In a stunning and emotional moment for hockey fans, the Edmonton Oilers have announced that NHL legend Wayne Gretzky is returning to the organization—this time behind the bench. The Great One has joined the Oilers as a Senior Coaching Advisor, reuniting with the franchise where he became a global icon.
The announcement sent shockwaves through Rogers Place and across the hockey world just hours before puck drop in the latest playoff matchup. Cheers erupted in the arena as the news broke on the big screen, with fans chanting Gretzky’s name in a chorus of nostalgia and hope.
“It’s incredible,” said one fan draped in a vintage No. 99 jersey. “It feels like we’re going back to the glory days.”
Gretzky, who led the Oilers to four Stanley Cups in the 1980s and still holds countless NHL records, expressed both humility and excitement about rejoining the team in an official capacity.
“This organization means the world to me,” Gretzky said in a press conference. “I’m not here to take the spotlight—just to support the coaching staff, the players, and help bring another championship to Edmonton.”
His role as Senior Coaching Advisor will see him working closely with Head Coach Kris Knoblauch and his staff, offering strategic insights, mentorship, and leadership rooted in decades of elite-level experience. While he won’t be on the bench full-time, Gretzky’s presence is expected to have a significant impact both in the locker room and throughout the organization.
Team management described the move as “a homecoming and a game-changer.”
“Wayne’s knowledge of the game, his understanding of what it means to be an Oiler, and his ability to connect with players makes this an extraordinary moment for the franchise,” said Oilers GM Ken Holland.
Gretzky has remained involved in the hockey world since retiring in 1999, serving as a coach, executive, and most recently, a broadcaster. His return to Edmonton in an official role marks a full-circle moment in one of the most storied careers in sports history.
As the Oilers chase another Stanley Cup, the timing couldn’t feel more poetic. With Gretzky back in the fold, hope is high—and belief even higher—that the magic of the past might once again inspire greatness in the present.