Stavanger Ishockeyklubb, commonly referred to as Stavanger Oilers, is a Norwegian professional ice hockey team based in Stavanger, Norway. They currently play in the Fjordkraftligaen, which is the top division in Norwegian ice hockey. As of 2023, it is the only team in the league from western Norway. The Oilers play their home matches in DNB Arena.
DNB Arena, the home arena of Stavanger Oilers, was opened in 2012. It has a capacity of 4377 spectators
History
Stavanger Oilers were established as a company team by Finnish expatriate workers in 2000. Viking Hockey had traditionally been the dominant hockey club in Stavanger. The club's establishment was led by the Finnish businessman Hartti Kristola, who withdrew his economic support from Viking to focus on Oilers.
The club played their first official game in the autumn of 2001, with players from the higher divisions of Finnish hockey, as well as a number of former Norwegian national ice hockey team players[who?]. These played alongside amateur local players. Stavanger Oilers, starting at the bottom of the league system, went through the 2001/02 season unbeaten, scoring 304 goals. The club top scorer, Finnish forwardJari Kesti, scored or assisted on 226 of them.
In 2002/03 Oilers went through their first 18 games unbeaten. Ahead of the season, the team received more Finnish players, as well as two of Viking Hockey's players, Tommy Edlund and Thomas Kristensen. The club's first loss came away against Gjøvik Hockey, was followed by another loss the next day to the same team. Oilers also got beaten by local rivals Bergen IK, who were the first team to defeat Oilers in Siddishallen. The team reached first place at the end of the season, with Bergen finishing second. Player Jari Kesti scored 150 points from Oilers 296 goals, and countrymen Tomi Suoniemi and Jarkko Ollikainen both scored more than 100 points. Promotion to the GET-ligaen was secured following five victories in the qualification play-offs, with the only defeat coming against Bergen in a penalty shootout.
Ahead of its first season in the GET-ligaen, more Finnish players and some young Norwegian players joined Oilers. At the start of the season the team beat Lillehammer 5–1 in the opening match, followed by a 10–0 away win at Manglerud Star in the second match. The first defeat came at home against fellow promoters Bergen. At the end of the season, Oilers finished sixth in the table. Again, Jari Kesti was the club top scorer, for the third season in a row. In the playoffs, Oilers beat Trondheim by three games to one in the quarter-finals, winning the final game in sudden death in front of a sell-out crowd of 2600 people in Siddishallen. Teemu Kohvakka scored the deciding goal with only 14 seconds left of the first period of sudden death. In the semifinals, Oilers were beaten by Storhamar in three straight games.
The second elite season saw two players leave the club: Jari Kesti signed for Vålerenga and Christian Dahl Andersen went to Swedish side Arboga. Both came back during the same seasons, after unsuccessful stints in their new clubs. Owner Hartti Kristola withdrew his financial backing, and a local business executive, Tore Christensen, took over control of the club. Oilers' performances varied throughout the season, and after a loss against bottom side Bergen, Matti Riekkinen resigned as the team coach. He was replaced by SwedeGunnar Johansson in January 2005. The team finished the season in seventh place, losing against Vålerenga in the play-off quarter-finals.
Ahead of the 2005/06 season, Swedish players Bengt Höglund, Martin Johansson and Fredrik Sundin were brought in, along with the Norwegian national team player Snorre Hallem. The club had its best season to date, finishing in fourth place in the GET-ligaen. In the playoffs, Oilers beat Sparta Warriors by four games to two in the quarter-finals. In the semi-finals against second-placed Stjernen, each team won their home games until Oilers decided the series through a 2–1 victory in the seventh and final game of the series, away at Stjernehallen. The first-ever play-off final featured a hockey team from Stavanger ended in a defeat in four straight games against Vålerenga.
In the 2006/07 season, players joining included Henric Höglund from Stjernen and Norwegian national team players Marius Trygg and Lars Peder Nagel. At the end of the season, they finished in third place, which was still the club's best result to date. This was the third time that a team from Stavanger had won the bronze medals in the league, with Viking winning the bronze twice in the past. At the end of the season, past players Jari Kesti and Tomi Suoniemi were also honoured, as their respective shirt numbers, #7 and #22, were officially retired by the club. In the playoffs Comet were beaten by four games to two in the quarter-finals, while Oilers lost to Storhamar Dragons by the same score-line in the semi-finals. The club won the 2013–14 IIHF Continental Cup.
The Stavanger Oilers had a dominant 2022-2023 season in the Norwegian Eliteserien, claiming the regular season title and finishing first overall. Their offense was particularly impressive, racking up 192 goals while allowing just 83 over the 45-game season. The Oilers' consistency led them into the playoffs, where they continued to perform at a high level, eventually winning the league championship.
