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List of ice hockey teams in Alberta

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Since hockey was introduced to Alberta in the 1890s, teams at all levels have come and gone. While the professional ranks have been confined to the major cities of Calgary and Edmonton, partially due to geographical isolation from the major eastern and pacific coast centres, junior and senior teams have thrived across the province.

Alberta is currently home to two National Hockey League teams, five Western Hockey League teams, the 16 team Alberta Junior Hockey League, as well as five Junior B hockey leagues comprising over 50 teams. The National Women's Hockey League is represented in Alberta, as are teams competing at the senior, university and college ranks.

This list does not include teams below the junior age group, or adult teams below Senior AAA.

Major Professional[edit | edit source]

National Hockey League[edit | edit source]

The Edmonton Oilers became the first National Hockey League team in Alberta as they were absorbed by the NHL when the WHA folded. The Calgary Flames arrived from Atlanta, Georgia the following year.

Team City Established Stanley Cups[1] Notes
Calgary Flames Calgary 1980 1 Founded in 1972 as the Atlanta Flames[2]
Edmonton Oilers Edmonton 1979 5 Founded in 1972 as a World Hockey Association franchise[3]

Western Canada Hockey League[edit | edit source]

The Western Canada Hockey League was the first major-professional league on the prairies. Founded in 1921, it collapsed due to escalating costs in 1926, and was reformed as the Prairie Hockey League from 1926-28.

Team City Existed[4] League titles[4] Notes
Calgary Tigers Calgary 1921-27 2* Appeared in 1924 Stanley Cup championship[1]
Edmonton Eskimos Edmonton 1921-27 1 Appeared in 1923 Stanley Cup championship.[1]

*Includes 1926-27 championship after league was renamed the Prairie Hockey League.[5]

World Hockey Association[edit | edit source]

The World Hockey Association had envisioned that franchises in Calgary and Edmonton would create an effective rivalry. When the Calgary Broncos were unable to start their inaugural season, the Oilers were briefly renamed the Alberta Oilers with the intention of splitting games between the two cities. This plan also failed to materialize.

Team City Existed Avco Cups[6] Notes
Calgary Broncos Calgary 1972 0 Original WHA franchise, folded before playing first game[7]
Calgary Cowboys Calgary 1975-77 0 Founded in 1972 as the Miami Screaming Eagles[7]
Edmonton Oilers Edmonton 1972-79 0 Known as the Alberta Oilers 1972-73; Joined the National Hockey League in 1979[3]

Minor Professional[edit | edit source]

American Hockey League[edit | edit source]

The Edmonton Oilers brought their American Hockey League franchise to the Alberta capital during the 2004-05 NHL lockout season. The team was suspended following the resumption of the NHL, and remains suspended.

Team City Existed Calder Cups Notes
Edmonton Road-Runners Edmonton 2004-05 0 Brought to Edmonton during the 2004-05 NHL lockout.[8]

Western Hockey League[edit | edit source]

The professional Western Hockey League was formed following a merger with the Pacific Coast Hockey League and the Western Canada Senior Hockey League. Both Alberta franchises lost their amateur status when they joined the new league.

Team City Existed[9] Lester Patrick Cups

[10]

Notes
Calgary Stampeders Calgary 1951-63 1
Edmonton Flyers Edmonton 1951-63 3

Junior[edit | edit source]

Western Hockey League[edit | edit source]

The Major-Junior Western Hockey League was formed in 1966 to strengthen junior hockey in the west. The Calgary Buffaloes were the only expansion team, as the other six founding members defected from existing leagues.

