1994–95 Edmonton Oilers season

1994–95 Edmonton Oilers
Division5th Pacific
Conference11th Western
1994–95 record17–27–4
Home record11–12–1
Road record6–15–3
Goals for136
Goals against183
Team information
General managerGlen Sather
CoachGeorge Burnett (Jan.–Apr.)
Ron Low (Apr.–May)
CaptainShayne Corson (Jan.–Apr.)
Vacant (Apr.–May)
Alternate captainsKelly Buchberger
Luke Richardson
ArenaNorthlands Coliseum
Average attendance13,123 (76.7%)
Minor league affiliate(s)Cape Breton Oilers (AHL)
Wheeling Thunderbirds (ECHL)
Team leaders
GoalsDavid Oliver (16)
AssistsDoug Weight (33)
PointsDoug Weight (40)
Penalty minutesBryan Marchment (184)
Plus/minusDean Kennedy (+2)
WinsBill Ranford (15)
Goals against averageBill Ranford (3.62)

The 1994–95 Edmonton Oilers season was the Oilers' 16th season in the NHL, and they were coming off a tough 1993–94 season, when they finished the year 25–45–14, failing to qualify for the playoffs for the 2nd straight season.

The 1994–95 season was nearly cancelled due to a lockout, however, on January 11, 1995, an agreement was made between the NHL owners and the players, and a shortened 48 game schedule was used for the season.

The Oilers named George Burnett as head coach of the club, as Burnett coached the Oilers AHL affiliate, the Cape Breton Oilers for the previous 2 seasons, including leading the team to the Calder Cup in 1993. Edmonton got off to a solid start, and 27 games into the season, the Oilers sat in 2nd place in the Pacific Division with 26 points, only 3 behind the division leading Calgary Flames. The Oilers then went on a 10-game winless streak, costing Burnett his job, as former Oilers goaltender Ron Low replaced him.[1] It was too little too late, as Edmonton would finish the season 17–27–4, earning 38 points, and missed the playoffs for the 3rd straight season.

Offensively, Doug Weight led the team with 40 points, while David Oliver was the Oilers goal scoring leader with 16. Jason Arnott had another solid season, scoring 15 goals and earning 37 points. Defenseman Igor Kravchuk led the blueline with 18 points in 36 games, while Bryan Marchment had a club high 184 penalty minutes.

In goal, Bill Ranford played in 40 games, winning 15 of them, with a 3.62 GAA and 2 shutouts along the way. However, the Oilers allowed a league-high 183 goals and Oilers goaltenders combined for a league-low .877 save percentage.

The Oilers had the most power-play opportunities during the regular season, with 259. They also allowed the most power-play goals, with 52.[2]

Regular season

Season standings

Pacific Division
No. CR GP W L T GF GA Pts
1 2 Calgary Flames 48 24 17 7 163 135 55
2 6 Vancouver Canucks 48 18 18 12 153 148 48
3 7 San Jose Sharks 48 19 25 4 129 161 42
4 9 Los Angeles Kings 48 16 23 9 142 174 41
5 11 Edmonton Oilers 48 17 27 4 136 183 38
6 12 Mighty Ducks of Anaheim 48 16 27 5 125 164 37

[3]

Note: No. = Division rank, CR = Conference rank, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, GF = Goals For, GA = Goals Against, Pts = Points
       Teams that qualified for the playoffs are highlighted in bold.

Western Conference[4]
R Div GP W L T GF GA Pts
1 p – Detroit Red Wings CEN 48 33 11 4 180 117 70
2 x – Calgary Flames PAC 48 24 17 7 163 135 55
3 St. Louis Blues CEN 48 28 15 5 178 135 61
4 Chicago Blackhawks CEN 48 24 19 5 156 115 53
5 Toronto Maple Leafs CEN 48 21 19 8 135 146 50
6 Vancouver Canucks PAC 48 18 18 12 153 148 48
7 San Jose Sharks PAC 48 19 25 4 129 161 42
8 Dallas Stars CEN 48 17 23 8 136 135 42
9 Los Angeles Kings PAC 48 16 23 9 142 174 41
10 Winnipeg Jets CEN 48 16 25 7 157 177 39
11 Edmonton Oilers PAC 48 17 27 4 136 183 38
12 Mighty Ducks of Anaheim PAC 48 16 27 5 125 164 37