Key players for the team included forward Dan Kissel, known for his offensive contributions and experience. Alongside him, Bryce Gervais, another standout forward, added significant depth to their scoring lineup, contributing crucial points throughout the season. Martin Lefebvre also played a crucial role on defense, not only fortifying the team’s backline but also contributing offensively with a strong two-way game. Veteran Norwegian forward Tommy Kristiansen brought physicality and leadership, while Markus Søberg added both experience and skill, playing a central role in the team’s forward group.
Goaltending was another strong point, with Henrik Holm providing a reliable last line of defense. Holm's performance in net helped secure the Oilers' low goals-against record, reinforcing their position as one of the toughest teams to score against. With contributions across their lineup, the Stavanger Oilers’ team effort and standout individual performances were key to their championship-winning season.
Storhamar Hockey, often referred to by its initials SIL, is a Norwegian ice hockey team based in Hamar, Norway. The club currently plays in the EliteHockey Ligaen, the highest level of Norwegian hockey. The club has won eight regular season titles and seven national championships since its founding on 18 March 1957. Storhamar play their home games in the CC Amfi. The club also includes the largest junior department in Norwegian ice hockey. The team colours are yellow and blue.
EliteHockey Ligaen (EHL) is the premier Norwegian ice hockey league, organised by the Norwegian Ice Hockey Association. It comprises 10 clubs and works on the premise of promotion and relegation, in which the two teams who placed last must play the top two teams from First Division for the rights to play in the next Eliteserie season.
Lillehammer Ishockeyklubb is an ice hockey club based in Lillehammer, Norway and playing in the EliteHockey Ligaen (EHL). Home games are played in Eidsiva Arena, and occasionally in Håkons Hall.
Stjernen Hockey is a Norwegian ice hockey team based in Fredrikstad, Norway. They currently play in the EliteHockey Ligaen. They play their home games in Stjernehallen. Their team colours are red and white.
Christian Larrivée is a Canadian professional ice hockey player. He played in the North American minor leagues until 2006, when he moved to Europe.
The 2003–04 Eliteserien season ended with Storhamar Dragons claiming their fifth Norwegian title after defeating Vålerenga in double overtime in game 7. Michael Smithurst scored the game winner nearly two minutes into the second extra period in front of 7,405 spectators.
The 2009–10 GET-ligaen was the 71st season of Norway's premier ice hockey league, Eliteserien. The regular season began play on 12 September 2009 and concluded on 2 March 2010, with Vålerenga claiming their twenty-seventh League Championship after defeating Lillehammer 2–1 on 26 February. Vålerenga won the league twelve points ahead of the Sparta Warriors, who were defending champions. The league was contested by ten teams until Comet folded in October 2009, leaving nine teams to finish the regular season.
The 2004–05 UPC-ligaen was the 66th season of Norway's premier ice hockey league, Eliteserien, which as of this season became known as the UPC-ligaen after UPC had acquired the naming rights for five years. Vålerenga won both the League Championship and the Norwegian Championship, completing their nineteenth "double". A total of ten teams contested the league, including newcomers Comet who competed at the highest level for the first time.
The 2010–11 GET-ligaen is the 72nd season of Norway's premier ice hockey league, Eliteserien. The regular season began on 18 September 2010 and is scheduled to end on 27 February 2011.
The 2011–12 GET-ligaen was the 73rd season of Norway's premier ice hockey league, Eliteserien.
The 2012–13 GET-ligaen was the 74th season of Norway's premier ice hockey league, Eliteserien.
The 2013–14 GET-ligaen is the 75th and current season of Norway's premier ice hockey league, Eliteserien.
The 2014–15 GET-ligaen is the 76th and current season of Norway's premier ice hockey league, Eliteserien.
The 2015–16 GET-ligaen was the 77th and season of Norway's premier ice hockey league, Eliteserien.
The 2016–17 GET-ligaen was the 78th season of Norway's premier ice hockey league, GET-ligaen.
The 2017–18 GET-ligaen was the 79th season of Norway's premier ice hockey league, GET-ligaen.
The 2018–19 GET-ligaen was the 80th season of Norway's premier ice hockey league, GET-ligaen.
The 2021-22 Fjordkraftligaen was the 83rd season of Norway's premier ice hockey league, Eliteserien, and the 2nd under the sponsorship name Fjordkraftligaen.
The 2019–20 GET-ligaen was the 81st season of Norway's premier ice hockey league, Eliteserien, and the last under the sponsorship name GET-ligaen. The play-offs were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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