In the world of NHL hockey , few team names resonate as profoundly with their city’s identity as the Edmonton Oilers . But have you ever asked yourself— why are the Edmonton Oilers called the Oilers ? It’s a name so synonymous with Alberta’s capital that it often escapes deeper curiosity. While many explanations point simply to Edmonton’s role in the petroleum industry, the truth runs deeper. This blog explores the origin of the Edmonton Oilers' name from a cultural, economic, and branding perspective—peeling back layers of history, identity, and pride that go far beyond a nod to black gold. 🏭 Edmonton & Oil: A City Built on Crude Energy To understand the Oilers’ name origin , one must first grasp Edmonton’s historical roots in oil exploration . Alberta’s economy, particularly in the 20th century, was largely sustained by oil. Major booms in the 1940s and 1970s transformed Edmonton from a modest prairie town into Canada’s "Oil Capital." During these boom periods...