I became a fan of the Oilers circa 1982/83 when my Dad came home from a work-trip and had bought me this photo book:
I had just learned to read, and I went through this book about 20,000 times over the next several years, reading and re-reading the player bios and memorizing the players' numbers and so on. Unfortunately, I was still too young to stay up late and watch hockey games, but I vaguely remember watching the odd match circa 1983/1984. One of my best friends (same age) was at the 1984 game when Pat Hughes scored 5 goals, and I remember them winning the first Cup, but I was in bed when it happened. During 1984-85, I was a big fan of new guy, Mike Krushelnyski, but I still had to go to bed early and couldn't watch the end of the games.
The first Oilers' game I clearly remember watching live, in full, is this one:
Not a bad way to start!
In early 1986, I moved to Ontario with my mom for a few months, and while there (and immersed in Leafs' loser mania), the Oilers were eliminated by Calgary. I didn't see it happen, but I sure heard about it and couldn't believe it. I thought it was impossible for them to lose.
During 1986-87 at some point, I started watching them regularly (I was old enough to stay up late to watch the end of games now). I guess my fondest memories of them are the 1986-87 team and the 1987-88 team. I think my happiest time watching NHL hockey was the 1988 playoffs, especially the Oilers' sweep of Calgary. A lot of us didn't think Edmonton might win that year, and they suddenly put it all together and just blew every team away that spring. I don't think I've ever seen a better hockey team than the Oilers' from mid-April to end-of-May 1988. Without Coffey, they took fewer offensive chances and were tougher in the back-end, but still had the best forwards in the League. The power-play, after a disappointing season, suddenly took off and went gangbusters in the playoffs.
I guess I most closely followed them from about 1986 to 1991. I recall seeing them practice a few times at West Edmonton Mall. That was awesome.