Ranchland Senior Hockey League

The Ranchland Senior Hockey League is is a men's senior AA hockey league that is based in Southern Alberta. The league started play in 1974.

Ranchland Hockey League championship trophy

2020-22 changes

The Ranchland Hockey League announced on July 26th, 2020 that they would be admitting the Innisfail Eagles into the league for the 2020-21 season. Innisfail has said their intent is to declare as Senior AAA thus being eligible to compete for the Allan Cup, so they will not be eligible to partake in any of the RHL playoffs.  In other league news, the Kainai Braves have changed their name to the Chiefs, and the Piikani Broncs will not return this season. The League announced on August 19th that it would delay the start of the 20/21 season until December 4th due to regulations surrounding the Covid-19 outbreak. On October 15th, the league announced that they were cancelling the 2020-21 season in it's entirety due to the restrictions imposed from the Corona virus. The league will resume operations for the 2021-22 season.

*Disclaimer: The following was posted by an Innisfail Eagles representative and/or affiliate and shows blatant bias*

In January 2022, Hockey Alberta announced that there would be no Allan Cup, and the Innisfail Eagles would be classified as a "AA" team. That action resulted in the member teams fraudulently removing their President and Vice President (who were brought in by Hockey Alberta in an attempt to "clean up" the Ranchland. The Ranchland then decided to remove Innisfail from their league saying they were lied to by the Eagles and were not honest about their reasons for wanting to join the Ranchland. Innisfail appealed this decision and Hockey Alberta announced on March 28 that the Ranchland did not follow HA's direction about reinstating the Innisfail Eagles for the league playoffs. HA informed the league that the Nanton Palominos were required to play the Innisfail Eagles to determine who would attend the Provincial Senior AA Playoffs as the Ranchland Rep. Nanton subsequently refused to play Innisfail so on April 1, HA announced that the Ranchland Hockey League chose not to include the Innisfail Eagles in the league playoff process which was a violation of the Appeals Committee decision and a violation of Hockey Alberta Bylaws. As a result, the RHL is hereby suspended from all operations as a sanctioned senior hockey league of Hockey Alberta. All RHL teams are now ineligible to play any further games this season, including participation at the Hockey Alberta Provincial Championships. The RHL has the summer to sort out their problems - there were a list of interested teams looking to join the RHL but it's not known at this time if the league can repair the damage caused by a select few.

*The Innisfail Eagles came to an agreement with the RHL in the summer of 2020 to play within their regular season. In their own new releases and in local newspapers, they clearly outline in their own words that they will not compete in RHL playoffs.

Upon the news that Hockey Alberta and Hockey Canada cancelled the Allan Cup, Innisfail's upper management used their connections to have themselves re-classified as AA while having a AAA roster. This roster included 2 players with NHL experience, 4 with AHL, 10 ECHL, 8 CIS/USPORTS, 10 WHL and 14 AJHL.

The Ranchland Hockey League stands by its decision to remove the Innisfail Eagles in the preservation of Alberta Senior AA Hockey.

Member Teams 2023-2024

Team	Centre	Arena
Fort Macleod Mustangs	Fort Macleod	Fort Macleod & District Recreation Centre
Kainai Braves	Stand Off	Kainai Sports Centre
Lethbridge Lightning	Lethbridge	ATB Centre & Nicholas Sheran Arena
Nanton Palominos	Nanton/High River	Tom Hornecker Recreation Centre/Bob Snodgrass Recreation Complex
Siksika Buffaloes	Siksika First Nations	Deerfoot Sportsplex

Seasons

Season	Champion	Season	Champion	Season	Champion
1974-75	Stavely Spurs	1975-76	unknown	1976-77	Fort Macleod Broncos
1977-78	unknown	1978-79	Nanton Palominos	1979-80	Nanton Palominos
1980-81	Okotoks Sr. Oilers	1981-82	Nanton Palominos	1982-83	Okotoks Sr. Oilers
1983-84	Nanton Palominos	1984-85	Nanton Palominos	1985-86	Nanton Palominos
1986-87	Nanton Palominos	1987-88	Nanton Palominos	1988-89	Taber Buccaneers
1989-90	Okotoks Sr. Oilers	1990-91	High River Flyers	1991-92	High River Flyers
1992-93	Claresholm Thunder	1994-95	High River Flyers	1995-96	League may not have played
1996-97	Kainai Braves	1997-98	Fort Macleod Mustangs	1998-99	Fort Macleod Mustangs
1999-00	Fort Macleod Mustangs	2000-01	Fort Macleod Mustangs	2001-02	Fort Macleod Mustangs
2002-03	Fort Macleod Mustangs	2003-04	Fort Macleod Mustangs	2004-05	Fort Macleod Mustangs
2005-06	Fort Macleod Mustangs	2006-07	Fort Macleod Mustangs	2007-08	Lomond Lakers
2008-09	Brooks Blackhawks	2009-10	Brooks Blackhawks	2010-11	Brooks Blackhawks
2011-12	Brooks Blackhawks	2012-13	Blackfoot Miners	2013-14	Nanton Palominos
2014-15	Nanton Palominos	2015-16	Nanton Palominos	2016-17	Nanton Palominos
2017-18	Nanton Palominos	2018-19	Nanton Palominos	2019-20	Playoffs Cancelled
2020-21	Season Cancelled	2021-22	Nanton Palominos	2022-23	Siksika Buffaloes
2023-24	Lethbridge Lightning	2024-25		2025-26

