94 Ryan Smyth LW 82 39 22 61 −7 76 12 5 5 10 −4 12 51 Andrei Kovalenko RW 74 32 27 59 −5 81 12 4 3 7 1 6 7 Jason Arnott C 67 19 38 57 −21 92 12 3 6 9 −3 18 21 Mariusz Czerkawski LW 76 26 21 47 0 16 12 2 1 3 −2 10 16 Kelly Buchberger RW 81 8 30 38 4 159 12 5 2 7 −1 16 26 Todd Marchant LW 79 14 19 33 11 44 12 4 2 6 2 12 25 Mike Grier RW 79 15 17 32 7 45 12 3 1 4 −2 4 2 Boris Mironov D 55 6 26 32 2 85 12 2 8 10 −6 16 17 Rem Murray C 82 11 20 31 9 16 12 1 2 3 −1 4 37 Dean McAmmond LW 57 12 17 29 −15 28 -1 — -1 — -1 — -1 — -99 — -1 — 18Satan wore number 32 in his first six games. Miroslav Satan Miroslav Šatan LW 64 17 11 28 −4 22 -1 — -1 — -1 — -1 — -99 — -1 — 14 Mats Lindgren C 69 11 14 25 −7 12 12 0 4 4 −2 0 23McGillis wore number 18 in his first seven games. Dan McGillis D 73 6 16 22 2 52 12 0 5 5 8 24 24 Bryan Marchment D 71 3 13 16 13 132 3 0 0 0 −3 4 4 Kevin Lowe D 64 1 13 14 −1 50 1 0 0 0 −1 0 6 Jeff Norton D 62 2 11 13 −7 42 -1 — -1 — -1 — -1 — -99 — -1 — 22 Luke Richardson D 82 1 11 12 9 91 12 0 2 2 −4 14 8 Michel Petit D 18 2 4 6 −13 20 -1 — -1 — -1 — -1 — -99 — -1 — 85 Petr Klima Petr Klíma RW 16 1 5 6 −1 6 6 0 0 0 0 4 5 Greg de Vries D 37 0 4 4 −2 52 12 0 1 1 4 8 20 David Oliver ice hockey RW 17 1 2 3 −8 4 -1 — -1 — -1 — -1 — -99 — -1 — 29 Louie DeBrusk LW 32 2 0 2 −6 94 6 0 0 0 0 4 31 Curtis Joseph G 72 0 2 2 -98 20 12 0 0 0 -98 2 9 Ralph Intranuovo C 5 1 0 1 0 0 -1 — -1 — -1 — -1 — -99 — -1 — 10 Steve Kelly C 8 1 0 1 −1 6 6 0 0 0 1 2 55 Drew Bannister D 1 0 1 1 −2 0 12 0 0 0 −4 30 34 Donald Dufresne D 22 0 1 1 −1 15 3 0 0 0 0 0 12 Jesse Belanger Jesse Bélanger C 6 0 0 0 −3 0 -1 — -1 — -1 — -1 — -99 — -1 — 8 Sean Brown ice hockey D 5 0 0 0 −1 4 -1 — -1 — -1 — -1 — -99 — -1 — 30 Bob Essensa G 19 0 0 0 -98 4 -1 — -1 — -1 — -1 — -99 — -1 — 15 Joe Hulbig LW 6 0 0 0 −1 0 6 0 1 1 2 2 35 Craig Millar ice hockey D 1 0 0 0 0 2 -1 — -1 — -1 — -1 — -99 — -1 — 18Moore wore number 20 in his first three games. Barrie Moore LW 4 0 0 0 0 0 -1 — -1 — -1 — -1 — -99 — -1 — 35 Bryan Muir D -1 — -1 — -1 — -1 — -99 — -1 — 5 0 0 0 −2 4 Goaltending No. Jersey number Player Regular season Playoffs GP Games played W Wins L Losses T Ties SA Shots against GA Goals against GAA Goals against average SV% Save percentage SO Shutouts TOI Time on Ice GP Games played W Wins L Losses SA Shots against GA Goals against GAA Goals against average SV% Save percentage SO Shutouts TOI Time on Ice 31 Curtis Joseph 72 32 29 9 2144 200 2.93 .907 6 4100 12 5 7 405 36 2.81 .911 2 767 30 Bob Essensa 19 4 8 0 406 41 2.83 .899 1 868 — — — — — — — — — Awards and records Awards TypeAward/honourRecipientRef League(in-season) NHL All-Star Game selection Jason Arnott1997 NHL All-Star Game Rosters https://www.hockey-reference.com/allstar/NHL_1997_roster.html Hockey-Reference.com August 29, 2024 Team Community Service Award Jason Arnott2014–15 Edmonton Oilers Media Guide, p.173 Defenceman of the Year Bryan Marchment Molson Cup Curtis