Current teams

Team City Established[11] President's Cups[12] Memorial Cups[13] Notes[11]
Calgary Hitmen Calgary 1995 1 0
Edmonton Oil Kings Edmonton 2007 0 0
Lethbridge Hurricanes Lethbridge 1987 1 0 Founded in 1967 as the Winnipeg Jets; known as the Calgary Wranglers (1977-87)
Medicine Hat Tigers Medicine Hat 1970 5 2
Red Deer Rebels Red Deer 1992 1 1

Former teams

Team City Existed[11] President's Cups[12] Memorial Cups[13] Notes[11]
Calgary Centennials Calgary 1966-77 0 0 Known as the Buffaloes in 1966-67; Became the Billings Bighorns (1977-82), Nanaimo Islanders (1982-83), New Westminster Bruins (1983-88) and Tri-City Americans (1988-present)
Calgary Wranglers Calgary 1977-87 0 0 Founded in 1967 as the Winnipeg Jets; Became Lethbridge Hurricanes in 1987
Edmonton Oil Kings Edmonton 1966-76 2 2* Founding pre-dates WHL; Became the Portland Winter Hawks in 1976
Edmonton Oil Kings Edmonton 1978-79 0 0 Founded in 1967 as the Flin Flon Bombers; Became Great Falls Americans (1979) and Spokane Flyers (1980-81)
Edmonton Ice Edmonton 1996-98 0 0 Became the Kootenay Ice in 1998
Lethbridge Broncos Lethbridge 1974-86 1 0 Founded in 1967 as the Swift Current Broncos; Returned to Swift Current in 1986

*The Oil Kings' two Memorial Cups predate the WHL.

Alberta Junior Hockey League[edit | edit source]

The Junior A Alberta Junior Hockey League was founded to improve the level of junior hockey in Alberta, motivated by the dominance of the Edmonton Oil Kings in the early 1960s.

Team City Established[14] League titles[15] Doyle Cups[15] Royal Bank Cups[15] Notes[16]
Bonnyville Pontiacs Bonnyville 1991 0 0 0
Brooks Bandits Brooks 2000 0 0 0
Calgary Canucks Calgary 1971 9 2 1
Calgary Royals Calgary 1990 1 0 0 Founded in 1972 as The Pass Red Devils; known as the Pincher Creek Panthers (1976-78) and the Calgary Chinooks/Spurs (1978-90)
Camrose Kodiaks Camrose 1997 4 4 1
Canmore Eagles Canmore 1995 0 0 0 Known as the Bow Valley Eagles (1995-01)
Drayton Valley Thunder Drayton Valley 1998 1 0 0
Drumheller Dragons Drumheller 2003 0 0 0
Fort McMurray Oil Barons Fort McMurray 1981 3 1 1
Grande Prairie Storm Grande Prairie 1995 1 0 0
Lloydminster Bobcats Lloydminster 1982 0 0 0 Known as the Lloydminster Blazers (1982-05). The team's arena lies one block on the Saskatchewan side of the biprovincial city.
Okotoks Oilers Okotoks 2005 0 0 0 Founded in 1998 as the Crowsnest Pass Timberwolves
Olds Grizzlys Olds 1981 3 1 1 Founded in 1974 as the Taber Golden Suns
St. Albert Steel St. Albert 2007 0 0 0 Founded in 1976 as the Fort Saskatchewan Traders
Sherwood Park Crusaders Sherwood Park 1978 0 0 0 Founded in 1976 as the Edmonton Crusaders
Spruce Grove Saints Spruce Grove 2004 0 0 0 Founded in 1963 as the Edmonton Movers; known as the Spruce Grove Mets (1974-77) and St. Albert Saints (1977-04)

WHA Junior West Hockey League[edit | edit source]

The WHA Junior West Hockey League was founded in 2006 in British Columbia and Washington. It expanded into Alberta in 2007. It is considered a "rebel" league by Hockey Canada. As such its players and officials are not allowed to participate in Hockey Canada sanctioned leagues in the same season as they participate in the WHA. In order to combat this, the WHA has aligned itself with the Greater Metro Junior A Hockey League in Ontario in a body called the National Junior Hockey Alliance.

