Northlands Coliseum
- David Hegler
- 5 days ago
- 4 min read
Although it was never known as one of the sport's cathedrals, Northlands Coliseum provided some of the most memorable moments in hockey history. This is the story of "the House that Gretzky Built".
The Conception
When the World Hockey League was founded in in 1972, it had a dozen teams spread across North America from Los Angeles to Alberta. While the Oilers were originally supposed to represent all of Alberta, they ultimately settled down in Edmonton. As they began their existence, construction crews worked round the clock on a new arena just across the street.
While the Oilers were still trying to find their footing as a franchise, strikes by steelworkers, cement workers and elevator workers delayed construction on what was supposed to be the Oilers' sparkling new home. Eventually cooler head prevailed and work continued under the guidance of the same architects who planned the Vancouver Canucks' home, Pacific Coliseum.
Having played in Edmonton Gardens for two years, the Oilers moved across the street to the recently opened Northlands Coliseum in 1974. It was the first arena with a scoreboard hanging over centre ice with an electronic message board. With the last batch of 5,000 seats having just arrived, the Oilers beat the Cleveland Crusaders 4-1 in the first event ever held at their new home.
The Glory Years
It was the fall of 1979 and change was in the air. A year after welcoming Wayne Gretzky into the fold, the Oilers entered the NHL as a part of a larger expansion that included the Hartford Whalers, Quebec Nordiques and Winnipeg Jets. Armed with talent all across the board such as Jarri Kurri, Craig MacTavish, Randy Gregg and Mark Messier and led by the knowledgeable presence of head coach Glen Sather, the Oilers took the NHL by storm.
After three years of coming up short, the Oilers finally made it to the Stanley Cup Final in 1983 where they lost to the New York Islanders. After the sweep, Gretzky strolled by the Islanders' lockerroom and was taken aback. Instead of a jubilant bunch, he watched bandaged men gingerly walking about after another long season. In that moment, he knew that the only way to win it all was to give it his all.
Shortly before it hosted Canada's triumph over Sweden in the 1984 Canada Cup, Northlands Coliseum provided the backdrop for Wayne Gretzky's first Stanley Cup triumph in June 1984 when he led the Oilers to a 5-2 Game 5 victory to clinch the title in front of a raucous Edmonton crowd. The Oilers repeated as champions the following years by beating the Philadelphia Flyers 8-3 in game 5 at Northlands Coliseum. They had a shot at a three-pete the following year, but lost in seven at Northlands Coliseum to the Rival Calgary Flames in the second round.
The Oilers rebounded the following year by beating Philadelphia in seven at Northlands Coliseum 3-1 and followed that up by beating Boston in six at Northlands 6-3 in 1988 for their second repeat. It was Wayne Gretzky's last game as an Oiler with his goal in the second period to bump the Oilers' lead to 4-2 being the last memory anyone would have of him being an Oiler. After Gretzky's trade to the Los Angeles Kings, Mark Messier stepped in his place and to lead the franchise to its last Stanley Cup triumph in 1990 by beating the Bruins in Boston.
Northlands Coliseum wasn't just the Oilers' home. It was also home to the Oilers' affiliate, the Oil Kings from 1974 through 1976. In addition to hockey, it also hosted such soccer teams like the Drillers of the NASL (1980-1982), the NPSL (1996-2000) and the CMISL (2007). It hosted the Skyhawks of the National Basketball League in 1993-1993 and the Sled Dogs of the Roller Hockey International in 1994.
Other than the Oilers, the only other teams to win a championship while staying at Northlands Coliseum was the Edmonton Rush of the National Lacrosse League in 2015 and the latest installment of the Oil Kings in 2012 and 2014.
The End of an Era
Like many structures of its era, Northlands Coliseum quickly fell behind the times when newer arenas began popping up all over the map in the 1990's boasting of many more luxury boxes. Partially due to the Gretzky trade, the Oilers fell into financial distress in the mid-90's and their owner Peter Pocklington threatened to relocated the franchise unless. he got full control of the Coliseum.
With a new rental agreement in place in 1994, the Oilers were stuck in Edmonton for at least the next 10 years. Even if Pocklington tried to sell them, local investors would get the right of first refusal for the fixed price of $70 million. With the advent of corporate sponsors in vogue, Nortlands Coliseum was renamed Skyreach Centre in October 1998 and it was renamed again five years later to Rexall Place.
By 2016, the Oilers had outgrown their old home and had built a new arena. The Oilers last game at Rexall Place was on April 6, 2016, a 6-2 victory over the Vancouver Canucks in front of 16, 839. The last event ever held at Rexall Place was the Canadian Finals Rodeo in November 2017. Today, Rexall Place still stands, waiting for the wrecking ball.
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