Calgary Mustangs (ice hockey)

Last updated
Calgary Mustangs
Calgary Mustangs logo.svg
City Calgary, Alberta
League Alberta Junior Hockey League
DivisionSouth
Founded1990 (1990)
Home arena Father David Bauer Olympic Arena
ColoursNavy blue and gold
Franchise history
1972–1976 The Pass Red Devils
1976–1978 Pincher Creek Panthers
1978–1979 Calgary Chinooks
1979–1990 Calgary Spurs
1990–2010Calgary Royals
2010–2019Calgary Mustangs
2021– Blackfalds Bulldogs

The Calgary Mustangs were a junior A ice hockey team in the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL). They played in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, at the Father David Bauer Olympic Arena. They were known as the Calgary Royals from 1990 until 2010. On May 4, 2019, it was announced that the Mustangs had elected to take a leave of absence for the 2019–20 season. [1]

Contents

History

The logo of the Calgary Royals, used until 2010 Calgary Royals Logo.svg
The logo of the Calgary Royals, used until 2010

The franchise began play in the 1972–73 season as The Pass Red Devils based in Crowsnest Pass, Alberta. The Red Devils franchise lasted four years before relocating to the nearby community of Pincher Creek to become the Pincher Creek Panthers. The team lasted two seasons in Pincher Creek before relocating to Calgary to become the Calgary Chinooks. In 1979–80, under a new ownership group, the Chinooks became the Calgary Spurs.

Following the 1989–90 season, the Spurs ceased operations, leaving the AJHL with just seven franchises. The league opted to keep a second Calgary-based franchise along with the Calgary Canucks, and sold a new franchise to four local businessmen who named it the Calgary Jr. "A" Royals with the mandate of providing Calgary and area kids with the opportunity to combine a high level of hockey with a quality education.

The Royals were immediately successful, finishing second in the regular season standings, behind the Fort Saskatchewan Traders and winning the league championship in their first season. The Royals were unable to duplicate that success, as the team failed to make it past the second round of the playoffs since winning the title.

Faced with the challenges of sharing a market with the National Hockey League, Western Hockey League, and another AJHL team, the Royals were supported through corporate partnerships and volunteers. Seeking to distinguish itself from the city's minor hockey program of the same name, the franchise renamed itself the Mustangs prior to the 2010–11 season. [2]

After several seasons of struggling financially, the Mustangs were granted a leave of absence for the 2019–20 season. [3]

The Mustangs are approved to move to Blackfalds, Alberta for the 2021–22 season, after being sold to Doug Quinn. [4] [5]

Season-by-season record

Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T/OTL = Ties/Overtime losses, SOL = Shootout losses, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against

SeasonGPWLT/OTLSOLPtsGFGAFinishPlayoffs
1990–916034184722471792nd OverallWon quarterfinals, 4–0 (Canucks)
Won semifinals, 4–0 (Oil Barons)
Won AJHL Championship, 4–2 (Traders)
Lost Doyle Cup, 1–4 (Vernon Lakers of the BCHL)
1991–926040191813462522nd Overall Lost quarterfinals, 2–4 (Blazers)
1992–935628271572082086th OverallLost quarterfinals, 0–5 (Grizzlys)
1993–945726273552002386th OverallLost quarterfinals, 0–4 (Grizzlys)
1994–955625301512342526th OverallLost quarterfinals, 1–4 (Oil Barons)
1995–966023334502032448th OverallLost quarterfinals, 1–4 (Canucks)
1996–9760174033717526211th OverallDid not qualify
1997–986024324521962359th OverallDid not qualify
1998–996239212803202432nd SouthLost quarterfinals, 0–4 (Grizzlys)
1999–006429305632552534th SouthLost preliminary series, 0–3 (Eagles)
2000–016425336562803286th SouthWon Preliminary series, 3–1 (Canucks)
Lost quarterfinals, 2–4 (Kodiaks)
2001–026432293672282324th SouthWon Preliminary series, 3–2 (Canucks)
Lost quarterfinals, 3–4 (Eagles)
2002–036436253752462174th SouthLost preliminary series, 1–4 (Grizzlys)
2003–046034233712311734th SouthWon Preliminary series, 3–0 (Eagles)
Lost quarterfinals, 1–4 (Kodiaks)
2004–056427325592072375th SouthLost preliminary series, 0–3 (Eagles)
2005–066016386712311738th SouthDid not qualify
2006–076030300601842095th SouthLost preliminary series, 1–3 (Bandits)
2007–086219412401482308th SouthDid not qualify
2008–09628486221583008th SouthDid not qualify
2009–1060212910522132557th SouthLost preliminary series, 2–3 (Kodiaks)
2010–116028311572022354th SouthWon Preliminary series, 3–0 (Grizzlys)
Lost quarterfinals, 0–4 (Oilers)
2011–126031227691941884th SouthLost div. quarter-finals, 1–3 (Grizzlys)
2012–136021317501772186th SouthLost div. quarter-finals, 1–3 (Kodiaks)
2013–146026286581762066th SouthLost div. quarter-finals, 0–3 (Dragons)
2014–156020364551742297th SouthLost div. quarter-finals, 0–3 (Bandits)
2015–166012444281682958th of 8, South
15th of 16, AJHL
Did not qualify
2016–17608502181353448th of 8, South
16th of 16, AJHL
Did not qualify
2017–186024297551942485th of 8, South
10th of 16, AJHL
Lost div. quarter-finals, 0–3 (Kodiaks)
2018–196029229672211925th of 8, South
9th of 16, AJHL
Lost div. quarter-finals, 2–3 (Kodiaks)

NHL alumni

Some of the players that played on the Royals that went on to play in the NHL include:

See also

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References

  1. Rumbolt, Ryan (2019-05-04). "Calgary Mustangs hockey club plans 'leave of absence' from AJHL next season". Calgary Sun. Retrieved 2010-05-05.
  2. Gilbertson, Wes (2010-06-17). "New AJHL nickname unbridled". Calgary Sun. Retrieved 2010-06-17.
  3. "Calgary Mustangs Granted Leave of Absence for 2019-2020 Season". AJHL. 8 May 2019.
  4. Dormer, Dave (23 October 2019). "AJHL approves move of Calgary Mustangs hockey club to Blackfalds". Calgary. Retrieved 23 October 2019.
  5. "AJHL Approves Relocation of Calgary Mustangs to Blackfalds, AB Under New Ownership". AJHL. 23 October 2019.
Alberta Junior Hockey League website
Calgary Mustangs website
Calgary Royals website

Defunct Alberta Junior Hockey League teams