Team City Established League titles NJHA Titles Notes
Barrhead River Kings Barrhead 2007 0 0

Junior B Hockey Leagues[edit | edit source]

League Region Established Provincial titles[17] Keystone Cup titles[18] Notes
Calgary Junior Hockey League Calgary 1945 4 1 8 teams
Capital Junior Hockey League Edmonton region 1972? 16 1 15 teams
Heritage Junior B Hockey League Southern Alberta 1987 3 1 15 teams - Airdrie Thunder, Okotoks Bisons
North Eastern Alberta Junior B Hockey League Northeast Alberta Unknown 5 2 9 teams
Northwest Junior Hockey League Grande Peace Region Unknown 0 0 7 teams (5 in Alberta)

Junior C Hockey Leagues[edit | edit source]

League Region Established Provincial Titles Notes
Calgary Junior C Hockey League Calgary Unknown N/A
Noralta Junior Hockey League Edmonton region Unknown N/A

Semi-professional, senior and amateur[edit | edit source]

Western Women's Hockey League[edit | edit source]

Both of Alberta's elite women's teams were invited to join the National Women's Hockey League in 2002. In 2004, they broke away to form the Western Women's Hockey League due to the lack of competition in the west. They returned to the NWHL fold in 2006 following a merger between the two leagues. However, due to circumstances arising over scheduling between the WWHL and the NWHL, the merger was never officially consummated. This coupled with the collapse of the NWHL in 2007, left the Oval X-Treme and Chimos as members of the WWHL.

Team City Established NWHL/ WWHL titles Notes
Calgary Oval X-Treme Calgary 1995 5 Members of the NWHL 2002-04; 2006-07[19]
Edmonton Chimos Edmonton 1973 0 Members of the NWHL 2002-04; 2006-07[20]

Senior[edit | edit source]

Several teams from Alberta have gone on to capture the Allan Cup, Canada's national senior championship.

Team City Existence Allan Cups[21] Notes
Calgary Stampeders Calgary 1938-51 1 Turned professional in 1951 by joining the WPHL[22]
Drumheller Miners Drumheller 1936-39, 1960s 1 [23]
Edmonton Flyers Edmonton 1941-51 1 Turned professional in 1951 by joining the WPHL[24]
Edmonton Mercurys Edmonton Unknown -- Won 1950 World Hockey Championship and 1952 Olympic gold medal[25]
Lloydminster Border Kings Lloydminster unknown-present 1 Member of the Chinook Hockey League[26]
Stony Plain Eagles Stony Plain 1930s-present 1 Member of the Chinook Hockey League[27]

University[edit | edit source]

The Canada West Universities Athletic Association was founded in 1919, representing schools across Western Canada.

Team City Established Conference titles[28] University Cups[29] Notes
Alberta Golden Bears Edmonton 1960s 21 12
Calgary Dinos Calgary 1960s 7 0
Lethbridge Pronghorns Lethbridge 1980 1 1

College[edit | edit source]

The Alberta Colleges Athletics Conference organizes sport at the colligate level.

Team City Established ACAC titles[30] CCAA national titles[30] Notes
Augustana Vikings Camrose 1970s 1 1
Concordia Thunder Edmonton Unknown 1 0
MacEwan Gryphons Edmonton Unknown 1 0
Mount Royal Cougars Calgary 1968 11 4
NAIT Ooks Edmonton Unknown 13 7
SAIT Trojans Calgary Unknown 8 2

League, regional and national championships[edit | edit source]

Teams from Alberta have captured titles at all levels of hockey.

