The Doyle Cup and Anavet Cup were retired after the 2011-12 season and replaced by the Western Canada Cup as the tournaments were merged into the new tournament which gave two berths in the Royal Bank Cup. The tournament was known as the Pacific Centennial Cup from 1971 to 1984 and as the Doyle Cup from 1985 to 2012.
The winner of the game played in the round robin portion of the tournament between the two champions would be awarded the Abbott Cup.įrom 1971 to 2012 the champions of Alberta and British Columbia would meet for the Doyle Cup and a birth in the national championship tournament. Starting in 1990 (and lasting until 1999, when the trophy was retired) the Pacific Region champion and the Western Region champion (Anavet Cup) would advance to the Centennial Cup (then Royal Bank Cup). Seven AJHL teams have captured the Royal Bank Cup, or its predecessor, the Manitoba Centennial Trophy, as Canadian national champions since the tournament was introduced in 1971:įrom 1971 to 1989, Pacific Region champions (the Pacific Centennial Cup (1971 to 1984) and Doyle Cup (1985 to 1989)) would advance to the Abbott Cup for a spot in the Manitoba Centennial Cup. The Canucks have captured a league record nine AJHL championships and won the Centennial Cup in 1995, the Canadian Championship of Junior A hockey, now know know as the Royal Bank Cup.ĪJHL team locations as of 2014-15 season (North Division in red, South Division in blue) Viterra North DivisionĢ004 (as Spruce Grove Saints, 1963 originally for franchise as Edmonton Movers)Ģ012 (as Whitecourt Wolverines, 1976 as Fort Saskatchewan Traders)Ģ001 (as Canmore Eagles, originally joined 1995 as Bow Valley Eagles)Ģ005 (as Okotoks Oilers, originally joined 1998 as Crowsnest Pass Timberwolves)ġ981 (as Olds Grizzlys, originally joined 1974 as Taber Golden Suns)Ģ010 (as Calgary Mustangs, originally joined as The Pass Red Devils in 1972) It was founded with a mandate to focus on giving Calgary-area kids a place to play while focusing on their educational needs. Today, the Canucks are the oldest franchise still operating in the AJHL. In 1971, the Calgary Canucks were founded following the demise of the Cowboys and Buffaloes. They were expelled from the league, however, in 1989, and formally folded in 1992 when the Red Deer Rebels joined the WHL. The Rustlers, who featured all six Sutter brothers who would go onto the National Hockey League, won eight AJHL titles and two Centennial Trophies during their existence. In 1971, the Rustlers captured the first Manitoba Centennial Trophy as national Junior A champions. The Rustlers had attempted to join the Western Canada Junior Hockey League, but were blocked by the Alberta Amateur Hockey Association, and instead placed in the AJHL. One of the AJHL's most famous franchises, the Red Deer Rustlers, joined the league in 1967, capturing the championship in their first season. This well-travelled franchise has sent over 30 players into the National Hockey League, including Hockey Hall of Famer Mark Messier. In 2004, the team returned to Spruce Grove as the Spruce Grove Saints. Albert Saints, where they won three more league titles. In 1976, they moved again to become the St. They lasted only three seasons in Spruce Grove however, they won the AJHL title twice, and the Manitoba Centennial Trophy in 1975. 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. The 1963-64 Alberta Junior Playoffs were used as the impetus to form the league. The season prior to establishment of the AJHL the Buffaloes and Oil Kings had played in Intermediate (Senior) level Central Alberta Hockey League while the Cowboys and Sugar Kings played in the mixed level (junior, intermediate, and senior level) Alberta Big Six League and the Canadians appeared to have played an independent schedule. The original league consisted of the Edmonton Safeway Canadians, the Edmonton Maple Leafs, the Lethbridge Sugar Kings, Calgary Cowboys, and the Calgary Buffaloes. A group of business and hockey people got together in 1964 and decided to form a Junior "A" league in an attempt to truly develop Alberta hockey. The issue in 1964 was that there were hundreds of junior-calibre players in the province, but really only one team to play for. In 1966, the Oil Kings helped create the Western Hockey League. 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 19. 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 early 1960s saw a much different junior hockey scenario in Alberta than what currently exists.