Longtime Oilers locker room attendant Joey Moss dies at 57

Canadian PressOctober 27, 2020 - 10:46am

Watch as Gene Principe joins Danielle Michaud and Faizal Khamisa of Sportsnet Central to remember the life and legacy of longtime Edmonton Oilers and Football Team locker room attendant Joey Moss who passed away at the age of 57.

EDMONTON — Joey Moss, a longtime Edmonton Oilers locker room attendant, died Monday at the age of 57.

The #Oilers organization is extremely saddened by the passing of our dear friend & colleague, the legendary Joey Moss.

Once an Oiler, always an Oiler.

RIP, Joey. pic.twitter.com/KJSkN9oO9W

— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) October 27, 2020

The entire EE Football Team organization is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Joey Moss.
Edmonton lost a hero today. Joey’s bravery, humor, strength, work ethic & perseverance in our dressing room & in our community left indelible impressions that will live with us all. pic.twitter.com/8ATs8ckQMS

— EE Football Team (@EdmFootballTeam) October 27, 2020

Moss was born in 1963 with Down Syndrome, the 12th of 13 children to Lloyd and Sophie Moss.

He became the Oilers’ locker-room attendant in 1984 when superstar Wayne Gretzky was dating his older sister, Vikki. Moss joined the Edmonton Football Team in 1986 and held roles with both organizations for over 30 years.

With the greatest of all-time… and #99. Oil Country sure won’t be the same without you, Joey. Thanks for always brightening up any day and may you rest easy my friend. pic.twitter.com/p7yGRqTdbk

— Connor McDavid (@cmcdavid97) October 27, 2020

Someone who could brighten your day with just a smile or a wink. May you rest in peace Joey, you will be missed by so many. pic.twitter.com/ecuxIBiWPU

— Taylor Hall (@hallsy09) October 27, 2020

Janet & I are saddened to learn about the passing of Joey Moss. Not only was Joey a fixture in the Edmonton dressing room, he was someone I truly considered a friend. We will miss you Joey and you will always live on through our memories. Our thoughts are with Joey’s loved ones. pic.twitter.com/5ucUQhcWQp

— Wayne Gretzky Estates (@GretzkyEstates) October 27, 2020

Very sad to hear this. Joey was such a fixture of @EdmontonOilers and always a joy to be around. A life that changed and touched many. RIP Joey. https://t.co/DTzhoGDmfo

— Hayley Wickenheiser (@wick_22) October 26, 2020

Condolences to the family and friends of Joey Moss. Every team needs someone like Joey. Peace to everyone in the city of Edmonton, I know how much he meant to you. RIP.

— Jeff Marek (@JeffMarek) October 26, 2020

Joey Moss really was the best of this city, working with the passion of a million burning suns for the sports and things he loved and touching too many lives to ever be able to count. #yeg #Yegcc #oilers pic.twitter.com/xNCTqOcKw0

— Courtney Theriault (@cspotweet) October 26, 2020

RIP Joey Moss @EdmontonOilers One of the people you always looked forward to seeing when playing in Edmonton. A pure soul he will be missed.

— Sean Burke (@SBurkie1) October 27, 2020

pic.twitter.com/ORzPBzXiqp

— Milan Lucic (@27MilanLucic) October 27, 2020

Heartbreaking to hear about Joey Moss passing away. He is the soul of the @EdmontonOilers. I’ll remember him singing the anthem w/pride, getting fired up about wrestling and always asking if I combed my hair with a pork chop. My deepest condolences to the Moss family. pic.twitter.com/Ssa0ZBcoSn

— Andrew Ference (@Ferknuckle) October 27, 2020

So sad to hear our friend Joey Moss has passed away. He was an amazing human being and will be dearly missed. Forever an Oiler. Rest In peace Mosser.

— Louie DeBrusk (@LouDeBrusk) October 27, 2020

He worked with the CFL club from the opening of training camp in June until mid-August, at which time he headed over to the Oilers locker-room for the NHL season _ capturing the hearts of Edmonton sports fans along the way, particularly with his enthusiastic participation in the national anthem before the start of every hockey game.

Moss helped the training staff with such tasks as filling water bottles and equipment duties, but became more than an attendant over the years by providing inspiration to everyone in the locker-room.

Moss was awarded the NHL Alumni Association’s “Seventh Man Award” in 2003, for those “whose behind-the-scenes efforts make a difference in the lives of others.”

This was just over a year ago on his birthday. Now news that he's gone. What a life he lived. All those @EdmontonOilers legends and Joey was one of them. #RIPJoey https://t.co/kUoLrk8LYV

— Gene Principe (@GenePrincipe) October 26, 2020

Very sad to hear the passing of the legend Joey Moss. Condolences to his family, friends and @EdmontonOilers.

— Johnny Boychuk (@joboych) October 27, 2020

A little numb and horribly saddened by the news… but #yeg legend Joey Moss has passed away at the age of 57. Not even sure where to start… but condolences to the entire Moss, Eskimo & Oiler Families. He left a wonderful legacy & will be deeply missed by so many. #RIPJoeyMoss pic.twitter.com/GvyeqTFjiB

— Bryn Griffiths (@BrynMightyMouth) October 26, 2020

In October 2008, Moss was honoured with a mural in Edmonton for his service with both clubs. In 2012, he received a Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee medal honouring significant contributions and achievements by Canadians, and was inducted into the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame in 2015.

Moss also inspired the Joey Moss Cup, a tournament held at the end of Oilers’ training camp.

COMMENTS

When submitting content, please abide by our submission guidelines, and avoid posting profanity, personal attacks or harassment. Should you violate our submissions guidelines, we reserve the right to remove your comments and block your account. Sportsnet reserves the right to close a story’s comment section at any time.