The Edmonton Oilers are a franchise in the National Hockey League (NHL), based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. They originated as one of the twelve founding franchises of the World Hockey Association (WHA) in 1972, remaining with the league until it ceased operation after the 1978–79 season. The Oilers were one of four remaining WHA franchises to be admitted to the NHL as expansion teams for the 1979–80 season. As of the current 2019–20 season, 542 players have worn the Oilers jersey in the NHL. Sixteen of those NHL Oilers also played at least one game for the WHA Oilers.