Edmonton Oilers putting Hall of Fame inductions on pause until next year
The Edmonton Oilers will not have any new members of their Hall of Fame this upcoming season.
This will be the first time since the Hall was unveiled in 2022 that no new players or staff will be inducted to have their names adorn the upper bowl of Rogers Place. This past season, Craig MacTavish and Randy Gregg were honoured with a ceremony and joined a list of 14 other names that include the likes of Wayne Gretzky and Mark Messier.
However, with the team unveiling its slate of 16 theme games scheduled for the upcoming 2025-26 NHL season, some fans noticed that there was no Hall of Fame game among that list.
That is because the Oilers have decided to put the induction process on pause for the upcoming season, with the anticipation that new inductions will be made in time for the 2026-27 season.
“After careful consideration, we have decided to pause the Oilers Hall of Fame selection process for one season,” the Oilers told Offside in a statement. “Pausing for a year gives us the chance to review and update bylaws and review the Hall of Fame Evening and on-ice ceremony.
“Being an Olympic year with a compressed schedule, this pause will also help ensure new inductees aren’t overshadowed in any way.”
The Oilers have a strict rule that only players inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame can have their number retired and raised to the rafters of Rogers Place. Kevin Lowe was the latest Oilers alumnus to have that honour back in 2021.
Having a separate franchise Hall of Fame allows the Oilers to honour important players who may not have the chance to get their number retired. The biggest example of that being the case is Ryan Smyth, who was the face of the franchise in Edmonton for two decades and among the most beloved players to pull on an Oilers jersey, but is unlikely to be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.
The Oilers made sure to point out that they believe there are still many players worthy of being inducted into their Hall of Fame.
“We know there are worthy candidates for selection amongst the distinguished Oilers Alumni, some of the finest in the entire National Hockey League, and we are excited to resume the process for the 2026-27 NHL season,” The Oilers told Offside Canada.
Potential players who could be added once the process resumes are Ales Hemsky, Bill Ranford, Esa Tikkanen, and Jason Smith.