Hockey Alberta
Encyclopedia
Hockey Alberta is the governing body
of all ice hockey
in Alberta
, Canada
and is affiliated with Hockey Canada
. It was founded in 1907 as the Alberta Amateur Hockey Association (AAHA) to be the governing body for Alberta intra-city ice hockey
play.
, the Alberta Amateur Hockey Association was founded, with R.N. Brown elected as the first president of the organization.
In 1914, the AAHA would be one of the founding associations for the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association
, formed at meetings held on December 4, 1914 in the Chateau Laurier at Ottawa
.
In 2007, the centennial of the association was celebrated with the hosting of the Allan Cup
in Stony Plain.
In 1907 senior amateur hockey was organized into two tiers; the "A" level saw associations from Edmonton, Strathcona and Battleford, Saskatchewan. This "A" level was only technically amateur. A second "B" level was formed that was "pure amateur." In the 1907-08 season, the Edmonton Hockey Club would win the Alberta "A" championship and challenge the Montreal Wanderers
for the Stanley Cup
.
While Calgary was larger than Edmonton at the time of the AAHA founding, the Calgary associations declined to participate until joining the Senior "A" league in 1910. The Calgary Shermans, named for their rink, were the first team from Calgary. In 1910, Edmonton would again challenge for the Stanley Cup
, this time against the Ottawa Senators (original)
. This would be the last challenge for the Stanley Cup from AAHA teams. After the founding of the professional National Hockey Association
, the Alberta senior teams would compete for the Allan Cup
, which they do to this day.
.
In 1919, under the guidance of AAHA league president Allan McCaw, a new elite senior amateur
league was established in Alberta with two teams each in Calgary and Edmonton. The league's intention was to compete for the Allan Cup
, emblematic of Canada's national senior championship. The Tigers
were created, along with the Canadians to represent Calgary, while the Edmonton Eskimos
and Dominions represented Alberta's capital. The Calgary teams were hosted at the Victoria Arena
, which had been converted into a hockey rink in 1918.
While the Big Four League billed itself as an amateur circuit, it became known as a notorious example of a "shamateur" league, as amateur teams secretly employed professional players in an attempt to gain an upper hand on their competition. When the Big Four announced their intention to compete in the Allan Cup playdowns, the Pacific Coast Hockey Association
sent a letter of protest to the Canadian Hockey Association
, demanding that the league be declared professional, thus ineligible to compete for the Allan Cup. The CHA agreed, and stripped the league of its amateur standing after only one season.
The controversy continued to haunt the Big Four in its second season. Repeated accusations were made by teams against their opponent's star players, accusing them of being pros. An accusation against the Eskimos' goaltender, Bill Tobin
by the two Calgary teams led both to threaten to pull out of the league. While Tobin was vindicated, the threats led the league to suspend operations, formally canceling the championship. The Tigers and Eskimos, however, agreed to play their own playoff, known as the Intercity Championship. The Tigers defeated the Eskimos in a two-game, total goal series, but the Big Four League was finished.
After the Big Four League disbanded and the Tigers and Eskimos formed the openly professional Western Canada Hockey League
, the AAHA could concentrate on true amateur play. Various senior leagues have existed since 1921, and teams such as the Calgary Stampeders
and Edmonton Flyers
have played for and won the Allan Cup.
dating back to 1919. The first Alberta junior team to qualify for the Memorial Cup Finals was the Calgary Canadians in 1924. The Canadians would win the Memorial Cup in 1926.
Like the rest of Canada, the junior leagues have developed into various tiers as the number of teams and popularity of ice hockey has grown. Today the CHL's Western Hockey League
is the top junior level league operating in Alberta. Hockey Alberta operates the Alberta Junior Hockey League
which was formed in 1963.
Sport governing body
A sport governing body is a sports organization that has a regulatory or sanctioning function. Sport governing bodies come in various forms, and have a variety of regulatory functions. Examples of this can include disciplinary action for rule infractions and deciding on rule changes in the sport...
of all ice hockey
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
in Alberta
Alberta
Alberta is a province of Canada. It had an estimated population of 3.7 million in 2010 making it the most populous of Canada's three prairie provinces...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
and is affiliated with Hockey Canada
Hockey Canada
Hockey Canada, formally known as the Canadian Hockey Association, is the national governing body of ice hockey in Canada and is a member of the International Ice Hockey Federation. Hockey Canada controls a vast majority of ice hockey in Canada, with a few exceptions...
