This is a list of ice hockey teams in Alberta . It features the leagues they have played for, and championships won.
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
National Hockey League
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.
Western Canada Hockey League
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.
*Includes 1926-27 championship after league was renamed the Prairie Hockey League .
World Hockey Association
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.
Minor Professional
American Hockey League
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.
Western Hockey League
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.
Junior
Western Hockey League
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
Former teams
*The Oil Kings' two Memorial Cups predate the WHL.
Alberta Junior Hockey League
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.
Junior B Hockey Leagues
Junior C Hockey Leagues
Semi-professional, senior and amateur
Western Women's Hockey League
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.
Senior
Several teams from Alberta have gone on to capture the Allan Cup, Canada's national senior championship.
University
The Canada West Universities Athletic Association was founded in 1919, representing schools across Western Canada.
College
The Alberta Colleges Athletics Conference organizes sport at the collegiate level.
League, regional and national championships
Teams from Alberta have captured titles at all levels of hockey.
See also
- Hockey Alberta
- Ice hockey at the 1988 Winter Olympics
- Ice hockey in Calgary
References
- ^ a b c d "Stanley Cup Champions and Finalists". nhl.com . http://www.nhl.com/cup/champs.html . Retrieved 2006-12-10 .
- ^ 2006-07 Calgary Flamed Media Guide . Calgary Flames. 2006. pp. 4–5.
- ^ a b "Edmonton Oilers - History". CBS Sportsline . http://www.sportsline.com/nhl/teams/history/EDM . Retrieved 2006-12-10 .
- ^ a b c "Western Canada Hockey League (1921-25)". hockeyleaguehistory.com . http://www.hockeyleaguehistory.com/Western_Canada_Hockey_League_1921.htm . Retrieved 2006-12-10 .
- ^ "Prairie Hockey League (1926-28)". hockeyleaguehistory.com . http://www.hockeyleaguehistory.com/Prairie_Hockey_League_1926.htm . Retrieved 2006-12-10 .
- ^ "Avco World Trophy". legendsofhockey.net . http://www.legendsofhockey.net/html/silver_splashavco.htm . Retrieved 2006-12-10 .
- ^ a b "Calgary Cowboys—Those Brawlin’ Broncos". Edmonton Oilers Heritage . http://www.oilersheritage.com/history/WHA_teams_calgary_cowboys.html . Retrieved 2006-12-10 .
- ^ "Edmonton Roadrunners (AHL)". hockeydb.com . http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/teamseasons.php?tid=3591 . Retrieved 2006-12-10 .
- ^ "Teams of the WHL/PCHL". The old Western Hockey League . http://www.oocities.com/texliebmann/hockey/west/old_whl.htm . Retrieved 2006-12-10 . <
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