Divisions: CEN – Central, PAC – Pacific

bold – Qualified for playoffs; x – Won division; p – Won Presidents' Trophy


Schedule and results

1994–95 regular season[5]
January: 2–4–0 (home: 1–1–0; road: 1–3–0)
Game Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Record Pts Recap
1 January 20 Mighty Ducks of Anaheim 1 – 2 Edmonton Oilers Ranford 14,967 1–0–0 2 Recap
2 January 22 Edmonton Oilers 4 – 3 Los Angeles Kings Ranford 13,160 2–0–0 4 Recap
3 January 23 Edmonton Oilers 4 – 5 Mighty Ducks of Anaheim OT Ranford 17,174 2–1–0 4 Recap
4 January 25 Edmonton Oilers 1 – 5 Chicago Blackhawks Ranford 20,536 2–2–0 4 Recap
5 January 28 Edmonton Oilers 2 – 5 Detroit Red Wings Brathwaite 2–3–0 4 Recap
6 January 30 Detroit Red Wings 4 – 2 Edmonton Oilers Ranford 12,120 2–4–0 4 Recap
February: 5–6–2 (home: 4–2–1; road: 1–4–1)
Game Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Record Pts Recap
7 February 1 Chicago Blackhawks 7 – 0 Edmonton Oilers Ranford 10,492 2–5–0 4 Recap
8 February 3 Toronto Maple Leafs 3 – 5 Edmonton Oilers Brathwaite 14,307 3–5–0 6 Recap
9 February 7 Edmonton Oilers 4 – 4 Vancouver Canucks OT Ranford 12,347 3–5–1 7 Recap
10 February 8 Winnipeg Jets 3 – 3 Edmonton Oilers OT Ranford 10,308 3–5–2 8 Recap
11 February 10 San Jose Sharks 1 – 5 Edmonton Oilers Ranford 11,555 4–5–2 10 Recap
12 February 12 Mighty Ducks of Anaheim 0 – 2 Edmonton Oilers Ranford 12,487 5–5–2 12 Recap
13 February 15 Edmonton Oilers 4 – 1 Toronto Maple Leafs Ranford 15,746 6–5–2 14 Recap
14 February 17 Edmonton Oilers 2 – 4 Detroit Red Wings Ranford 19,875 6–6–2 14 Recap
15 February 19 Edmonton Oilers 1 – 4 Chicago Blackhawks Brathwaite 20,536 6–7–2 14 Recap
16 February 20 Edmonton Oilers 0 – 4 St. Louis Blues Ranford 17,119 6–8–2 14 Recap
17 February 22 Dallas Stars 1 – 2 Edmonton Oilers Ranford 10,242 7–8–2 16 Recap
18 February 25 Los Angeles Kings 4 – 3 Edmonton Oilers Ranford 16,945 7–9–2 16 Recap
19 February 28 Edmonton Oilers 2 – 5 Calgary Flames Brathwaite 19,127 7–10–2 16 Recap
March: 5–7–1 (home: 4–4–0; road: 1–3–1)
Game Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Record Pts Recap
20 March 1 Dallas Stars 5 – 3 Edmonton Oilers Ranford 9,502 7–11–2 16 Recap
21 March 3 Chicago Blackhawks 5 – 2 Edmonton Oilers Ranford 12,248 7–12–2 16 Recap
22 March 5 Detroit Red Wings 2 – 4 Edmonton Oilers Ranford 12,780 8–12–2 18 Recap
23 March 8 Edmonton Oilers 5 – 2 San Jose Sharks Ranford 17,190 9–12–2 20 Recap
24 March 12 Vancouver Canucks 5 – 2 Edmonton Oilers Ranford 12,768 9–13–2 20 Recap
25 March 14 St. Louis Blues 5 – 6 Edmonton Oilers Ranford 10,707 10–13–2 22 Recap
26 March 17 San Jose Sharks 3 – 5 Edmonton Oilers Ranford 12,369 11–13–2 24 Recap
27 March 20 Calgary Flames 2 – 5 Edmonton Oilers Ranford 14,060 12–13–2 26 Recap
28 March 22 Edmonton Oilers 4 – 4 Dallas Stars OT Brathwaite 16,494 12–13–3 27 Recap
29 March 23 Edmonton Oilers 1 – 2 Dallas Stars Ranford 16,924 12–14–3 27 Recap
30 March 26 Edmonton Oilers 1 – 5 St. Louis Blues Ranford 20,185 12–15–3 27 Recap
31 March 27 Edmonton Oilers 3 – 4 Toronto Maple Leafs Brathwaite 15,746 12–16–3 27 Recap
32 March 31 Calgary Flames 6 – 2 Edmonton Oilers Ranford 17,013 12–17–3 27 Recap
April: 5–8–1 (home: 2–4–0; road: 3–4–1)
Game Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Record Pts Recap
33 April 1 Vancouver Canucks 5 – 1 Edmonton Oilers Ranford 14,465 12–18–3 27 Recap
34 April 3 Edmonton Oilers 2 – 7 Los Angeles Kings Ranford 16,008 12–19–3 27 Recap
35 April 5 Edmonton Oilers 3 – 4 Mighty Ducks of Anaheim OT Ranford 17,174 12–20–3 27 Recap
36 April 7 Edmonton Oilers 0 – 5 San Jose Sharks Ranford 17,190 12–21–3 27 Recap
37 April 9 San Jose Sharks 5 – 2 Edmonton Oilers Ranford 12,185 12–22–3 27 Recap
38 April 13 Edmonton Oilers 6 – 4 Vancouver Canucks Brathwaite 13,290 13–22–3 29 Recap
39 April 15 Calgary Flames 4 – 2 Edmonton Oilers Ranford 16,121 13–23–3 29 Recap
40 April 17 Edmonton Oilers 6 – 5 Winnipeg Jets Ranford 14,501 14–23–3 31 Recap
41 April 19 Los Angeles Kings 0 – 2 Edmonton Oilers Ranford 15,403 15–23–3 33 Recap
42 April 21 Edmonton Oilers 3 – 3 Los Angeles Kings OT Ranford 15,624 15–23–4 34 Recap
43 April 22 Edmonton Oilers 1 – 6 Vancouver Canucks Ranford 14,275 15–24–4 34 Recap
44 April 25 Edmonton Oilers 5 – 3 Winnipeg Jets Ranford 12,994 16–24–4 36 Recap
45 April 27 St. Louis Blues 2 – 3 Edmonton Oilers OT Ranford 12,655 17–24–4 38 Recap
46 April 29 Winnipeg Jets 5 – 1 Edmonton Oilers Brathwaite 15,219 17–25–4 38 Recap
May: 0–2–0 (home: 0–1–0; road: 0–1–0)
Game Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Record Pts Recap
47 May 1 Toronto Maple Leafs 6 – 5 Edmonton Oilers Gage 14,044 17–26–4 38 Recap
48 May 3 Edmonton Oilers 3 – 5 Calgary Flames Gage 18,851 17–27–4 38 Recap
Legend:

