EDMONTON — A banner with Glen Sather’s name on it now hangs from the rafters at Rexall Place.
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Sather, who wore the Oilers’ sweater in the WHA, coached the NHL’s greatest dynasty and managed in Edmonton for two decades, was honoured during a ceremony Friday night before the Oilers game against the New York Rangers.
Sather’s banner has an image of five Stanley Cups on it; one representing each victory he helped lead the team to.
Sather was joined at centre ice by his wife, children, grandchildren and several Oilers alums to as his banner was raised to the rafters.
“It’s hard to believe it’s been 15 years since I left Edmonton for New York, but every time I come back, it feels like I never left,” Sather said as he addressed the fans at Rexall Place.
“Anyone who’s ever lived here and left will attest, when you come back, you feel like you’re coming home.”
A video of his time with the team was played on the jumbotron. Sather also presented with an original painting from the tribute gala, which was held in his honour Thursday night. He was also given a framed miniature version of his banner.
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“I want to thank you, the hockey fans in Edmonton. You represent this city and this sport with such an incredible passion and knowledge and I will always remember your loyalty and support. It’s difficult to put into words my gratitude for this honour. My sincere wish is that every one of you in this building has experienced something, anything in your life, that makes you feel like I do right now, the luckiest person on earth,” Sather said.
New York Rangers President Glen Sather (C) speaks during ceremonies honouring him at Rexall Place prior to a game against the Edmonton Oilers on December 11, 2015 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
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Former Edmonton Oilers coach Glen Sather is honored with a banner raising prior to the NHL hockey game between the Edmonton Oilers and the New York Rangers, in Edmonton, Alta., on Friday, December 11, 2015.
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Former Edmonton Oilers coach Glen Sather, right, is presented with a painting depicting important individuals from Oilers history in a Last Supper setting, by Kevin Lowe, vice-chairman of Oilers Entertainment Group, left, and Bob Nicholson, centre, Chief Executive Officer and Vice-Chairman of the Oilers Entertainment Group, prior to the NHL hockey game between the Edmonton Oilers and the New York Rangers, in Edmonton, Alta., on Friday, December 11, 2015.
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Former Edmonton Oilers coach Glen Sather is honored with a banner raising prior to the NHL hockey game between the Edmonton Oilers and the New York Rangers, in Edmonton, Alta., on Friday, December 11, 2015.
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Glen Sather and his family watch the raising of his banner at Rexall place on December 11, 2015 at Rexall Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
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Glen Sather gives a speech after the raising of his banner to the rafters of Rexall place on December 11, 2015 at Rexall Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
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Glen Sather salutes the crowd at Rexall place after his banner raising ceremony on December 11, 2015 at Rexall Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
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Glen Sather is presented a painting by Kevin Lowe Bob Nicholson during his banner raising ceremony on December 11, 2015 at Rexall Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
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New York Rangers President Glen Sather (L) speaks during ceremonies honouring him at Rexall Place prior to a game against the Edmonton Oilers on December 11, 2015 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
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New York Rangers President Glen Sather (R) reacts to a painting presented to him by the Edmonton Oilers' CEO Bob Nicholson (obscurred)at Rexall Place on December 11, 2015 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
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New York Rangers President Glen Sather (L) waves to the crowd during ceremonies honouring him at Rexall Place prior to a game against the Edmonton Oilers on December 11, 2015 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
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New York Rangers President Glen Sather (C) speaks during ceremonies honouring him at Rexall Place prior to a game against the Edmonton Oilers on December 11, 2015 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
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