. It was founded in 1907 as the Alberta Amateur Hockey Association (AAHA) to be the governing body for Alberta intra-city ice hockey
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
play.
History
Hockey had been played for over 10 years before Alberta was proclaimed a province in 1905. Play took place on an exhibition or friendly basis. As teams developed, a need developed for a governing body to administer the game at a provincial level for intra-city games. At a November 29, 1907 meeting in Red DeerRed Deer, Alberta
Red Deer is a city in Central Alberta, Canada. It is located near the midpoint of the Calgary-Edmonton Corridor and is surrounded by Red Deer County. It is Alberta's third-most-populous city – after Calgary and Edmonton. The city is located in aspen parkland, a region of rolling hills...
, the Alberta Amateur Hockey Association was founded, with R.N. Brown elected as the first president of the organization.
In 1914, the AAHA would be one of the founding associations for the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association
Canadian Amateur Hockey Association
The Canadian Amateur Hockey Association was the national governing body of amateur ice hockey play in Canada from 1914 until 1994 when it merged with the Canadian Hockey Association or Hockey Canada....
, formed at meetings held on December 4, 1914 in the Chateau Laurier at Ottawa
Ottawa
Ottawa is the capital of Canada, the second largest city in the Province of Ontario, and the fourth largest city in the country. The city is located on the south bank of the Ottawa River in the eastern portion of Southern Ontario...
.
In 2007, the centennial of the association was celebrated with the hosting of the Allan Cup
Allan Cup
The Allan Cup is the trophy awarded annually to the national senior amateur men’s ice hockey champions of Canada. It has been competed for since 1909. The current champion is the Clarenville Caribous hockey club of Newfoundland and Labrador.-History:...
in Stony Plain.
Senior League history
Montreal Wanderers
The Montreal Wanderers were a Canadian amateur, and later becoming a professional men's ice hockey team. The team played in the Federal Amateur Hockey League , the Eastern Canada Amateur Hockey Association , the National Hockey Association and briefly the National Hockey League . The Wanderers are...
for the Stanley Cup
Stanley Cup
The Stanley Cup is an ice hockey club trophy, awarded annually to the National Hockey League playoffs champion after the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Finals. It has been referred to as The Cup, Lord Stanley's Cup, The Holy Grail, or facetiously as Lord Stanley's Mug...
.
While Calgary was larger than Edmonton at the time of the AAHA founding, the Calgary associations declined to participate until joining the Senior "A" league in 1910. The Calgary Shermans, named for their rink, were the first team from Calgary. In 1910, Edmonton would again challenge for the Stanley Cup
Stanley Cup
The Stanley Cup is an ice hockey club trophy, awarded annually to the National Hockey League playoffs champion after the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Finals. It has been referred to as The Cup, Lord Stanley's Cup, The Holy Grail, or facetiously as Lord Stanley's Mug...
, this time against the Ottawa Senators (original)
Ottawa Senators (original)
The Ottawa Senators were an amateur, and later, professional, ice hockey team based in Ottawa, Canada which existed from 1883 to 1954. The club was the first hockey club in Ontario, a founding member of the National Hockey League and played in the NHL from 1917 until 1934...
. This would be the last challenge for the Stanley Cup from AAHA teams. After the founding of the professional National Hockey Association
National Hockey Association
The National Hockey Association was a professional ice hockey organization with teams in Ontario and Quebec, Canada. It is the direct predecessor organization to today's National Hockey League...
, the Alberta senior teams would compete for the Allan Cup
Allan Cup
The Allan Cup is the trophy awarded annually to the national senior amateur men’s ice hockey champions of Canada. It has been competed for since 1909. The current champion is the Clarenville Caribous hockey club of Newfoundland and Labrador.-History:...
, which they do to this day.
Big Four League
For more information, see Big-4 LeagueBig-4 League
The Big-4 League was a top level senior ice hockey league that operated in Calgary and Edmonton, Alberta for two seasons between 1919 and 1921. Created with the intention of competing for the Allan Cup senior-amateur championship, the league's existence was marred by accusations that its teams...
.