  Win (2 points)   Loss (0 points)   Tie (1 point)

Player statistics

Scoring

  • Position abbreviations: C = Centre; D = Defence; G = Goaltender; LW = Left wing; RW = Right wing
  • † = Joined team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, signing) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Oilers only.
  • ‡ = Left team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, release) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Oilers only.
No. Player Pos Regular season
GP G A Pts +/- PIM
39 Doug Weight C 48 7 33 40 −17 69
7 Jason Arnott C 42 15 22 37 −14 128
9 Shayne Corson LW 48 12 24 36 −17 86
20 David Oliver RW 44 16 14 30 −11 20
26 Todd Marchant C 45 13 14 27 −3 32
16 Kelly Buchberger RW 48 7 17 24 0 82
17 Scott Thornton LW 47 10 12 22 −4 89
21 Igor Kravchuk D 36 7 11 18 −15 29
25 Mike Stapleton RW 46 6 11 17 −12 21
28 Roman Oksiuta‡ RW 26 11 2 13 −14 8
22 Luke Richardson D 46 3 10 13 −6 40
18 Kirk Maltby RW 47 8 3 11 −11 49
32 Dean Kennedy D 40 2 8 10 2 25
15 Fredrik Olausson D 33 0 10 10 −4 20
2 Boris Mironov D 29 1 7 8 −9 40
27 Peter White C 9 2 4 6 1 0
24 Bryan Marchment D 40 1 5 6 −11 184
28 Jiri Slegr† D 12 1 5 6 −5 14
34 Len Esau‡ D 14 0 6 6 −8 15
33 Scott Pearson‡ RW 28 1 4 5 −11 54
6[a] Ken Sutton† D 12 3 1 4 −1 12
8 Zdeno Ciger LW 5 2 2 4 −1 0
38 Iain Fraser† C 9 3 0 3 3 0
29 Louie DeBrusk LW 34 2 0 2 −4 93
6 Gord Mark D 18 0 2 2 −9 35
30 Bill Ranford G 40 0 2 2 2
23 Jason Bonsignore C 1 1 0 1 −1 0
14 Kent Nilsson† C 6 1 0 1 −5 0
19 Tyler Wright C 6 1 0 1 1 14
12 Micah Aivazoff LW 21 0 1 1 −2 2
1 Joaquin Gage G 2 0 1 1 0
36 Ralph Intranuovo C 1 0 1 1 1 0
43 Dennis Bonvie D 2 0 0 0 0 0
31 Fred Brathwaite G 14 0 0 0 0
37 Dean McAmmond LW 6 0 0 0 −1 0
34 Ryan McGill† D 8 0 0 0 −4 8
10 Ryan Smyth LW 3 0 0 0 −1 0
33 Marko Tuomainen RW 4 0 0 0 0 0

