Three Reasons Oilers Fans Are the Best in the NHL

If you followed the Edmonton Oilers after the Gretzky-Messier dynasty, you know the story isn’t about banners or Stanley Cups. It’s about patience, loyalty, and hanging in there when things get really tough. After their surprise run to the 2006 Stanley Cup Final, the Oilers missed the playoffs for ten straight seasons—a stretch fans call the “Decade of Darkness.” And yet, through it all, the fan base remained remarkable. Here’s why.

Reason 1. Oilers Fans Stuck Around When It Was Tough

The first reason Oilers fans earn their stripes is simple: loyalty. Even when the team was struggling, attendance never collapsed. Rexall Place wasn’t always sold out, but it stayed loud. Jerseys and flags were still everywhere, even in March, long after playoff hopes had vanished.

While other markets saw empty seats, Edmonton leaned in harder. Families gathered, friends debated player moves, and fans showed up because the team mattered—not just when they were winning.

Reason 2. Oilers Fans Know How to Handle Hope and Disappointment

From 2010 to 2015, the Oilers drafted top picks like Taylor Hall, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Nail Yakupov, and finally Connor McDavid. Some players thrived elsewhere, some never found their footing. Each season seemed to start with optimism and end with “maybe next year.”

Yet Oilers fans stayed engaged. They learned to celebrate small victories, appreciate effort even when the results were disappointing, and adopt a long-term view. That kind of tough-minded attitude isn’t easy—it’s a rare quality in sports fandom.

Reason 3. Oilers Fans Understand the Value of True Reward

When Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl finally turned the team around, the mood was euphoric. After seasons of losing and (a few) near misses, the fans’ spirit was rewarded. But what Oilers fans showed was how, in good or bad, patience, loyalty, and identity pay off. In Edmonton, hockey is part of the community’s DNA.

Oilers’ fans earned their stripes by suffering through the tough years. Suddenly, they were disappointed differently – by two near Stanley Cup losses to the Florida Panthers. In some ways, it was a more profound disappointment, but ultimately more satisfying. They got to cheer for their team further into the season. Now they can fully enjoy the highs, knowing they’ve earned their pride in the process.