Edmonton Oilers’ Original Third Jersey Turns 25

This week marks the 25^th anniversary of the debut of the Edmonton Oilers’ original third (aka alternate) jersey, which they wore for the first time, in a 3-2 victory over the Vancouver Canucks at Skyreach Centre on Oct. 27, 2001. The sweater had been unveiled the day prior, modeled by Oilers captain Jason Smith along with alternate captains Mike Grier, Rem Murray, and Ryan Smyth.

Designed by legendary comic book artist and writer Todd McFarlane, the jersey was a huge departure from anything the Oilers had previously worn since joining the NHL in 1979.

The jersey featured two original logos, a comet-like oil drop on the chest and a secondary mark that read “Oilers” on the shoulders, and colours that were also new to the Oilers brand: dark navy and silver. While the primary logo provided a space-age futuristic vibe, the jersey featured a traditional touch with a lace-up collar.

Developing the Jersey

Edmonton was one of the last NHL teams to get a third jersey. The trend of adding an alternate sweater to go with the traditional home and road jerseys had really taken off in the mid-late 90s, giving birth to some of the most notorious designs in league history, such as the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim “Wild Wing” and the Los Angeles Kings “Burger King” jerseys.

To that point, there had been effectively four different jerseys designs over Edmonton’s first 22 NHL seasons: the original home and road jerseys, worn from 1979 to 1996; and the updated home and road jerseys, introduced in 1996. Both sets of jerseys featured the same primary logo and similar striping, with the colours changing from blue and orange to midnight blue and bronze.

McFarlane, who was part of the Edmonton Investors Group which had purchased the Oilers three years earlier, worked with his ace art director Brent Ashe to design the third jersey. The result was radical, otherworldly, and completely befitting of the man who had created Spawn.

Reception to the Jersey

From the moment they went on sale, the Oilers’ third jersey was a massive hit. Hundreds of fans lined up at the team’s stores around Edmonton for the opportunity to buy the sweater (from ‘Oilers’ new look scores with fans’, Edmonton Journal, 10/29/01).

More than 2,000 third jerseys were projected to sell over the first weekend they were available, a massive number for a time before electronic retailing was common. Darrell Holowaychuk, vice-president of properties for the Oilers, noted that one of the team’s retail locations had done a third of its Christmas sales in one hour. (from ‘Oilers’ third jersey walks off the shelves’, Edmonton Journal, 10/28/01).

The jerseys were a success on the ice, too. Edmonton had a point percentage of 64.3% (8-4-1-1) when wearing the McFarlane-designed uniforms during the 2001-02 season, compared to 54.4% (30-24-11-3) while outfitted in their regular gear.

Jersey Discontinued After Reebok Switch

A further indication of the success of the jersey is how long it remained part of the Oilers’ wardrobe. While some third jerseys disappeared within a year of their debut (see the aforementioned “Mighty Wing” and “Burger King” designs), Edmonton continued to wear its third jersey through the 2006-07 season.

In fact, the decision to ditch the McFarlane-designed uniform was not made by the Oilers. Rather, it was because the NHL temporarily halted the use of third jerseys for the 2007-08 season when all teams switched to the infamous Reebok Edge sweaters.

When teams were allowed third jerseys again in 2008-09, the Oilers elected not to bring back the “Oil Drop”. Instead, Edmonton resurrected its original road sweater design to use as the team’s new third jersey.

A possible reason may be that the McFarlane design didn’t adapt well to the structure of the Reebok Edge jersey, which fit tighter than prior sweaters. Notably, just two NHL teams in 2008-09 brought back the third jersey they had worn in 2006-07.

Over the years that followed, the Oilers would go through for a few third jerseys, all of which were essentially variations of their standard sweater with the primary/secondary colours switched.

Reverse Retro Version

In 2020, the NHL rolled out its league-wide Reverse Retro program, which saw each team wear a modernized version of a historically significant jersey. Edmonton’s original Reverse Retro design was inspired by the Oilers’ jersey from their inaugural NHL season.

These looks were generally well received, but many Edmonton fans never stopped pining for a return of the team’s original third jerseys. And after a decade and a half, they would finally get their wish. Sort of.

The Reverse Retro program returned for the 2022-23 season, and this time the Oilers looked to the “Oil Drop”. Edmonton’s reimagined jersey remained quite true to the original version, with the primary difference being the colour orange in the logos and striping.

Edmonton wore its “Oil Drop” Reverse Retro jersey just five times in 2022-23, with the Oilers winning only one of those games. The NHL elected not to continue with the Reverse Retro program in future seasons, and just like that, the “Oil Drop” disappeared again.

Latest Jersey is the Hometown Remix

During any given Oilers game at Rogers Place, you’ll still see a handful of “Oil Drop” Reverse Retro jerseys, along with numerous other types of sweaters. In just the last three years, the Oilers have unveiled two more sweaters to their ever-expanded closet: a one-game only jersey that was worn  during the 2023 Heritage Classic; and their current alternate jersey, which is now in its second season, and, much like the original third jersey, is a large departure from anything else in team history.

Now, the Oilers are set to unveil yet another ensemble, as part of the latest league-wide jersey program, the Hometown Remix. The NHL describes the Hometown Remix as a “special edition uniform that “uniquely and authentically celebrate the fans, city, and local culture of each team.”

None of the Hometown Remix jerseys have been officially revealed yet, although many designs have been leaked. Edmonton’s jersey is reportedly black with orange accents, a look that has been drawing mixed reviews, at best.

Meanwhile, the widely beloved McFarlane designed jersey sits in mothballs. If reaction to the 25^th anniversary of the jersey is any indication, it is still as popular as ever. The Oilers could bring it back at any time, and their fanbase would welcome it with open arms and wallets. Whether that ever happens, only time will tell.