Goaltending

No. Player Regular season
GP W L T SA GA GAA SV% SO TOI
30 Bill Ranford 40 15 20 3 1134 133 3.62 .883 2 2203
31 Fred Brathwaite 14 2 5 1 292 40 4.00 .863 0 601
1 Joaquin Gage 2 0 2 0 40 7 4.25 .825 0 99

Awards and records

Awards

Type Award/honour Recipient Ref
Team Community Service Award Bill Ranford [6]
Defenceman of the Year Luke Richardson [6]
Molson Cup Bill Ranford [6]
Most Popular Player Kirk Maltby [6]
Top Defensive Forward Kelly Buchberger [6]
Top First Year Oiler Todd Marchant [6]
Unsung Hero David Oliver [6]
Zane Feldman Trophy Jason Arnott [6]

Milestones

Regular Season
Player Milestone Reached
David Oliver 1st NHL Game
1st NHL Goal
1st NHL Assist
1st NHL Point		 January 20, 1995
Igor Kravchuk 100th NHL Game January 22, 1995
Ryan Smyth 1st NHL Game
Todd Marchant 1st NHL Goal January 28, 1995
Dean Kennedy 1,100th NHL PIM January 30, 1995
Shayne Corson 400th NHL Point February 19, 1995
Bryan Marchment 800th NHL PIM
Mike Stapleton 300th NHL Game February 22, 1995
Jason Arnott 200th NHL PIM February 25, 1995
Scott Thornton
Scott Pearson 500th NHL PIM
Dean Kennedy 700th NHL Game March 8, 1995
Jason Arnott 100th NHL Game March 12, 1995
Jason Arnott 1st NHL Hat-trick March 20, 1995
David Oliver 1st NHL Hat-trick March 22, 1995
Luke Richardson 100th NHL Point
Boris Mironov 100th NHL Game March 23, 1995
Bryan Marchment 900th NHL PIM March 26, 1995
Ralph Intranuovo 1st NHL Game
1st NHL Assist
1st NHL Point		 March 27, 1995
Kirk Maltby 100th NHL Game
100th NHL PIM		 April 1, 1995
Kelly Buchberger 1,200th NHL PIM April 3, 1995
Shayne Corson 600th NHL Game April 7, 1995
Marko Tuomainen 1st NHL Game April 19, 1995
Louie DeBrusk 600th NHL PIM April 15, 1995
Jason Arnott 100th NHL Point April 17, 1995
Dennis Bonvie 1st NHL Game April 19, 1995
Bill Ranford 10th NHL Shutout
Doug Weight 200th NHL PIM April 21, 1995
Shayne Corson 1,300th NHL PIM April 22, 1995
Joaquin Gage 1st NHL Game
1st NHL Assist
1st NHL Point		 May 1, 1995
Jason Bonsignore 1st NHL Game
1st NHL Goal
1st NHL Point		 May 3, 1995

