When the Oilers started in the WHA, they were the Alberta Oilers, and I believe they even played some of their first season’s games in Calgary. When they stopped sharing games they changed the name to Edmonton Oilers, but Calgary didn’t have a WHA team until the Vancouver team became the Cowboys a few years later, and the Cowboys folded before the NHL decide to bring in the remains of the WHA.
The Oilers had a long time to build a fanbase throughout the province, and having the most exciting new player in the league (Gretzky) playing in the year prior to the Flames arrival undoubtedly cemented their fanbase outside Calgary (that’s probably why their fans are cement heads). Also, in the lean years (mid-late ‘90s) before Ken King arrived, the Flames didn’t cultivate support outside Calgary by community involvement in places like Letbridge, Medicine Hat, etc. the way the Oilers did in the more northern communities.
Last edited by Steve Bozek; 05-17-2022 at 09:37 AM.
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