The History of the Calgary Hockey League and Timeline of Significant Milestones
The History of the Calgary Hockey League & Timeline of Significant Milestones
The city of Calgary has long been home to a variety of teams at every level of Canadian hockey. Ice hockey in this region dates back to 1893, and the game has grown to be an integral part of the local culture. Today, the Calgary Flames and the Calgary Hitmen enjoy great support from their fans as they compete to win the Stanley Cup.
Originally based in Atlanta, the franchise relocated to Calgary in 1980 and began a long run of playoff success. In their first eleven seasons in Alberta, the Flames won their first three conference titles and qualified for the Stanley Cup playoffs in all but two of those years.
In 1986, the Flames made their first appearance in the Stanley Cup Finals, defeating the Montreal Canadiens in six games to capture the organization’s first championship and a franchise record for wins in a single season. The team was led by the grit and determination of right winger Glenn MacInnis and defenseman Joe Mullen, with the help of goaltender Craig Anderson.
A second Stanley Cup Finals appearance came in 1988, but the Flames were unable to repeat their feat of overcoming a three-goal deficit against the defending champions. They finished atop their conference in 1989-90, but were eliminated in the opening round of the playoffs by the New York Rangers.
After losing in the playoffs for a fourth consecutive year, the Flames returned to winning ways in 1991-92, capturing their first Pacific Division title and earning a playoff berth for the first time since 1988-89. They went on to win four more conference titles between 1992-93 and 1994-95, but were again knocked out in the opening round of the playoffs by a team that would go on to win the Stanley Cup.
The Flames also won their first Memorial Cup in 1988, and were a major factor in the development of women’s hockey in Canada. They established the Program of Excellence, sending teams to the IIHF World Junior Championship and Canada Cup, and winning three gold medals in 1985 and 1988.
Off the Ice
The Calgary Sports and Entertainment corporation owns the Flames, as well as a Western Hockey League franchise (the Calgary Hitmen), a National Lacrosse League team (the Calgary Roughnecks) and an American Hockey League franchise (the Calgary Wranglers). Through the Flames Foundation, the franchise donates CA$32 million to charities throughout southern Alberta each year.
In addition, the Flames have an extensive off-ice presence, with a number of restaurants, bars and entertainment venues that host events and games throughout the year. One of the best known is Flames Central on Stephen Avenue in downtown Calgary, where the Flames play their home games.
AJHL
The Alberta Junior Hockey League was formed in 1963 as a way to strengthen junior hockey in Alberta, particularly in response to the dominance of the Edmonton Oil Kings in the Western Canada Hockey League. The AJHL is the oldest and most dominant junior hockey league in the province.