Transactions

Trades

March 13, 1995 To Philadelphia Flyers
Brad Zavisha
6th round pick in 1995 		To Edmonton Oilers
Ryan McGill
April 7, 1995 To Buffalo Sabres
Scott Pearson 		To Edmonton Oilers
Ken Sutton
April 7, 1995 To Vancouver Canucks
Roman Oksiuta 		To Edmonton Oilers
Jiri Slegr

Players acquired

Date Player Former team
August 25, 1994 (1994-08-25) Dennis Bonvie Cape Breton Oilers (AHL)
January 26, 1995 (1995-01-26) Kent Nilsson Vålerenga Ishockey (Eliteserien)

Players lost

Date Player New team
May 27, 1994 (1994-05-27) Jeff Chychrun Hartford Whalers
July 7, 1994 (1994-07-07) Brent Grieve Chicago Blackhawks
July 27, 1994 (1994-07-27) Shjon Podein Philadelphia Flyers
August 18, 1994 (1994-08-18) Steven Rice Hartford Whalers
August 29, 1994 (1994-08-29) Bob Beers New York Islanders
September 18, 1994 (1994-09-18) Ilya Byakin San Jose Sharks
November 17, 1994 (1994-11-17) Tim Tisdale Fredericton Canadiens (AHL)

Waivers

Date Player Team
January 18, 1995 (1995-01-18) Micah Aivazoff from Pittsburgh Penguins
Len Esau from Calgary Flames
Dean Kennedy from Winnipeg Jets
March 3, 1995 (1995-03-03) Iain Fraser from Dallas Stars
March 7, 1995 (1995-03-07) Len Esau to Calgary Flames

Draft picks

Edmonton's draft picks at the 1994 NHL Entry Draft held at the Hartford Civic Center in Hartford, Connecticut.[7]

Round # Player Nationality College/Junior/Club team (League)
1 4 Jason Bonsignore  United States Niagara Falls Thunder (OHL)
1 6 Ryan Smyth  Canada Moose Jaw Warriors (WHL)
2 32 Mike Watt  Canada Stratford Cullitons (MOJHL)
3 53 Corey Neilson  Canada North Bay Centennials (OHL)
3 60 Brad Symes  Canada Portland Winter Hawks (WHL)
4 79 Adam Copeland  Canada Burlington Cougars (OPJHL)
4 95 Jussi Tarvainen  Finland KalPa (Finland)
5 110 Jon Gaskins  United States Dubuque Fighting Saints (USHL)
6 136 Terry Marchant  United States Niagara Scenics (NAJHL)
7 160 Curtis Sheptak  Canada Olds Grizzlys (AJHL)
7 162 Dmitri Sulga  Belarus Tivali Minsk (Russia)
7 179 Chris Wickenheiser  Canada Red Deer Rebels (WHL)
8 185 Rob Guinn  Canada Newmarket Royals (OHL)
8 188 Jason Reid  Canada St. Andrew's College (High school)
9 214 Jeremy Jablonski  Canada Victoria Cougars (WHL)
11 266 Ladislav Benýšek  Czech Republic Sigma Olomouc (Czech Republic)
S 6 Chad Dameworth  United States Northern Michigan University (CCHA)

Notes

  1. ^ Sutton wore number 40 in his first game.

References

  • "Edmonton Oilers 1994-95 roster and scoring statistics at hockeydb.com". www.hockeydb.com. Retrieved September 11, 2023.
  • "1994-95 Edmonton Oilers Roster, Stats, Injuries, Scores, Results, Shootouts". Hockey-Reference.com. Retrieved September 10, 2023.
  • National Hockey League Guide & Record Book 2007
  1. ^ "SPORTS PEOPLE: HOCKEY; Oilers Fire Coach". The New York Times. April 7, 1995. Retrieved September 10, 2023.
  2. ^ "1994-95 NHL Summary".
  3. ^ Standings: NHL Public Relations Department (2008). Dave McCarthy; et al. (eds.). THE NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE Official Guide & Record Book/2009. National Hockey League. p. 154. ISBN 978-1-894801-14-0.
  4. ^ "1994-1995 Conference Standings Standings - NHL.com - Standings". NHL.
  5. ^ "1994-95 Edmonton Oilers Schedule". Hockey-Reference.com. Retrieved September 10, 2023.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h 2014–15 Edmonton Oilers Media Guide, p.173
  7. ^ "1994 NHL Entry Draft Picks at hockeydb.com". www.hockeydb.com. Retrieved September 10, 2023.