Highlights

RBC proudly salutes Alberta for 100 years of great hockey achievements

In honour of the 2005 Alberta Centennial, RBC is proud to bring you treasures from the renowned Hockey Hall of Fame. Focusing exclusively on Alberta-born players, teams and achievements, the exhibit pays tribute to Alberta's contribution to the sport that Canada calls its own.

As a sponsor of Hockey Canada, The Canadian Olympic Team, and the Hockey Hall of Fame, RBC offers you this rare glimpse of the moments that have made Alberta famous to devoted hockey fans over the past century.

HOCKEY HALL OF FAME HONOURED MEMBERS
WESTERN HOCKEY LEAGUE
ALBERTA JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE
CALGARY FLAMES
EDMONTON OILERS
WAYNE GRETZKY
RBC ROYAL BANK CUP
WOMEN'S HOCKEY
AMATEUR HOCKEY
TEAM CANADA
EARLY HOCKEY
NHL OUTDOOR GAME

HOCKEY HALL OF FAME HONOURED MEMBERS

Canada has produced 211 players who are Honoured Members in the Hockey Hall of Fame.

• Alberta, with 7 Honoured Member players, ranks fifth, behind Ontario (114), Quebec (51), Manitoba (18) and Saskatchewan (17).
• of the 7 players, 2 were born in Calgary (Herbie Lewis and Bill Gadsby), 2 in Edmonton (Neil Colville and Johnny Bucyk) and one each in Hanna (Lanny McDonald), Provost (Norm Ullman) and Spruce Grove (Grant Fuhr)
• the earliest born of Alberta’s Honoured Members would be Herbie Lewis, born in 1906, followed by Neil Colville (1914), Bill Gadsby (1927), Johnny Bucyk and Norm Ullman (both born in 1935), Lanny McDonald (1953) and the youngest, Grant Fuhr (1962)
• Neil Colville was the first Alberta native to be elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame (1967), followed by Bill Gadsby in 1970, Johnny Bucyk in 1981, Norm Ullman in 1982, Herbie Lewis (1989), Lanny McDonald (1992) and Grant Fuhr (2003) -Herbie Lewis waited longest to enter the Hall – he was 83 when he was inducted in the now defunct Veterans’ category
• Bucyk and Ullman both joined the Edmonton Oil Kings for one playoff game in 1951-52; both became full-time members of the junior team in 1952-53; both joined the Detroit Red Wings in 1955-56; both finished with almost identical statistics (Bucyk played 1540 games in NHL while Ullman played 1554 in NHL and WHA, Bucyk scored 556 goals and Ullman 537 plus Bucyk collected 1369 NHL points and Ullman 1359 between NHL and WHA)
• Alberta also sent one Builder to the Hockey Hall of Fame – High River’s Glen Sather was inducted in 1997
• although born in Saskatchewan, netminder Glenn Hall played with the Edmonton Flyers of the Western Hockey League between 1952 and 1955

WESTERN HOCKEY LEAGUE

The Western Canada Hockey League, predecessor to the Western Hockey League, was initiated in 1967-68.

• the league at that time was comprised of seven teams – Calgary Buffaloes, Edmonton Oil Kings, Estevan Bruins, Moose Jaw Canucks, Regina Pats, Saskatoon Blades and Weyburn Red Wings
• in 2004-05, there were 20 teams – Brandon Wheat Kings, Calgary Hitmen, Everett Silver Tips, Kamloops Blazers, Kelowna Rockets, Kootenay Ice, Lethbridge Hurricanes, Medicine Hat Tigers, Moose Jaw Warriors, Portland Winter Hawks, Prince Albert Raiders Prince George Cougars, Red Deer Rebels, Regina Pats, Saskatoon Blades, Seattle Thunderbirds, Spokane Chiefs, Swift Current Broncos, Tri-City Americans and Vancouver Giants was formed in 1966-67
• the Saskatoon Blades are the only franchise to have existed since the formation of the league in 1966-67
• in 1966-67, Edmonton finished first but Moose Jaw won the championship
• in 2004-05, Kootenay and Kelowna finished on top of the league tied with 104 points and Kelowna went on to win the WHL’s championship
• in the 87 seasons since the Memorial Cup was first awarded in 1918-19, western Canadian teams (Winnipeg west) have claimed junior supremacy 33 times
• Alberta teams have won the Memorial Cup seven times – the Calgary Canadians in 1926, Edmonton Oil Kings in 1963 and 1966, Prince Albert Raiders in 1985, Medicine Hat Tigers back-to-back in 1987 and 1988 and the Red Deer Rebels in 2000-01