In 1919, under the guidance of AAHA league president Allan McCaw, a new elite senior amateur
Senior ice hockey
Senior hockey refers to amateur or semi-professional ice hockey competition for players too old to play junior ice hockey. The top senior amateur teams in Canadian leagues compete annually for the Allan Cup....
league was established in Alberta with two teams each in Calgary and Edmonton. The league's intention was to compete for the Allan Cup
Allan Cup
The Allan Cup is the trophy awarded annually to the national senior amateur men’s ice hockey champions of Canada. It has been competed for since 1909. The current champion is the Clarenville Caribous hockey club of Newfoundland and Labrador.-History:...
, emblematic of Canada's national senior championship. The Tigers
Calgary Tigers
The Calgary Tigers, often nicknamed the Bengals, were an ice hockey team based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada from 1920 until 1927 as members of the Big Four League, Western Canada Hockey League and Prairie Hockey League. The Tigers were revived in 1932, playing for a short-lived four years in the...
were created, along with the Canadians to represent Calgary, while the Edmonton Eskimos
Edmonton Eskimos (hockey)
The Edmonton Eskimos were a Canadian amateur and later professional men's ice hockey team that existed from 1905 to 1927. The Eskimos challenged three times for the Stanley Cup, losing each time; in 1908 versus the Montreal Wanderers, in 1910 versus the Ottawa Senators, and Ottawa again in 1923...
and Dominions represented Alberta's capital. The Calgary teams were hosted at the Victoria Arena
Victoria Arena (Calgary)
The Victoria Arena was the main ice hockey arena in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, and one of the first. It was the home arena of the Calgary Tigers, a professional ice hockey team which played in the Western Canada Hockey League which used it from 1920 until 1934. Later the Calgary Stampeders ice...
, which had been converted into a hockey rink in 1918.
While the Big Four League billed itself as an amateur circuit, it became known as a notorious example of a "shamateur" league, as amateur teams secretly employed professional players in an attempt to gain an upper hand on their competition. When the Big Four announced their intention to compete in the Allan Cup playdowns, the Pacific Coast Hockey Association
Pacific Coast Hockey Association
The Pacific Coast Hockey Association was a professional men's ice hockey league in western Canada and the western United States, which operated from 1911 to 1924 when it then merged with the Western Canada Hockey League...
sent a letter of protest to the Canadian Hockey Association
Canadian Hockey Association (1909-1910)
The Canadian Hockey Association was an early men's professional ice hockey league. It was founded in 1909 as the result of a dispute within the Eastern Canada Hockey Association, but was the loser of the dispute. The league survived only a few weeks of play in January 1910 before teams left the...
, demanding that the league be declared professional, thus ineligible to compete for the Allan Cup. The CHA agreed, and stripped the league of its amateur standing after only one season.
The controversy continued to haunt the Big Four in its second season. Repeated accusations were made by teams against their opponent's star players, accusing them of being pros. An accusation against the Eskimos' goaltender, Bill Tobin
Bill Tobin (ice hockey)
Bill Tobin is a former Canadian ice hockey player, executive and head coach. He was president of the Chicago Black Hawks from the team's inception in 1926 until 1954. For the last ten of those years , he was also nominally the team's owner. However, he was actually a puppet for Detroit Red...
by the two Calgary teams led both to threaten to pull out of the league. While Tobin was vindicated, the threats led the league to suspend operations, formally canceling the championship. The Tigers and Eskimos, however, agreed to play their own playoff, known as the Intercity Championship. The Tigers defeated the Eskimos in a two-game, total goal series, but the Big Four League was finished.
After the Big Four League disbanded and the Tigers and Eskimos formed the openly professional Western Canada Hockey League
Western Canada Hockey League
The Western Canada Hockey League , founded in 1921, was a major professional ice hockey league originally based in the prairies of Canada. It was renamed the Western Hockey League in 1925 and disbanded in 1926.-History:...
, the AAHA could concentrate on true amateur play. Various senior leagues have existed since 1921, and teams such as the Calgary Stampeders
Calgary Stampeders (hockey)
The Calgary Stampeders are a defunct ice hockey team that was based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The team existed from 1938 until 1972, playing in various senior and minor professional leagues during that time...
and Edmonton Flyers
Edmonton Flyers
The Edmonton Flyers are a defunct ice hockey team that was based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. The team existed from 1940 until 1963, playing in various senior and minor professional leagues during that time...
have played for and won the Allan Cup.
