“Joey Moss: The Heart of the Edmonton Oilers — How a Locker Room Legend with Down Syndrome Became the Soul of a Franchise and a City”
Joey Moss was never a goal scorer, never suited up for a single shift, and never appeared on a game stat sheet. But for generations of Edmonton Oilers players, staff, and fans, he was the heartbeat of the franchise—the soul behind the scenes, the unwavering presence whose spirit transcended the ice. Born with Down syndrome in 1963, Joey Moss defied societal expectations, broke barriers with quiet dignity, and left behind a legacy of love, loyalty, and inclusion that forever reshaped the culture of a team and the heart of a city.
Joey’s story began not with a stick or skates, but with a family connection. In the early 1980s, Wayne Gretzky was dating Joey’s sister, Vikki. During a visit to the Moss household, Gretzky observed Joey’s dedication, his relentless energy, and his boundless enthusiasm. Joey, who was working at a bottle depot at the time, impressed Gretzky with his work ethic and his infectious joy. Gretzky knew immediately that there was a place for Joey with the Oilers—not out of charity, but because he had something real to offer. Gretzky brought the idea to Glen Sather, the Oilers’ general manager and coach at the time, and soon after, Joey joined the team as a locker room attendant. That decision would ripple through history in ways no one could have imagined.
What started as a job became a calling. Joey’s presence in the locker room quickly became more than functional. Sure, he folded towels, filled water bottles, and helped with gear, but it was the way he did those things—with purpose, pride, and positivity—that made all the difference. He wasn’t just a guy helping out. He was family. He was the one who greeted players after tough losses with a smile, who danced with joy after big wins, and who sang the national anthem with unfiltered emotion. Joey had a way of cutting through the noise, of reminding everyone what really mattered: effort, kindness, and joy.
Joey Moss was there through it all—the Oilers’ glory years in the 1980s, when names like Gretzky, Messier, Kurri, and Coffey became synonymous with dominance. As the team hoisted five Stanley Cups in seven years, Joey was right there with them, his fingerprints—though unseen—part of every triumph. He celebrated in the background, but everyone in the room knew his importance. He became a fixture in team photos, championship celebrations, and the everyday grind of NHL life. Over time, new generations of players came and went, but Joey remained, a living bridge between eras. Kevin Lowe, Ryan Smyth, Sam Gagner, and countless others would speak in awe of the lessons Joey taught them—not through speeches, but through example.
One of the most defining characteristics of Joey Moss was his consistency. In a profession known for its volatility, where trades and firings and slumps are part of the norm, Joey was a comforting constant. His presence reminded players to treat each other with respect, to find gratitude in the grind, and to never take a single moment for granted. His laughter was legendary, his hugs sincere. He didn’t just love hockey—he lived it. And his passion was contagious.
But Joey’s impact extended beyond the walls of Rogers Place. He was also a long-time attendant for the Edmonton Eskimos football team (now Edmonton Elks), further entrenching himself as a beloved figure across the sports landscape in Alberta. In a world that too often marginalizes people with disabilities, Joey’s dual-sport career was a defiant statement. He wasn’t just allowed to be part of the team—he was celebrated. He wasn’t a mascot—he was a mentor, a friend, and a source of strength.
Joey Moss’s contributions did not go unnoticed. Over the years, he received numerous honors and accolades. He was inducted into the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame, a reflection not of his athletic feats, but of his cultural impact. The Oilers named their annual intrasquad scrimmage the Joey Moss Cup, a symbolic gesture that ensured his name would be forever associated with the organization. There were tribute videos, ceremonies, and awards—but the real tribute was always in the way people spoke about him. Ask anyone who crossed paths with Joey, and their eyes light up. There’s a reverence, a genuine love, and a shared understanding that he represented something rare and pure in a competitive world often ruled by ego.
When Joey Moss passed away in 2020 at the age of 57, the outpouring of grief was immediate and profound. It wasn’t just an Edmonton story. The entire hockey world mourned. NHL stars, coaches, broadcasters, and fans from across North America shared memories, tributes, and photos. Social media lit up with clips of Joey singing “O Canada,” dancing in the locker room, or smiling with his unmistakable warmth. Wayne Gretzky, in a heartfelt message, called him “the greatest teammate I ever had.” That sentiment echoed everywhere. Because Joey Moss wasn’t defined by Down syndrome—he was defined by his heart. And that heart left a permanent mark on those around him.
In Edmonton, Joey’s memory became a movement. Murals were painted across the city. Fans left flowers and jerseys at Rogers Place. The Oilers stitched “Joey” patches on their uniforms. A statue was commissioned in his honor. And through all of this, something beautiful happened: people began having deeper conversations about inclusion, about the importance of giving everyone a chance to contribute, and about how greatness takes many forms.
Joey Moss’s story became a rallying point—not just for fans, but for communities seeking to celebrate individuals with disabilities in authentic and meaningful ways. His legacy inspired families, schools, and workplaces to rethink what it means to support and empower people of all abilities. His life became proof that inclusion isn’t just a nice idea—it’s a winning one. Joey didn’t just fit in with the Oilers; he made them better.
Today, the spirit of Joey Moss is alive and well. It’s in the smiles of kids attending Oilers games for the first time. It’s in the work ethic of young players who understand that greatness starts in the details. It’s in the city of Edmonton, which continues to honor his legacy not out of obligation, but out of gratitude. For decades, Joey gave everything he had to the team, and in return, the team—and the city—gave him their hearts.
His name may never hang from the rafters alongside those of Gretzky or Messier, but his impact is arguably even deeper. Banners fade, stats are forgotten, but stories endure. And the story of Joey Moss is one that will be told as long as the Edmonton Oilers exist. It’s the story of a young man who turned towels into triumph, who turned ordinary tasks into extraordinary acts of love, and who turned a locker room job into a lifelong mission of joy.
Every time an Oilers player laces up their skates, every time a fan cheers from the stands, and every time someone sings the national anthem with unfiltered passion, Joey is there. Not in body, but in spirit. Because Joey Moss showed us what true greatness looks like. And it doesn’t need a jersey number or a stat line. It just needs heart.
In the history of the Edmonton Oilers—a franchise rich with legends—Joey Moss holds a singular place. He reminded everyone that it’s not the points on the board that define a legacy. It’s the people you lift up, the kindness you spread, and the love you give freely and without condition. Joey did all of that, and more.
His life was a quiet revolution, a daily lesson in dignity, perseverance, and humanity. And though he may be gone, Joey Moss will always be part of Edmonton. Always part of the Oilers. Always part of the game.
