Lowe was the first player ever selected by the Edmonton Oilers in the NHL Draft and played more regular-season games (1,037) and Stanley Cup Playoff games (172) with them than anyone else. He played on six Stanley Cup-winning teams, five with the Oilers and one with the New York Rangers-- a team that included six of his teammates from his days with Edmonton -- and was voted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2020.
The Oilers joined the NHL from the World Hockey Association in 1979 and chose, Lowe, a defenseman, in the first round (No. 21) of the 1979 NHL Draft. He stepped into their lineup that fall and had 21 points (two goals, 19 assists) in 64 games; his first NHL goal, on Oct. 10, 1979, was also the first NHL goal in Oilers history. He scored 10 goals in 1980-81, the only time he reached double figures in goals in the NHL, and finished with an NHL career-high 46 points (four goals, 42 assists) in 1983-84, when the Oilers won their first of five Stanley Cup championships in a span of seven seasons.
Lowe was the first player ever selected by the Edmonton Oilers in the NHL Draft and played more regular-season games (1,037) and Stanley Cup Playoff games (172) with them than anyone else. He played on six Stanley Cup-winning teams, five with the Oilers and one with the New York Rangers - a team that included six of his teammates from his days with Edmonton.
The Oilers joined the NHL from the World Hockey Association in 1979 and chose, Lowe, a defenseman, in the first round (No. 21) of the 1979 NHL Draft. He stepped into their lineup that fall and had 21 points (two goals, 19 assists) in 64 games; his first NHL goal, on Oct. 10, 1979, was also the first NHL goal in Oilers history. He scored 10 goals in 1980-81, the only time he reached double figures in goals in the NHL, and finished with an NHL career-high 46 points (four goals, 42 assists) in 1983-84, when the Oilers won their first of five Stanley Cup championships in a span of seven seasons.
But the Oilers didn't need Lowe's offense; they had plenty. They needed someone who could move the puck but was willing to sacrifice offense for defense. Lowe was just the man for the job; from 1981-82 through 1989-90, he finished at least plus-13 and was better than plus-40 twice.
Lowe was named captain of the Oilers for the 1991-92 season after Mark Messier was traded to the New York Rangers, then joined Messier in New York when the Oilers traded him to the Rangers on Dec. 11, 1992.
As was the case in Edmonton, Lowe provided the Rangers with a solid, stay-at-home presence on defense, serving as a counterpoint to offense-minded defensemen such as Brian Leetch and Sergei Zubov. He won his sixth Stanley Cup championship in 1994, when the Rangers outlasted the Vancouver Canucks in a seven-game Final for their first title in 54 years.
Lowe played four seasons with the Rangers before returning to Edmonton as a free agent on Sept. 28, 1996. He retired after the 1997-98 season with 431 points (84 goals, 347 assists) in 1,254 NHL games, as well as 58 points (10 goals, 48 assists) in 214 Stanley Cup Playoff games.
After retiring, Lowe remained with the Oilers in a variety of positions, including stints as coach and general manager. He joined a host of his former Edmonton teammates when he was elected to the Hall of Fame 22 years after retiring as a player.
NOTES & TRANSACTIONS
- QMJHL Second All-Star Team (1978, 1979)
- Played in NHL All-Star Game (1984, 1985, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1993)
- Traded to NY Rangers by Edmonton for Roman Oksiuta and NY Rangers' 3rd round pick (Alexander Kerch) in 1993 NHL Draft, December 11, 1992.
- Signed as a free agent by Edmonton, September 28, 1996.