External links

• Official website

Canadian Senior Hockey (post-1971)

National/Regional Championships

Allan Cup (National AAA) Patton Cup (Western Canada 71-91) - Bolton Cup (Eastern Canada 71-03) McKenzie Cup (BC-AB) - Rathgaber Cup (SK-MB) - Atlantic Cup (2003-) (NB-NL-NS-PEI)

Provincial/Local Championships

Alberta - British Columbia - Manitoba - New Brunswick - Newfoundland and Labrador - Northern Ontario - Ontario Hockey Association - Ottawa - Quebec (Also Eastern Region Allan Cup Qualifier) - Saskatchewan - Thunder Bay/Gary Cook Cup/Hockey Northwestern Ontario

Current Leagues

Alberta: Chinook Hockey League (1955-2019, 2022-) East Central Senior Hockey League (2012-) - North Central Hockey League (1995-) - North Peace Hockey League (also in BC, 1953-) - Ranchland Senior Hockey League (1974-) - Sask/Alta Senior Hockey League (also in SK, 1964-) British Columbia: Central Interior Senior Hockey League (1997-) - North Peace Hockey League (also in Alberta, 1953-) Manitoba: South Eastern Manitoba Hockey League (1952-) - Tiger Hills Hockey League (1983-) New Brunswick: Beausejour Senior Hockey League (2019-) - Ligue de hockey Vallée-Appalaches (1991-) - Southern Senior Hockey League (2021- ) Newfoundland and Labrador: Avalon East Senior Hockey League (1967-) - Central Newfoundland Hockey League (Intermediate) (2009-) - Central/West Senior Hockey League (2014-2019; 2023-) Nova Scotia: Presently have no Senior Level leagues in the province (one team from Springhill plays in New Brunswick based Beausejour Senior Hockey League) Ontario: Allan Cup Hockey (1991-) - Eastern Ontario Super Hockey League (2019-) - Ontario Elite Hockey League (2023-) - Western Ontario Super Hockey League (2021-) Prince Edward Island: West Prince Senior Hockey League (2016-) Quebec: Circuit Senior KRTB (2021-) - Ligue Regionale de Hockey (2016-) - Ligue de Hockey Cote-Sud (2012-) - Ligue de Hockey Senior du Lac-au-Fleuve (2017-) - Ligue de Hockey Senior Élite (2005-) - Ligue de Hockey Senior A du Lac St-Louis (2022-) - Ligue de Hockey Senior AA de la Cote-Nord (2007-2014; 2022-) - Ligue de Hockey Senior AAA du Quebec (2017-) - Ligue de Hockey Sénior Desjardins de l'Est-du-Québec (2018-) Saskatchewan: Big Six Senior Hockey League (1959-) - Cross Roads Hockey League (2022-) - Long Lake Senior Hockey League (1978-) - Notekeu Senior Hockey League (1958-) - Qu'Appelle Valley Highway Hockey League (2021-) - Sask/Alta Senior Hockey League (also in Alberta, 1964-) - Saskatchewan Prairie Senior Hockey League (2010-) - Sask East Hockey League (2020-) - Sask Valley Hockey League (1965-) - Sask West Senior Hockey League (2000-) - Treaty Six Hockey League (2004-2007; 2018-) - Twin Rivers Senior Hockey League (2016-) - Wheatland Senior Hockey League (1995-) - White Mud Senior Hockey League (1995-) Northwest Territories: Presently have no Senior Level leagues in the territory Nunavut: Iqaluit Senior Hockey League (2009-) - Rankin Inlet Senior Men's Hockey League (2008-) Yukon: Presently have no Senior Level leagues in the territory (teams in the Yukon have traditionally played under sanction of BC Hockey)

