The Unsung Hero of Oilers' Early Success | Edmonton Oilers News

Lee Fogolin may not be a household name, but his gritty, unselfish legacy with the Edmonton Oilers deserves a spotlight—he’s now ranked 23rd on their all-time list. A key defenseman in the team’s first two Stanley Cup wins (1984-85), he famously handed Gretzky the captain’s “C,” embodying leadership and team-first grit. Playing over 580 games, he tied an NHL record for short-handed goals and famously pulled his own tooth with a coat hanger before a game to play through pain. A veteran presence from the WHA era, drafted by Buffalo and acquired in the expansion draft, Fogolin was the unsung backbone who mentored young stars like Gretzky and Lowe, setting the tone for Oilers’ culture with relentless toughness and sacrifice. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/8c04e156ca512f38