Throwback Thursday: Today in 1999, Edmonton Oilers hire Kevin Lowe as head coach

Today in 1999, the Edmonton Oilers hired Kevin Lowe as their seventh coach in history.

Lowe, 30, was only two years removed from his playing career after retiring with the Oilers. In 1998-99, he served as an assistant coach for the Oilers under Ron Low, but when Low was let go they opted for another Lowe.

Kevin’s lone season behind the bench was a strong one. Edmonton posted a 32-26-16 record earning a berth into the playoffs. There, however, Edmonton faltered falling to the Dallas Stars in five games in the first round.

Not long after, Lowe was promoted to general manager and vice-president of hockey operations for the Oilers — roles he held in Edmonton for a long time.

I did a deep dive on Lowe’s time as general manager in a piece just this week.

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