Defunct Leagues

Alberta: Alberta Major Intermediate League (1976-1987) - Beaver Hockey League (1969-1983) - Big Six Services Hockey League (1970-1975) - Allan Cup Hockey West/Chinook Hockey League (1969-2020) - Battle River Hockey League (1992-2015) - Central Peace Hockey League (1986-1997) - Edmonton Central Intermediate Hockey League (1960-1976) - Edmonton Services Hockey League (1973-1974) - Henry Viney Hockey League (1972-1982) - Highwood Hockey League (1967-1972) - North Star Intermediate Hockey League (1963-1978) - Prairie Intermediate Hockey League (1973-1979) - Prairie Senior Hockey League (also in SK, 1971-1972) - South Peace Hockey League (1954-1988) British Columbia: British Columbia Senior Hockey League (1979-1981) - Cariboo Hockey League (1955-1985) - Fraser Valley Hockey League (1971-1974) - Monashee Senior Hockey League (1970-1977) - Monashee AA Senior Hockey League (1985-1994) - North Okanagan Hockey League (1977-1982) - Northwest Hockey League (1975-1978) - Pacific Coast Amateur Hockey League (1957-1986) - Pacific Northwest Hockey League (1965-1982) - Richmond Intermediate Hockey League (1965-1975) - South Island Big Six Hockey League (1974-1980) - Vancouver Island Hockey League (1961-1975) - Victoria Intermediate Hockey League (1963-1974) - Western Amateur Hockey League (1966-1973) - Western International Hockey League (1946-1988) - West Coast Senior AA Hockey League (2016-2018) Manitoba: Canadian Central Hockey League (1972-1974) - Carillon Senior Hockey League (2004-2022) - Central Amateur Senior Hockey League (1975-1989) - East Interlake Hockey League (1970-1976) - Eastman Hockey League (1998-2000) - Hanover Tache Hockey League (1958-2005) - Manitoba Aboriginal Senior Hockey League (2000-2001) - Manitoba Assiniboine Hockey League (1974-1983) - Manitoba Eastern Hockey League (1969-1977) - Manitoba Intermediate Hockey League (1971-1972) - Manitoba Northeast Senior Hockey League (1970-1989) - Manitoba Senior Hockey League (2008-2016) - North Central Hockey League (1958-2022) - Northern Intermediate Hockey League (1977-1978) - Nor-West Hockey League (1996-1997) - North West Senior Hockey League (2016-2017) - Parkland Hockey League (1964-1979) - Pembina Valley Hockey League (1970-1980) - Red River Valley Intermediate Hockey League (1980-1981) - Souris Valley Hockey League (1970-1987) - South Interlake Hockey League (1987-2008) - South Central Intermediate Hockey League (1960-1982) - SouthWest Hockey League (1956-2009) - West Interlake Hockey League (1954-1986) - Winnipeg Metro Hockey League (1973-1980) - Winnipeg Senior A Hockey League (1995-1997) - Yellowhead Intermediate Hockey League (1986-1989) Maritimes: Maritime Senior Hockey League (1991-1992) - Northumberland Dairy Senior AAA Hockey League (1995-1998) New Brunswick: Central New Brunswick Intermediate Hockey League (1973-1977) - Ligue de Hockey Senior Acadie-Chaleur (2016-2022) - Miramichi Senior Hockey League (2000-2004) - Eastern Senior Hockey League (2001-2010) - New Brunswick Chaleur Hockey League (1991-1995) - New Brunswick Eastern Hockey League (1972-1973) - New Brunswick Senior Hockey League (1968-1991) - North East Senior Hockey League (2011-2018) - North Shore Senior Hockey League (1939-1978) - North Shore Senior Hockey League (1996-2010) - South Central Intermediate C Hockey League (1975-1978) - Southern New Brunswick Senior Hockey League (1962-2010) - St. John Valley Hockey League (1966-1978) Newfoundland and Labrador: Bay St. George Senior Hockey League (1966-1984) - Corner Brook Intermediate Hockey League (1966-1984) - Deer Lake Intermediate Hockey League (1976-1985) - East Coast Senior Hockey League (2017-2020) - Newfoundland Senior Hockey League (2011-2014) - Newfoundland West Coast Senior Hockey League (2001-2011; 2016-2023) - West Newfoundland Intermediate A Hockey League (1973-1974) Nova Scotia: Nova Scotia Senior Hockey League (1982-1996) - Tri-County Senior Hockey League (1973-1988) Ontario: Carleton-Russell Intermediate B Hockey League (1976-1980) - Central Ontario Hockey League (1970-1983) - Central Senior B Hockey League (1986-1989) - Cyclone Intermediate D Hockey League (1977-1984) - Eastern Ontario Senior Hockey League (2003-2008) - Georgian Bay Intermediate