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ALBERTA JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE

The Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) is a Tier 2 Junior A hockey league the league was formed in 1963 with 5 teams.

• in 2005-06, the league will be comprised of 16 teams – Bonnyville Pontiacs, Brooks Bandits, Calgary Canucks, Camrose Eagles, Drayton Valley Thunder, Drumheller Dragons, Fort McMurray Oil Barons, Fort Saskatchewan Traders, Grand Prairie Storm, Lloydminster Blazers, Okotoks Oilers, Olds Grizzlies, Sherwood Park Crusaders and Spruce Grove Saints
• the Okotoks Oilers are the newest franchise, debuting this upcoming season
• regular season league champions are presented with the Dave Duchak Trophy
• the playoff champions receive the Rogers AT&T Wireless Cup
• Camrose Kodiaks were awarded the Rogers AT&T Wireless Cup in 2004-05
• prior to 1998, league champions won the Carling O’Keefe Cup
• in 1977-78, Mark Messier played with the St. Albert Saints of the AJHL
• each of the six Sutter brothers played with the Red Deer Rustlers of the AJHL – Brian 1972-74, Darryl 1974-77, Duane 1976-78, Brent 1977-80 and twins Rich and Ron during the 1979-80 season

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CALGARY FLAMES

The Flames were born with the awarding of a franchise to Atlanta for the 1972-73 season.

• the Atlanta Flames relocated to Calgary for the 1980-81 season
• the Calgary Flames finished first in their division in 1987-88, 1988-89, 1989-90, 1993-94 and 1994-95
• the team won its first and, to date, only Stanley Cup championship in 1988-89
• the Flames went to the Stanley Cup final in 1986, 1989 and 2004
• alumni now in the Hockey Hall of Fame include Grant Fuhr (was a Flame during 1999-2000 season), Lanny McDonald (played for Calgary between 1981 and 1989) and Joey Mullen (was a Flame between 1985 and 1990)
• NHL merit award winners include the following:
  

  Pearson Award (MVP/voted by players)	2001-02	Jarome Iginla
  Art Ross (regular season scoring leader)	2001-02	Jarome Iginla
  Richard (top goal scorer)	2001-02	Jarome Iginla
  	2003-04	Jarome Iginla
  Lady Byng (most gentlemanly)	1986-87	Joey Mullen
  	1988-89	Joey Mullen
  Calder Trophy (rookie of the year)	1974-75	Eric Vail (Atlanta)
  	1976-77	Willi Plett (Atlanta)
  	1985-86	Gary Suter
  	1987-88	Joe Nieuwendyk
  	1989-90	Sergei Makarov
  Conn Smythe (playoff MVP)	1988-89	Al MacInnis
  Masterton (perseverance)	1982-83	Lanny McDonald
  	1995-96	Gary Roberts
  Clancy (community service)	1987-88	Lanny McDonald
  	1994-95	Joe Nieuwendyk
  	2003-04	Jarome Iginla

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EDMONTON OILERS

Franchise made its debut in the World Hockey Association (as the Alberta Oilers) in 1972-73, and existed in the fledgling league until its demise in 1978-79.

