Keeping our fingers crossed for the "City of Champions" although the slogan is no longer there as you enter from Calgary Trail
Yea, that sign went up in 1988 and was taken down about 10 years ago.
Ironically, the year 1988 was when Peter Pockington (team owner) traded Gretzky. The fans were so upset they and the Players went to the House of Commons to lobby the government to block the trade. The Players also threaten to strike without Gretzky on the team.
A bunch of other star Players were traded or left the team during those few years too. Peter Puck was a hated man in Edmonton back then.
The city said they put up the sign as a welcome to Olympic sports events and to show they had what it takes to hold a Olympic event. Mostly cause back then and prior to, Edmonton and Calgary sometimes played as the same team in certain leagues, just alternated games to play.
I think Calgary hosted Olympics that year or there abouts. And I think some events were held in Edmonton, I can't be sure of my memory about that thou.
But that sign always meant to the people of Alberta that it was for the Edmonton Oilers Hockey team and the football team too (who were a dynasty themselves for a few years).
I had hated seeing that sign thou, and was glad to see it taken down, as long as it was there it had always reminded me of the year we lost the Great One