Junior League History
Alberta junior teams played against Saskatchewan Hockey Association teams to qualify for the Memorial CupMemorial Cup
The Memorial Cup is a junior ice hockey club championship trophy awarded annually to the Canadian Hockey League champion. It is awarded following a four-team, round robin tournament between a host team and the champions of the CHL's three member leagues: the Ontario Hockey League , Quebec Major...
dating back to 1919. The first Alberta junior team to qualify for the Memorial Cup Finals was the Calgary Canadians in 1924. The Canadians would win the Memorial Cup in 1926.
Like the rest of Canada, the junior leagues have developed into various tiers as the number of teams and popularity of ice hockey has grown. Today the CHL's Western Hockey League
Western Hockey League
The Western Hockey League is a major junior ice hockey league based in Western Canada and the Northwestern United States. The WHL is one of three leagues that constitute the Canadian Hockey League as the highest level of junior hockey in Canada...
is the top junior level league operating in Alberta. Hockey Alberta operates the Alberta Junior Hockey League
Alberta Junior Hockey League
The Alberta Junior Hockey League is an Alberta-based Junior A hockey league that belongs to the Canadian Junior Hockey League . It was formed as a five-team league in 1964. There are currently 16 teams in the league. The regular season league champions receive the Dave Duchak Trophy...
which was formed in 1963.
Leagues
- Alberta Junior Hockey LeagueAlberta Junior Hockey LeagueThe Alberta Junior Hockey League is an Alberta-based Junior A hockey league that belongs to the Canadian Junior Hockey League . It was formed as a five-team league in 1964. There are currently 16 teams in the league. The regular season league champions receive the Dave Duchak Trophy...
Junior "A" - Calgary Junior Hockey LeagueCalgary Junior Hockey LeagueThe Calgary Junior Hockey League is a Junior "B" ice hockey league based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. It is sanctioned by Hockey Canada, and operated by Hockey Calgary...
Junior "B" - Capital Junior Hockey LeagueCapital Junior Hockey LeagueThe Capital Junior Hockey League is a Junior "B" ice hockey league in Alberta, Canada, sanctioned by Hockey Canada. The winner of Central "B" playoffs earns the chance to compete for the Western Canadian Junior "B" Crown, the Keystone Cup...
Junior "B" - Heritage Junior B Hockey LeagueHeritage Junior B Hockey LeagueThe Heritage Junior B Hockey League is a Junior "B" ice hockey league in Alberta, Canada, sanctioned by Hockey Canada. The HJHL was founded in 1987 and is made up of teams from southern and central Alberta...
Junior "B" - North Eastern Alberta Junior B Hockey LeagueNorth Eastern Alberta Junior B Hockey LeagueThe North Eastern Alberta Junior B Hockey League is a Junior "B" Ice Hockey league in Alberta, Canada, sanctioned by Hockey Canada. The winner of Central "B" playoffs earns the chance to compete for the Western Canadian Junior "B" Crown, the Keystone Cup...
Junior "B" - Northwest Junior Hockey League Junior "B"
- Calgary Junior C Hockey League Junior "C"
- Noralta Junior Hockey LeagueNoralta Junior Hockey LeagueThe Noralta Junior Hockey League is a Junior "C" ice hockey league in Alberta, Canada, sanctioned by Hockey Canada. This league used to be called the North Central Alberta Junior "C" Hockey League.-The teams:-Champions:...
Junior "C" - North Central Hockey League Senior Hockey
- Chinook Hockey LeagueChinook Hockey LeagueThe Chinook Hockey League is a multi-tier Canadian Senior ice hockey league based in Alberta, but includes teams from other provinces. The ChHL is one of two Allan Cup eligible ice hockey leagues currently operating in Canada, the other is Ontario's Major League Hockey.-Teams:*Bentley...
Senior Hockey - Central Alberta Hockey League Minor Hockey
- Alberta Major Bantam Hockey League Minor Hockey
- Rural and Edmonton Midget Minor AAA Hockey League Minor Hockey
- Alberta Midget Hockey LeagueAlberta Midget Hockey LeagueThe Alberta Midget Hockey League or AMHL is the provincial Midget AAA ice hockey league for Alberta, Canada. The league consists of 18 teams split into the Dodge and Chrysler Divisions. League champions go on to compete with the BC Hockey Major Midget League champions to represent the Pacific at...
Minor Hockey - 16/60 League Minor Hockey
- Central Alberta Bantam Hockey League Minor Hockey
- Edmonton Minor Hockey Association Bantam AA Minor Hockey