• joined the National Hockey League in 1979-80, along with the Hartford Whalers, Quebec Nordiques and Winnipeg Jets
• finished first in their division in 1981-82, 1982-83, 1983-84, 1984-85, 1985-86 and 1986-87
• Oilers went to the Stanley Cup final in 1982-83, 1983-84, 1984-85, 1986-87, 1987-88 and 1989-90
• won the Stanley Cup in 1983-84, 1984-85, 1986-87, 1987-88 and 1989-90
• Edmonton Oilers in the Hockey Hall of Fame are Wayne Gretzky (1999), Jari Kurri (2001), Grant Fuhr (2003) and Paul Coffey (2004) as well as Builder Glen Sather (1997)
• Jacques Plante (1978) and Norm Ullman (1982) are Honoured Members who played with the Oilers of the WHA
• NHL merit award winners include the following:
  

  Hart Trophy (regular season MVP)	1979-80	Wayne Gretzky
  	1980-81	Wayne Gretzky
  	1981-82	Wayne Gretzky
  	1982-83	Wayne Gretzky
  	1983-84	Wayne Gretzky
  	1984-85	Wayne Gretzky
  	1985-86	Wayne Gretzky
  	1986-87	Wayne Gretzky
  	1989-90	Mark Messier
  Pearson Trophy (MVP/voted by players)	1981-82	Wayne Gretzky
  	1982-83	Wayne Gretzky
  	1983-84	Wayne Gretzky
  	1984-85	Wayne Gretzky
  	1986-87	Wayne Gretzky
  	1989-90	Mark Messier
  Art Ross (regular season scoring leader)	1980-81	Wayne Gretzky
  	1981-82	Wayne Gretzky
  	1982-83	Wayne Gretzky
  	1983-84	Wayne Gretzky
  	1984-85	Wayne Gretzky
  	1985-86	Wayne Gretzky
  	1986-87	Wayne Gretzky
  Norris Trophy (best defenseman)	1984-85	Paul Coffey
  	1985-86	Paul Coffey
  Lady Byng (most gentlemanly)	1979-80	Wayne Gretzky
  	1984-85	Jari Kurri
  Conn Smythe (playoff MVP)	1983-84	Mark Messier
  	1984-85	Wayne Gretzky
  	1987-88	Wayne Gretzky
  	1989-90	Bill Ranford
  Clancy Award (community service)	1989-90	Kevin Lowe
  Vezina (best goaltender)	1987-88	Grant Fuhr
  Adams (coach of the year)	1985-86	Glen Sather

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WAYNE GRETZKY

Born in Brantford, Ontario on January 26, 1961 Wayne Gretzky was selected as the Greatest Player of All-Time by The Hockey News.

• inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1999
• upon retirement April 16, 1999, NHL retired Gretzky’s #99 league-wide
• traded by Indianapolis Raiders to the Edmonton Oilers of the World Hockey Association November 2, 1978
• joined the National Hockey League as part of the Oilers’ franchise in 1979-80
• finished his NHL career with the extraordinary total of 894 goals, 1,963 assists and 2,857 points in 1,487 games
• also scored 46 goals and 64 assists for 110 points in 80 WHA contests
• Wayne Gretzky has won the following honours during his professional career:
  

