| Alberta Junior Hockey League |
Article Index for Alberta |
Website Links For Alberta Junior Hockey League |
Information AboutAlberta Junior Hockey League |
| CATEGORIES ABOUT ALBERTA JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE | |
| alberta junior hockey leaguealberta junior hockey league | |
| sport in alberta | |
| ice hockey leagues | |
| ice hockey in canada | |
| canadian junior a hockey league | |
For the National Championship, please see the Royal Bank Cup 2007 . HISTORY The early 1960s saw a much different junior hockey scenario in Alberta than what currently exists. The Edmonton Oil Kings were the only true-junior "A" calibre team in the province and drew most of the top talent Alberta had to offer. The Oil Kings were the Western Canadian champions from 1962 until 1966, Abbott Cup Champions in 1954 and from 1960 to 1966, and Memorial Cup National Champions in 1963 and 1966. In 1966, the Oil Kings helped create the Western Hockey League . The issue in 1963 was that there were hundreds of junior-calibre players in the province, but only really one team to play for. A group of business and hockey people got together and decided to form a Junior "A" league in an attempt to truly develop Alberta hockey. The original league consisted of the Edmonton Safeway Canadians , the Edmonton Maple Leafs , the Lethbridge Sugar Kings , Calgary Cowboys , and the Calgary Buffaloes . The Edmonton Safeway Canadians and Maple Leafs would later merge in 1971 to become the Edmonton Mets, then move to Spruce Grove to become the Spruce Grove Mets in 1974. They lasted only three seasons in Spruce Grove, however they won the AJHL title twice, and the Manitoba Centennial Trophy in 1975. In 1976, they moved again to become the St. Albert Saints , where they won three more league titles. In 2004, the team returned to Spruce Grove as the Spruce Grove Saints . This well travelled franchise has sent over 30 players into the National Hockey League , including Hockey Hall Of Fame r Mark Messier .''AJHL Annual Guide & Record Book 2006-07'', pg. 98 One of the AJHL's most famous franchises, the who would go onto the National Hockey League , won eight AJHL titles and two Centennial Trophy's during their existence. They were expelled from the league, however, in 1989, and formally folded in 1992 when the Red Deer Rebels joined the WHL. AJHL history - 1980s In 1971, the Calgary Canucks were founded following the demise of the Cowboys and Buffaloes. Today, the Canucks are the 2nd oldest franchise still operating in the AJHL, behind only the Spruce Grove Saints , and the longest serving in the same market. Founded with a mandate to focus on giving Calgary area kids a place to play while focusing on their educational needs, the Canucks have captured a league record nine AJHL championships, and led by Dany Heatley , won the Centennial Trophy in 1995. CURRENT TEAMS 2006-07 ROGERS WIRELESS CUP PLAYOFFS
ROYAL BANK CUP CHAMPIONS Seven AJHL teams have captured the Royal Bank Cup , or it's predecessor, the ''Manitoba Centennial Trophy'' as Canadian national champions since the tournament was introduced in 1971:
CARLING O'KEEFE CUP CHAMPIONS ROGERS WIRELESS CUP CHAMPIONS
NHL ALUMNI Nearly 200 AJHL grads have gone on to play in the National Hockey League . Among them: REFERENCES EXTERNAL LINKS |
|
|