The goal horn blares. It’s loud. It’s obnoxious. If you’re stuck in traffic on the Whitemud or White Avenue, that sound through your car speakers is basically a religious experience. Honestly, there is something about listening to the Edmonton Oilers on radio that a 4K television broadcast just can't replicate. It’s the tension in the commentator’s voice when Connor McDavid picks up speed in the neutral zone. You can hear the skates dig into the ice. You can hear the desperation in the opposing team's announcer. It’s visceral.
For decades, the Oilers have been a staple of Alberta airwaves. While most people think radio is a dying medium, hockey fans in Edmonton know better. When the playoffs roll around and the city turns into a literal sea of orange, the radio broadcast becomes the heartbeat of the town. Whether you're at work, in the garage, or just can't stand the national TV announcers, the local radio call is where the real soul of the team lives.
The Voice of the City: 630 CHED and the Legacy of the Call
If you’ve lived in Edmonton for more than five minutes, you know 630 CHED. It’s the home of the Oilers. It has been for a long, long time. Following in the footsteps of legends like Rod Phillips—the man who voiced the dynasty years—isn’t easy. Phillips was the soundtrack to five Stanley Cups. When he screamed "Scuoooooore!" it wasn't just a report of a goal; it was an emotional release for an entire province.
Today, Jack Michaels and Bob Stauffer carry that torch. Jack Michaels is... well, he’s a firecracker. He brings a level of energy that makes a mid-January game against a basement-dweller feel like Game 7 of the Finals. His pacing is frantic but precise. He describes the play with a cadence that allows you to map the rink in your mind.
Then you have Bob Stauffer. Bob is the insider’s insider. He knows who had what for breakfast at the team hotel. His analysis during Oilers Now and the game intermissions provides a level of depth that national broadcasts simply don't have the time or the local knowledge to provide. He’s often the first one to hint at a trade or a line change because he’s in the room. He’s part of the fabric.
Why the Radio Feed Hits Different
Television is passive. You sit. You watch. You get distracted by your phone.
Radio is active.
👉 See also: Last Match Man City: Why Newcastle Couldn't Stop the Semenyo Surge
You have to build the game in your head. When the announcer says Leon Draisaitl is "setting up in his office" on the power play, you know exactly where he is. You can see him hovering near the right circle, waiting for that cross-seam pass. The radio broadcast forces you to be a part of the play. It’s a shared hallucination between the announcer and the listener.
Also, let's be real: sometimes the TV guys are boring. They try to be "balanced." They don't want to sound like "homers." On the local radio feed, they want the Oilers to win. They feel the heartbreak of a late-third-period collapse just as much as you do. That bias isn't a flaw; it's the whole point.
How to Listen to Edmonton Oilers on Radio Anywhere
You aren't always in your car. Maybe you're at the gym. Maybe you're out of the province. In 2026, catching the Edmonton Oilers on radio is easier than it used to be, but it can still be a bit of a headache if you don't know where to look.
- The Traditional Way: Good old AM radio. If you’re in the Edmonton area, tune your dial to 630 AM. It’s reliable. It works even when your data plan is screaming for mercy.
- The Digital Stream: You can stream 630 CHED directly through their website or the iHeartRadio app.
- The NHL App: Most people forget this, but the official NHL app usually carries the home and away radio feeds for every single game. It’s often the cleanest audio quality if you have a stable internet connection.
- Smart Speakers: Just tell your device to "Play 630 CHED." It’s a lifesaver when you're cooking dinner and don't want to get grease on your phone.
One thing to keep in mind is the "sync" issue. If you're trying to listen to the radio while watching the TV on mute (a common move for fans who prefer Jack Michaels over the national TV crew), the radio is almost always ahead of the TV. It’s annoying. You hear the goal 10 seconds before you see it. Some high-end receivers allow you to delay the audio, but for most of us, it’s a struggle of timing.
The "Oilers Now" Factor
You can't talk about the Oilers on the radio without mentioning the sheer volume of weekday content. It’s not just game day. Oilers Now with Bob Stauffer is basically the daily briefing for the "Oil Country" citizens.
✨ Don't miss: Cowboys Score: Why Dallas Just Can't Finish the Job When it Matters
It’s where the debates happen. Should they trade for a defensive defenseman? Is the goaltending actually the problem, or is it the system? Stauffer brings on guests like Elliotte Friedman and Brian Lawton, bridging the gap between local fandom and national NHL insider knowledge. It's a three-hour deep dive into the minutiae of the roster. For the hardcore fan, this is better than the games themselves. It's the soap opera of sports.
Misconceptions About the Radio Broadcast
People think radio is for old guys. They think it’s for people who don't have a TV. That's just wrong.
In reality, some of the most dedicated fans are the ones who rely on the radio. Think about the long-haul truckers crossing the Prairies. Think about the oil field workers up in Fort McMurray who are listening on a grainy signal in a pickup truck. For these people, the radio isn't a backup option. It’s a lifeline to home. It’s the connection to a community they aren't physically in at the moment.
Another misconception: "You can't tell what's happening."
Actually, a good radio announcer like Jack Michaels provides more detail than a TV announcer. On TV, the announcer doesn't need to tell you that the puck is in the corner because you can see it. On the radio, they have to describe the puck's trajectory, the speed of the skater, and the posture of the goalie. You end up with a much more technical understanding of the game.
What Happens When the Signal Fades?
The struggle is real when you hit those dead zones between Edmonton and Calgary. You’re driving south, the game is tied, and suddenly the signal starts to crackle. You find yourself leaning toward the dashboard as if that will help. You start scanning the AM band, hoping a sister station is picking up the feed.
🔗 Read more: Jake Paul Mike Tyson Tattoo: What Most People Get Wrong
This is where the transition to digital has really saved the experience. Even in the middle of nowhere, if you can get a bar of LTE or 5G, you’ve got the game. The days of losing the broadcast right as the overtime winner is scored are mostly over, thank god.
The Role of the Color Commentator
While the play-by-play guy gets the glory, the color commentator—usually a former player—provides the "why." On the Edmonton Oilers radio feed, they don't sugarcoat it. If a defenseman makes a lazy pinch, they’ll call it out. If a winger is "floating" and not hitting his assignments, you’ll hear about it. This raw honesty is refreshing compared to the often-sanitized world of corporate TV sports.
Actionable Steps for the Ultimate Listening Experience
If you want to get the most out of the Edmonton Oilers on radio, don't just turn on a speaker and walk away.
- Invest in decent headphones. If you’re listening via a stream, a good pair of noise-canceling headphones makes the rink sounds pop. You'll hear the puck hitting the post and the chatter between players during a scrum.
- Sync the audio if you can. If you’re watching the game on a delay or via a streaming service like Sportsnet+, use a laptop to play the radio feed. You can pause the radio stream for a few seconds to perfectly line it up with the TV image. It takes patience, but it’s worth it.
- Check the schedule for "Oilers Now." Even if you can't catch the live show, subscribe to the podcast version. It’s the best way to stay informed about injuries and roster moves before they hit the mainstream news cycle.
- Participate. Most radio shows have a text line. If you're annoyed about a power play unit or a specific coaching decision, send a text. They read them on air. It makes you feel like you're actually part of the conversation rather than just a silent observer.
The Edmonton Oilers are more than just a hockey team; they are a massive part of the city’s identity. The radio broadcast is the most intimate way to experience that. It’s fast, it’s loud, and it’s local. So next time there's a game, try turning off the TV and turning up the radio. You might find you actually prefer the "theatre of the mind."