Joseph Most Popular Player Curtis Joseph Top Defensive Forward Kelly Buchberger Top First Year Oiler Mike Grier Unsung Hero Doug Weight Zane Feldman Trophy Curtis Joseph Records 3: Tied NHL record for most short-handed goals in a playoffs by Todd Marchant on May 11, 1997. Milestones Regular Season Player Milestone Reached Mike Grier 1st NHL Game October 4, 1996 Dan McGillis 1st NHL Game1st NHL Assist1st NHL Point Rem Murray 1st NHL Game1st NHL Goal1st NHL Point Kelly Buchberger 1,400th NHL PIM October 8, 1996 Rem Murray 1st NHL Assist Ryan Smyth 1st NHL Hat-trick Luke Richardson 1,100th NHL PIM October 11, 1996 Louie DeBrusk 200th NHL Game October 20, 1996 Mike Grier 1st NHL Assist1st NHL Point Doug Weight 300th NHL Point Rem Murray 1st NHL Hat-trick October 24, 1996 Mike Grier 1st NHL Goal October 26, 1996 Doug Weight 300th NHL PIM November 1, 1996 Mats Lindgren 1st NHL Game1st NHL Goal1st NHL Point November 3, 1996 Andrei Kovalenko 100th NHL Assist November 6, 1996 Mats Lindgren 1st NHL Assist Jason Arnott 200th NHL Game November 7, 1996 Mariusz Czerkawski 1st NHL Hat-trick1st NHL Natural hat-trick Jason Arnott 100th NHL Assist November 9, 1996 Bryan Marchment 1,200th NHL PIM Curtis Joseph 20th NHL Assist November 13, 1996 Boris Mironov 200th NHL Game Kelly Buchberger 600th NHL Game November 17, 1996 Andrei Kovalenko 200th NHL Point November 23, 1996 Dan McGillis 1st NHL Goal November 26, 1996 Bob Essensa 300th NHL Game November 27, 1996 Kevin Lowe 1,200th NHL Game December 1, 1996 Michel Petit 1,700th NHL PIM December 4, 1996 Andrei Kovalenko 200th NHL PIM December 12, 1996 Andrei Kovalenko 100th NHL Goal December 18, 1996 Boris Mironov 300th NHL PIM December 23, 1996 Andrei Kovalenko 300th NHL Game December 30, 1996 Miroslav Satan 100th NHL Game January 7, 1997 Jason Arnott 200th NHL Point January 15, 1997 Curtis Joseph 10th NHL Shutout Ryan Smyth 100th NHL Game January 24, 1997 Jeff Norton 500th NHL Game Mariusz Czerkawski 100th NHL Point February 9, 1997 Jeff Norton 400th NHL PIM Doug Weight 400th NHL Game Bryan Marchment 400th NHL Game February 13, 1997 Mariusz Czerkawski 2nd NHL Hat-trick February 19, 1997 Boris Mironov 100th NHL Point Sean Brown 1st NHL Game February 21, 1997 Kelly Buchberger 1,500th NHL PIM Ryan Smyth 100th NHL PIM March 1, 1997 Joe Hulbig 1st NHL Game March 4, 1997 Luke Richardson 700th NHL Game March 9, 1997 Jeff Norton 300th NHL Point March 11, 1997 Kelly Buchberger 200th NHL Point March 19, 1997 Craig Millar 1st NHL Game Todd Marchant 200th NHL Game March 23, 1997 Steve Kelly 1st NHL Game March 24, 1997 Luke Richardson 100th NHL Point March 28, 1997 Steve Kelly 1st NHL Goal1st NHL Point March 29, 1997 Jason Arnott 400th NHL PIM April 4, 1997 Doug Weight 100th NHL Goal April 5, 1997 Playoffs Player Milestone Reached Jason Arnott 1st NHL Game1st NHL Assist1st NHL Point April 16, 1997 Mats Lindgren Dan McGillis Boris Mironov Rem Murray Drew Bannister 1st NHL