A Hockey League (1968-1972; 1978-1980) - HNO Senior League (2009-2012) - Major Intermediate A Hockey League (1980-1983) - Niagara Intermediate A Hockey League (1965-1979) - North Oxford Men's Hockey League (1959-2012) - Northern Senior A Hockey League (1983-1992) - ACH Senior AA G-League (2021) - OHA Intermediate C Hockey League (1973-1986) - OHA Senior A League (1890-1979) - OHA Senior A Hockey League (1972-1987) - Ottawa District Senior Hockey League (1968-1977) - Ontario Senior AA Hockey League (1983-1988) - Seaway Intermediate C Hockey League (1973-1976; 1978-1984) - Seaway-Western Intermediate C Hockey League (1976-1978) - Seaway-Cyclone Senior B Hockey League (1984-1990) - South Carleton Intermediate Hockey League (1970-1980) - Thunder Bay Hockey League (1980-1982) - Western Intermediate C Hockey League (1973-1976) - WOAA Senior AA Hockey League (1942-2023) Quebec: Laval Senior A Hockey League (2013-2022) - Ligue Centrale de Hockey (LCH) (2000-2008) - Ligue Hockey de la Belle Province (1970-1973) - Ligue de Hockey Beauce Bellechase Frontenac (1999-2017) - Ligue de Hockey Semi-Contact de Lotbinière (2002-2006) - Ligue de Hockey Senior de la Mauricie (1992-1996) - Ligue de Hockey Senior Majeur du Quebec (1979-85; 1994-96) - Ligue de Hockey Senior de l'Est du Quebec (2005-2010) - Ligue de hockey Senior des Îles de la Madeleine (1991-2005) - Ligue de Hockey Senior A de la Mauricie (2001-2017) - Ligue de Hockey Senior A Inter-Rives (2006-2007) - Ligue de Hockey Senior AA de l'Estrie (2001-2004) - Ligue de Hockey Senior AA LAB-BEC (2012-2013) - Ligue de Hockey Senior AA du Saguenay-Lac-St-Jean (2002-2003) - Ligue de Hockey Senior Bas-Saint-Laurent (1994-2005) - Ligue de Hockey Senior des Cantons-de-L'Est (2011-2015) - Ligue de hockey les Cotiers de la Gaspesie (2002-2008) - Ligue de Hockey Senior des Deux Rives (2002-2003) - Ligue de Hockey Senior Montreal Metropolitain (2003-2007) - Ligue de Hockey Senior Provinciale AA (2004-2006) - Ligue de Hockey Senior AA L.D.B. du Quebec (1979-2000) - Ligue de hockey Budweiser de 'est du Quebec (2011-2013) - Montreal Senior Hockey League (1977-1980) - Outaouais Hockey League (1973-1975) - Promutuel Senior Hockey League (1999-2007) - Republican Hockey League (also in NB, 1962-1987) - Quebec Metro Senior Hockey League (1989-1991) - Quebec-Portneuf Commercial Hockey League (1990-2004) - Quebec Senior AA Hockey League (2018-2021) - Quebec Senior North-East Hockey League (2003-2007) Prince Edward Island: Island Community Senior Hockey League (2010-2013) - Prince Edward Island Senior Hockey League (1990-1991) - Prince Edward Island Senior Hockey League (2010-2011) Saskatchewan: 39C Hockey League (1968-1983) - 5-40 Hockey League (1962-1984) - Beaver Lakes Hockey League (1986-2018) - Big V Senior Hockey League (1954-1977) - Blackstrap Hockey League (1972-1985) - Carrot River Valley Hockey League (1950-1982) - Central Saskatchewan Intermediate Hockey League (1986-1990) - Central Saskatchewan Senior Hockey League (1988-1995) - Coteau Hills Hockey League (1951-1995) - Fishing Lake Hockey League (1953-2015) - Fort Carlton Senior Hockey League (1971-2019) - Highway Hockey League (1965-2020) - Last Mountain Hockey League (1954-1978) - North Central Saskatchewan Senior Hockey League (1968-1972) - Northern Lakes Hockey League (1966-1976) - North Saskatchewan River Hockey League (1995-2015) - Pasquia Hockey League (1977-2009) - Potash Cutarm Hockey League (1963-1975) - Qu'Appelle Valley Hockey League (1960-2021) - Right Angle Hockey League (1962-1985) - River Lake Senior Hockey League (1997-2000) - Saskatchewan Intermediate A Hockey League (1979-1983) - Saskatchewan Treaty Hockey League (2021)- Soo Line Hockey League (1980-2000) - South Central Senior Hockey League (1983-1990) - South East Senior Hockey League (1971-1973) - South Saskatchewan River Hockey League (1958-1979) - Three Rivers Hockey League (1980-1987) - Triangle Hockey League (1965-2020) - Western Saskatchewan Intermediate AA Hockey League (1966-1974) - Whiska Creek Hockey League (1980's-90's) - Wild Duck Hockey League (1961-1980) - Wild Goose Hockey League (1954-2008) - Yellowhead Hockey League (1980-2000) Yukon: See Whitehorse Huskies (1992-1993, 2009-2010, 2014-2017)