Oilers’ 1995 Draft Class: One of the Worst in Franchise History
The 1995 NHL Entry Draft, held at Northlands Coliseum, marked a significant event for the Edmonton Oilers as it was the only time in their history they hosted the league's annual selection event. On July 8, 1995, all 26 NHL teams gathered for a nine-round draft that unfolded over a single, action-packed day.
The top five picks were held by other franchises, with the Ottawa Senators selecting first overall. The Oilers, however, held the sixth overall selection, which at the time was their second-highest pick in franchise history. Coming off their third consecutive season of missing the playoffs, Edmonton aimed to revitalize its rebuild with eight total picks, including five within the first 109 selections. This was a prime opportunity for the Oilers to secure future talent, especially in front of their home crowd.
Only 3 Picks Made the NHL
Despite the promising circumstances, the 1995 NHL Draft proved to be a significant disappointment for the Oilers. Out of the eight players drafted, only three managed to reach the NHL, with Georges Laraque being the most notable and longest-tenured among them.
Collectively, the Oilers' 1995 draft class accumulated a mere 845 career NHL regular-season games played. This figure placed them 22nd out of the 26 teams that drafted that year. For comparison, the four teams with fewer total games—Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Red Wings, Philadelphia Flyers, and Washington Capitals—all made their selections later in the first round.
Kelly Selected 6th
The draft commenced with Bryan Berard being selected first overall by Ottawa, followed by Wade Redden, Aki Berg, Chad Kilger, and Daymond Langkow in the top five. The anticipation in Northlands Coliseum was palpable as the Oilers' turn approached. Fans vocally supported Shane Doan, a highly touted prospect from Alberta.
However, Oilers general manager Glen Sather announced the selection of forward Steve Kelly from the Prince Albert Raiders. The pick was met with muted applause and a noticeable silence from the crowd, indicating fan disappointment as Doan was drafted immediately after by the Winnipeg Jets.
Fans Knew Best
The draft outcome suggested that in this instance, listening to fan sentiment might have been a wiser strategy. Kelly, known for his speed and physicality, had a strong junior career but struggled to translate his game to the NHL level. He debuted late in the 1996-97 season with only one goal in eight games for the Oilers and played sparingly in the subsequent playoffs.
Kelly's tenure with the Oilers was brief. After struggling to secure a consistent spot in the lineup during the 1997-98 season, he was traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning in December 1997. His time with Edmonton concluded after just 33 combined regular-season and playoff games, with one goal and two assists. He continued to play professionally for several more years, ultimately retiring in 2009 with 149 NHL regular-season games and 21 points.
In stark contrast, Shane Doan embarked on a highly successful NHL career, playing his entire career with the Jets/Coyotes franchise. He amassed 402 goals and 570 assists in 1,540 games, earning multiple All-Star selections and numerous individual awards. Doan's career achievements highlight a significant missed opportunity for the Oilers in the 1995 draft.
Laraque Selected in Round 2
Edmonton's second pick, 31st overall, was Georges Laraque. While not a superstar, Laraque proved to be a solid selection for the Oilers. He became a popular enforcer for the team, playing 490 games between the 1997-98 and 2005-06 seasons, recording 43 goals, 68 assists, and a considerable 826 penalty minutes.
Laraque departed Edmonton as a free agent in 2006 and concluded his NHL career in 2010 after playing 695 games across various teams.
Draft Pick Duds
Beyond Laraque, the Oilers' 1995 draft class was largely unsuccessful. Goaltender Mike Minard, selected 83rd overall, was the only other player to appear in an NHL game, playing just one game for the Oilers in the 1999-00 season, where he secured a win. Czech defenseman Lukas Zib (57th overall) never came to North America, and Jan Snopek (109th overall) played his professional career overseas.
Other selections like Martin Cerven (161st overall), Stephen Douglas (187th overall), and Jiri Antonin (213th overall) did not progress to the NHL or even its higher minor league affiliates. These players represent significant misses for the Oilers.
The draft class also saw the Oilers pass on numerous future stars who went on to achieve significant success, including Jarome Iginla (11th overall), Jean-Sébastien Giguère (13th overall), and Miikka Kiprusoff (116th overall), among many others.
Not as Bad as 1990
The Edmonton Oilers have experienced other disappointing draft classes, most notably the 1990 draft, where none of their 11 selections ever played a single NHL game. This 1990 class is widely considered the least successful in NHL history.
However, considering the significance of hosting the draft and the subsequent lack of impact from their selections, the 1995 draft class stands out as one of the worst in Oilers history, second only to the infamous 1990 class.
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