Game Greg de Vries Louie DeBrusk Mike Grier Ryan Smyth Todd Marchant 1st NHL Game1st NHL Goal1st NHL Point Bryan Marchment 50th NHL PIM Mike Grier 1st NHL Goal1st NHL Point April 18, 1997 Boris Mironov 1st NHL Goal Ryan Smyth 1st NHL Goal1st NHL Assist1st NHL Point Todd Marchant 1st NHL Assist April 20, 1997 Jason Arnott 1st NHL Goal April 22, 1997 Bryan Muir 1st NHL Game Mike Grier 1st NHL Assist April 29, 1997 Joe Hulbig 1st NHL Game1st NHL Assist1st NHL Point Rem Murray 1st NHL Goal Steve Kelly 1st NHL Game Greg de Vries 1st NHL Assist1st NHL Point May 7, 1997 Transactions Trades June 14, 1996To Detroit Red WingsFuture considerationsTo Edmonton OilersBob Essensa June 22, 1996To Pittsburgh PenguinsTyler WrightTo Edmonton Oilers7th round pick in 1996 September 6, 1996To Montreal CanadiensScott ThorntonTo Edmonton OilersAndrei Kovalenko March 18, 1997To Buffalo SabresMiroslav SatanTo Edmonton OilersBarrie MooreCraig Millar March 18, 1997To Tampa Bay LightningJeff NortonTo Edmonton OilersDrew Bannister6th round pick in 1997 Free agents Player Former team D Terran Sandwith Kansas City Blades (IHL) D Bryan Muir New Hampshire Wildcats (NCAA) F Jeff Daw UMass Lowell River Hawks (NCAA) F Jesse Belanger Vancouver Canucks D Kevin Lowe New York Rangers D Michel Petit Tampa Bay Lightning F Petr Klima Pittsburgh Penguins Player New team F David Roberts Vancouver Canucks F Kent Manderville Hartford Whalers Waivers Date Player Team 1996 9 30 Ralph Intranuovo to Toronto Maple Leafs 1996 10 25 Ralph Intranuovo from Toronto Maple Leafs 1997 1 17 Michel Petit to Philadelphia Flyers 1997 2 21 David Oliver to New York Rangers Draft picks Edmonton's draft picks at the 1996 NHL entry draft.1996 NHL Entry Draft Picks at hockeydb.com https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/draft/nhl1996e.html www.hockeydb.com July 27, 2023 Round # Player Nationality College/Junior/Club team (League)16 Boyd Devereaux Kitchener Rangers (OHL)119 Matthieu Descoteaux Shawinigan Cataractes (QMJHL)232 Chris Hajt Guelph Storm (OHL)359 Tom Poti Cushing Academy (USHS)5114 Brian Urick Notre Dame Fighting Irish (NCAA)6141 Bryan Randall Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL)7168 David Bernier St-Hyacinthe Lasers (QMJHL)7170 Brandon Lafrance Ohio State Buckeyes (NCAA)8195 Fernando Pisani St. Albert Saints (AJHL)9221 John Hultberg Dubuque Fighting Saints (USHL) Notes References Edmonton Oilers 1996-97 roster and scoring statistics at hockeydb.com https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/leagues/seasons/teams/0000411997.html www.hockeydb.com July 25, 2023 1996-97 Edmonton Oilers Roster, Stats, Injuries, Scores, Results, Shootouts https://www.hockey-reference.com/teams/EDM/1997.html Hockey-Reference.com July 25, 2023 National Hockey League Guide & Record Book 2007 Edmonton Oilers season, 1996-97 Edmon Category:Edmonton Oilers seasons Edmonton Oilers Edmonton Oilers Category:1990s in Edmonton