  Hart Trophy (regular season MVP)	1979-80	Edmonton Oilers
  	1980-81	Edmonton Oilers
  	1981-82	Edmonton Oilers
  	1982-83	Edmonton Oilers
  	1983-84	Edmonton Oilers
  	1984-85	Edmonton Oilers
  	1985-86	Edmonton Oilers
  	1986-87	Edmonton Oilers
  	1988-89	Los Angeles Kings
  Pearson Trophy (MVP/voted by players)	1981-82	Edmonton Oilers
  	1982-83	Edmonton Oilers
  	1983-84	Edmonton Oilers
  	1984-85	Edmonton Oilers
  	1986-87	Edmonton Oilers
  Art Ross (regular season scoring leader)	1980-81	Edmonton Oilers
  	1981-82	Edmonton Oilers
  	1982-83	Edmonton Oilers
  	1983-84	Edmonton Oilers
  	1984-85	Edmonton Oilers
  	1985-86	Edmonton Oilers
  	1986-87	Edmonton Oilers
  	1989-90	Los Angeles Kings
  	1990-91	Los Angeles Kings
  	1993-94	Los Angeles Kings
  Lady Byng (most gentlemanly)	1979-80	Edmonton Oilers
  	1990-91	Los Angeles Kings
  	1991-92	Los Angeles Kings
  	1993-94	Los Angeles Kings
  	1998-99	New York Rangers
  Conn Smythe (playoff MVP)	1984-85	Edmonton Oilers
  	1987-88	Edmonton Oilers
  NHL First All-Star Team	1980-81	Edmonton Oilers
  	1981-82	Edmonton Oilers
  	1982-83	Edmonton Oilers
  	1983-84	Edmonton Oilers
  	1984-85	Edmonton Oilers
  	1985-86	Edmonton Oilers
  	1986-87	Edmonton Oilers
  	1990-91	Los Angeles Kings
  NHL Second All-Star Team	1979-80	Edmonton Oilers
  	1987-88	Edmonton Oilers
  	1988-89	Los Angeles Kings
  	1989-90	Los Angeles Kings
  	1993-94	Los Angeles Kings
  	1996-97	New York Rangers
  	1997-98	New York Rangers
  Lou Kaplan (WHA rookie of the year)	1978-79	Edmonton Oilers
  WHA Second All-Star Team	1978-79	Edmonton Oilers

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RBC ROYAL BANK CUP

The RBC Royal Bank Cup is the trophy awarded annually to the Canadian Junior A champion.

• each spring, the RBC Royal Bank tournament pits a host team, the Pacific, Western, Central and Eastern Junior ‘A’ champions to compete for the national championship
• the tournament, originally competing for the Centennial Cup, was inaugurated in 1971
• the RBC Royal Bank Cup was introduced in 1996
• the first tournament winner was the Red Deer Rustlers in 1971
• Alberta teams won the championship in 1971, 1975 (Spruce Grove Mets), 1980 (Red Deer Rustlers), 1994 (Old Grizzlys) and 1995 (Calgary Canucks)
• in 2004-05, the host Weyburn Red Wings won the RBC Royal Bank Cup
• the 2005-2006 RBC Royal Bank Cup will be competed for May 7-15 in Streetsville, Ontario

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WOMEN’S HOCKEY

The Esso Women’s Nationals pit the best women hockey players in each province against each other.

• since its inception in 1982, Alberta has won gold in 1984, 1985, 1992, 1997, 1998, 2001 and 2003
• Team Alberta took silver in 1982, 1983, 1987, 1988, 1990, 19993, 1994, 1999
• bronze medals went to Alberta in 1986, 1989, 1991, 1995 and 2000
• two different Alberta teams competed at the 2004 Esso Women’s Nationals; one winning silver and other, bronze
• the five-team Western Women’s Hockey League features two Alberta squads – the Calgary Oval X-Treme and the Edmonton Chimos
• in the 2004-05 season, Calgary finished first and Edmonton second, then the Oval X-Treme persevered to win the inaugural WWHL championship
• team members included captain Cassie Campbell, Kelly Bechard, Danielle Goyette and Hayley Wickenheiser

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AMATEUR HOCKEY

The Alberta Amateur Hockey Association was formed in 1907 with R.H. Brown of Red Deer the first president.

• Hockey Alberta’s vision is ’To become the most progressive and innovative sport organization in Canada.’ They achieve that by ‘maintaining our reputation for effective leadership and valuable life experiences through opportunities that enable people to participate in the great game of hockey.’
• their mission is ‘To serve those who serve the athletes by providing good governance, quality services, programs and education’
• in June 2005, Terry Engen of Ecksville was elected the president of Hockey Alberta
• Hockey Alberta governs the Western Hockey League, Alberta Junior Hockey League, Central Alberta Hockey League, Alberta Midget Hockey League, Rural Alberta Major Midget Hockey League, Alberta Major Bantam Hockey League, Central Alberta Bantam Hockey League, Central Alberta AA Bantam Hockey League, North Central Hockey League, Capital Junior Hockey League, the 16-60 Hockey League and North Central Minor Hockey Association
• over 10,000 amateur hockey players (more than 275 teams), both male and female and ranging from peewee to senior took part in the 2005 Investors Group provincial championships
• 2005 champions include:
  

