SHOCKING NEWS: Edmonton Oilers legendary coach, Glen Sather has finally ended it, with surprising retirement announcement, sending shockwaves through NHL community..

In a move that stunned much of the hockey world, legendary coach and executive **Glen Sather** has officially announced that he is stepping away from the game—ending one of the most influential and decorated careers in NHL history.

The news broke early Monday morning, when Sather released a statement through the Edmonton Oilers organization, confirming that after more than five decades in professional hockey, he is retiring from all official roles and advisory capacities.

> “It’s time,” Sather’s statement began. “I’ve been fortunate to live this incredible life in hockey—to work with great players, great people, and great fans. The game has given me everything. Now, it’s time to step aside and let a new generation shape what comes next.”

The announcement sent ripples throughout the NHL community, prompting an outpouring of tributes from players, coaches, and executives who have long regarded Sather as one of the architects of modern hockey culture.

### A Legacy Etched in Gold and Glory

Glen Sather, now 82, will forever be synonymous with the Edmonton Oilers dynasty of the 1980s—a powerhouse team he helped build, coach, and inspire into one of the greatest in NHL history. Under his leadership, the Oilers captured **five Stanley Cups between 1984 and 1990**, a feat that cemented the team’s place among hockey’s immortals and established Edmonton as the beating heart of Canadian hockey excellence.

As the man behind the bench and later in the front office, Sather oversaw the rise of legends like **Wayne Gretzky, Mark Messier, Jari Kurri, Paul Coffey, and Grant Fuhr.** His ability to blend creativity, toughness, and loyalty became the foundation of Edmonton’s dynasty—and a model emulated by teams for decades.

After leaving Edmonton in the late 1990s, Sather went on to serve as general manager and president of the **New York Rangers**, guiding them through periods of both rebuilding and resurgence. Even in his advisory role in recent years, Sather’s influence remained deeply felt—his counsel sought by GMs across the league.

### “A Builder in Every Sense of the Word”

Following the announcement, tributes poured in from across the NHL.

Wayne Gretzky, perhaps Sather’s most iconic protégé, released a statement calling him “a builder in every sense of the word.”

> “Slats gave me my first real chance. He trusted young players, believed in offensive hockey, and taught us to believe in each other. The game owes him more than we can ever repay,” Gretzky said.

Current Oilers CEO Jeff Jackson described Sather’s departure as “the end of an era,” while NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman praised his “unmatched vision and impact.”

> “Glen Sather was not only a winner—he was a pioneer,” Bettman said. “He understood the evolution of the game before most people saw it coming. His fingerprints are still all over the way hockey is played and managed today.”

### A Sudden Decision

Though Sather had gradually reduced his involvement with the Rangers and the league over the past few seasons, insiders say the timing of this decision came as a surprise. Sources close to Sather indicated that his choice was motivated not by health concerns, but by a desire for peace and time away from the daily grind of professional hockey.

> “He’s at peace with it,” said one longtime associate. “He’s proud of what he’s done. But he’s also aware that it’s time to let the next generation take over. He’s been saying for years that hockey is in good hands.”

### What Comes Next for Edmonton and the NHL

Sather’s departure leaves a void that extends far beyond the organizations he served. In Edmonton, there are calls for a **permanent tribute**—possibly a statue or special banner—to honor the man who helped turn a prairie franchise into a global hockey powerhouse.

Around the NHL, uncertainty lingers about how his absence will reshape front-office dynamics. Sather was one of the league’s last true “old guard” figures—part of a generation that blended instinct with innovation. His exit, many observers say, symbolizes a broader generational handoff within the sport’s leadership.

### The Final Word

As he exits the stage, Glen Sather leaves behind a legacy few can match: **five Stanley Cups, over 700 wins behind the bench, and a lifetime devoted to the game’s growth.**

His final words in the press release summed up his enduring love for the sport:

> “I’ve seen hockey evolve in ways none of us could have imagined. But what’s never changed is its spirit—the teamwork, the courage, the joy of it. That’s what I’ll carry with me.”

And with that, one of the greatest builders in NHL history—perhaps the last link to the golden age of the 1980s Oilers—has officially closed the book on an extraordinary era.