Championship Times won Description
Stanley Cup 6 National Hockey League champion[1]
WCHL Championship 3† Western Canada Hockey League champion[4]
Lester Patrick Cup 4 Western Hockey League (minor pro) champion[10]
President's Cup 11 Western Hockey League champion[12]
Memorial Cup 6 Canadian Major-Junior national champion[13]
Allan Cup 4‡ Canadian senior national champion[21]
Doyle Cup 23 Alberta/B.C. Junior "A" regional championship[15]
Royal Bank Cup 7 Canadian Junior "A" national champion[15]
Keystone Cup 7 Western Canada Junior "B" champion[18]
NWHL Championship Cup 2 National Women's Hockey League championship[19]
WWHL Championship Cup 3 Western Women's Hockey League championship[19]
University Cup 13 CIS national university champion[29]
CCHA Championship 14 CCAA national college champion[30]
†Includes Calgary's 1926-27 title after league renamed itself the Prairie Hockey League
‡Does not include win by Lloydminster Border Kings as team is primarily based in Saskatchewan

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Stanley Cup Champions and Finalists. nhl.com. Retrieved on 2006-12-10.
  2. ↑ (2006) 2006-07 Calgary Flamed Media Guide. Calgary Flames, 4-5. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Edmonton Oilers - History. CBS Sportsline. Retrieved on 2006-12-10.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Western Canada Hockey League (1921-25). hockeyleaguehistory.com. Retrieved on 2006-12-10.
  5. ↑ Prairie Hockey League (1926-28). hockeyleaguehistory.com. Retrieved on 2006-12-10.
  6. ↑ Avco World Trophy. legendsofhockey.net. Retrieved on 2006-12-10.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Calgary Cowboys—Those Brawlin’ Broncos. Edmonton Oilers Heritage. Retrieved on 2006-12-10.
  8. ↑ Edmonton Roadrunners (AHL). hockeydb.com. Retrieved on 2006-12-10.
  9. ↑ Teams of the WHL/PCHL. The old Western Hockey League. Archived from the original on 2001-12-21. Retrieved on 2006-12-10.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Lester Patrick Cup. legendsofhockey.net. Retrieved on 2006-12-10.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 2006-07 WHL Guide. Western Hockey League, 41-136. 
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 2006-07 WHL Guide. Western Hockey League, 149. 
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 Memorial Cup winners. chl.ca. Retrieved on 2006-12-10.
  14. ↑ hockeydb team search (search for league "AJHL"). hockeydb.com. Retrieved on 2006-12-10.
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 15.4 AJHL Annual Guide & Record Book. Alberta Junior Hockey League. 
  16. ↑ History of the Alberta Junior Hockey League. ajhl.ca. Retrieved on 2006-12-23.
  17. ↑ HJHL history. Red Deer Vipers hockey club. Retrieved on 2006-12-10.
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 Keystone Cup champions. Rauzulu's Street. Retrieved on 2006-12-10.
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 19.2 Calgary Oval X-Treme excited for new National league. Calgary Oval-Xtreme Hockey Club. Retrieved on 2006-12-12.
  20. ↑ The Edmonton Chimos. Edmonton Chimos Hockey Club. Retrieved on 2006-12-12.
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 Past winners of the Allan Cup. allancup.ca. Retrieved on 2006-12-12.
  22. ↑ hockeydb team search (search for team name "Stampeders"). hockeydb.com. Retrieved on 2006-12-10.
  23. ↑ hockeydb team search (search for team name "Miners"). hockeydb.com. Retrieved on 2006-12-10.
  24. ↑ hockeydb team search (search for team name "Flyers"). hockeydb.com. Retrieved on 2006-12-10.
  25. ↑ Edmonton Mercurys. thecanadianencyclopedia.com. Retrieved on 2006-12-10.
  26. ↑ Lloydminster Border Kings win Allan Cup. cbc.ca. Retrieved on 2006-12-10.
  27. ↑ The Eagles. Stony Plain Eagles Hockey Club. Retrieved on 2006-12-10.
  28. ↑ Canada West Winter Championship History (pdf). canadawest.org. Retrieved on 2006-12-12.
  29. ↑ 29.0 29.1 CIS Winter Championship History (pdf). canadawest.org. Retrieved on 2006-12-12.
  30. ↑ 30.0 30.1 30.2 Men's hockey champions. ACAC. Retrieved on 2006-12-12.
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