Each summer, the NHL Draft brings its own kind of theatre. Young players sit nervously in the stands, waiting to hear their name called and their dream of an NHL career begin. However, the truth is that plenty of good players never hear that call. No stage. No handshake. No draft-day celebration. For some, that could be the end of the story. For others, it’s just the start of a different path.
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The Edmonton Oilers, a franchise defined by stars and storylines, have had their share of undrafted gems. Players who slipped through the cracks but went on to leave their mark. Here’s a look at three of the best Oilers who showed you don’t have to be drafted to become part of a team’s history.
Charlie Huddy – The Steady Hand Behind the Stars
When you think of the Oilers’ dynasty years, the names Wayne Gretzky, Mark Messier, Jari Kurri, and Paul Coffey usually come first. But behind all that firepower was Charlie Huddy, keeping things steady on the blue line.
Signed as a free agent in 1979, Huddy didn’t come with hype. What he brought was reliability. He wasn’t flashy—he didn’t need to be. Over the next decade, Huddy became a defensive anchor, doing the little things that allowed the stars to shine. His efforts helped Edmonton win five Stanley Cups, and he finished his career with over 1,000 games played, 99 goals, and 453 points.
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Huddy wasn’t always in the spotlight, but he was one of those players you only truly appreciate if you were watching closely. He was proof that greatness doesn’t always announce itself—it just shows up, night after night.
Curtis Joseph – The Goalie Who Gave the Oilers a Chance
For fans who followed the Oilers in the late ’90s, the mention of Curtis Joseph—Cujo—still brings a grin. Undrafted out of Wisconsin, Joseph earned his stripes in St. Louis before arriving in Edmonton in 1995. What he brought was pure heart: an athletic, never-quit style that fit the city’s blue-collar identity perfectly.
Curtis Joseph, when he was with the Toronto Maple Leafs (Dave Sandford/Getty Images/NHLI)
Joseph’s time in Edmonton wasn’t long, but it was unforgettable. The 1997 Playoffs cemented his place in Oilers lore. Facing the powerhouse Dallas Stars, Joseph stood on his head. His overtime glove save on Joe Nieuwendyk in Game 7 remains one of the greatest moments in franchise history.
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He gave Edmonton three seasons of hope during a lean era and went on to record 454 NHL wins, one of the top marks in league history. The fact that no team thought he was draft-worthy almost makes his story all the more compelling. Their oversight was Edmonton’s gift.
Adam Oates – A Final Act from a Master Playmaker
By the time Adam Oates signed with the Oilers in 2003, he was already a Hall of Fame-caliber playmaker. Undrafted out of RPI, he had built a career on vision and precision passing, often seeing the ice better than anyone else.
Oates was also one of the best faceoff men in the game. In his time with the Oilers, he served as a faceoff mentor to Jarret Stoll. Stoll became known for his exceptional faceoff skills during his NHL career. He played for the Oilers from 2002 to 2006 and was then traded to the Los Angeles Kings. There, he continued to excel in the faceoff circle. Stoll’s proficiency in faceoffs was a significant asset to the Kings, contributing to their success during his tenure. While Stoll was a good learner, he can thank Oates for his successful teaching.
Adam Oates, with the Washington Capitals. (Photo by Mitchell Layton /Getty Images /NHLI)
His stint in Edmonton was brief—just 60 games—but it carried weight. Oates wasn’t there to dominate the scoresheet anymore. Instead, he brought leadership, experience, and a sense of professionalism that rubbed off on younger players. Even at 40, he showed flashes of why he’s remembered as one of the greatest passers in NHL history, finishing his career with 1,420 points, including an incredible 1,079 assists.
Oates’ impact in Edmonton wasn’t about numbers. It was about leaving a standard for how to play the game the right way.
Three Players Who Were More Than a Missed Draft Day Story
The NHL Draft matters, but it isn’t the whole story. Huddy, Joseph, and Oates all proved that what happens after draft day can define a career just as much as what happens on it.
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Huddy showed that consistency is its own kind of greatness. Joseph showed that heart and determination can create unforgettable moments. Oates showed that vision and intelligence can leave a lasting mark.
For every kid who’s been overlooked, these three Oilers serve as reminders: you don’t need a draft pick to make an impact. All it takes is one chance—and the will to run with it.
[Note: I’d like to thank Brent Bradford (PhD) for his help co-authoring this post. His profile can be found at www.linkedin.com/in/brent-bradford-phd-3a10022a9]