  Senior AA Female	Calgary Chargers
  Senior A Female	PSA Junior AA Comets
  Senior B Female	Slave Lake Kodiaks
  Midget AA Male	Red Deer Elks
  Midget A Male	Stettler Legion Blues
  Midget A Female	Red Deer Sutter Fund
  Midget B Male	Kneehill Chiefs
  Midget B Female	Bentley Canucks
  Bantam AAA Male	Edmonton SSAC Southgate Lions
  Bantam AA Male	Innisfil Flyers
  Bantam A Male	Vegreville Wranglers
  Bantam A Female	Edmonton Ice
  Peewee AA Male	Medicine Hat Boston Pizza Royals
  Atom AA Male	St. Albert Barons
  Atom A Male	Stony Plain Predators

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TEAM CANADA

Prior to having a national team, the Allan Cup champions represented Canada at the Olympic Games.

• in 1948, the Edmonton Flyers won the Allan Cup championship, but Canada sent the Royal Canadian Air Force Flyers to the Olympics that year instead, and they subsequently won the Olympic gold medal
• in 2002, both the men’s and women’s editions of Team Canada won gold medals at the Winter Olympic Games, with Albertans Jarome Iginla, Scott Niedermayer, Ryan Smyth competing for the men

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EARLY HOCKEY

The first game in the territory of Alberta was reported as taking place at the Star Skating Rink on January 4, 1893when the Town Boys beat the Tailors 4-1.

• the Alberta Amateur Hockey Association was created November 29, 1907 in Red Deer, with representatives from Calgary, Crossfield, Didsbury, Edmonton, Lacombe, Medicine Hat, Olds, Red Deer and Wetaskiwin
• the first professional Alberta-based league was the Alberta Professional Hockey League, which debuted in 1907-08 and saw the Edmonton Hockey Club take the championship
• In 1908-09, Edmonton won the Fit-Reform Trophy as Western champions
• that season (December 28 and December 30, 1908), the Edmonton Hockey Club (often referred to as the Eskimos) became the first Alberta team to compete for the Stanley Cup when they unsuccessfully challenged the Montreal Wanderers at the Westmount Arena (Montreal won two-game total goal series 13-10)
• in 1910-11, two daily newspapers, the Calgary Herald and the Edmonton Journal agreed o co-sponsor a trophy for the championship of the Alberta Amateur Hockey Association, and the Calgary St. Mary’s were the inaugural winner, beating the Edmonton Deacons 10-8 in a two-game total goal series
• in 1945-46, the Calgary Stampeders were the first Alberta team to win the Allan Cup as senior hockey champions. They scored an extraordinary 219 goals in 36 regular season games
• the first Alberta-based team to win the Stanley Cup was the Edmonton Oilers on May 19, 1984 when they beat the New York Islanders 4 games to 1 in Edmonton’s Northlands Coliseum

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NHL OUTDOOR GAME

Played in -28 degree weather outdoors at Commonwealth Stadium on November 22, 2003.

• started with Heritage Classic game between Edmonton Oilers alumni and Montreal Canadiens alumni
• Edmonton topped Montreal 2-0 on goals by Ken Linseman and Marty McSorley
• game featured return of Wayne Gretzky, who hadn’t played since his retirement in 1999
• Mark Messier was the only current NHLer to play in this game, joining his former Oilers teammates
• Grant Fuhr and Bill Ranford shared the shutout for the Oilers
• 57,167 fans were in attendance
• later that evening, in a regular season NHL contest, Montreal Canadiens edged the Edmonton Oilers 4-3
• Yanic Perreault and Richard Zednick each scored twice for Montreal with Eric Brewer, Jarrett Stoll and Steve Staios replying for Edmonton
• many players wore toques under their helmets; Canadiens goalkeeper Jose Theodore wore a toque on top of his mask during the game

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