The Alberta Elite Hockey League or AEHL (formerly the Alberta Midget Hockey League) is the provincial U18 "AAA" ice hockey league for Alberta, Canada. The league consists of 17 teams split into the North and South Divisions. League champions go on to compete with the BC Elite Hockey League champions to represent the Pacific at the annual Telus Cup, Canada's national U18 championship. The Calgary Buffaloes are the current league champions. Red Deer is the last AEHL team to win a national title, having won in 2012 & 2013.
| Sport | Ice hockey |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1984 |
| No. of teams | 17 |
| Country |  Canada |
| Most recent champion(s) | Calgary (NW) Flames (2022-2023) |
| Most titles | Red Deer Rebels/Chiefs |
| Level on pyramid | U18 AAA |
| Related competitions | Telus Cup |
| Official website | www |
Current teams
editNorth Division
edit- Canadian (CAC) Gregg Distributors (Edmonton)
- Fort Saskatchewan Straightline Dodge Rangers
- Grande Peace Ernie's Sports Storm (Grande Prairie)
- Leduc Wilhauk Jerky Oil Kings
- Lloydminster Inland Steel Bobcats
- Maple Leaf (MLAC) Beverly Optimists (Edmonton)
- St. Albert Nektar Raiders
- Sherwood Park Ennis Kings
- South Side (SSAC) BP Athletics (Edmonton)
South Division
edit- Airdrie CFR Bisons
- Calgary Buffaloes
- Calgary (NW) Flames
- Calgary Northstars
- Calgary Royals
- Lethbridge Hurricanes
- Okotoks Bow Mark Oilers
- Red Deer Optimist Chiefs
League awards
edit| Trophy | |
| Harry Allen Memorial Trophy | Top Scorer |
| Trevor Linden Trophy | Top Forward |
| Brian Benning Trophy | Top Defenceman |
| Brian Sutter Trophy | Top Defensive Forward |
| Bill Ranford Trophy | Top Goaltender |
| Bob Johnson Memorial Trophy | Top Sportsman |
| Glen Sather Trophy | Coach of the Year |
| Richard Warwick Memorial Trophy | |
| Esquire Watch MVP | Playoff MVP |
League champions
edit| Year | Champion | Air Canada/Telus |
| 2023 | Calgary (NW) Flames | Unknown |
| 2022 | Calgary Buffaloes | Lost Pacific Championship |
| 2021 | - | Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic |
| 2020 | - | Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic |
| 2019 | Calgary Buffaloes | 3rd |
| 2018 | Lethbridge Hurricanes | - |
| 2017 | Shwab GM Oil Kings (Leduc) | - |
| 2016 | Lloydminister Bobcats | 4th |
| 2015 | UFA Bisons | 4th |
| 2014 | Red Deer Optimist Chiefs | Lost Pacific Championship |
| 2013 | Red Deer Optimist Chiefs | Gold |
| 2012 | Red Deer Optimist Rebels | Gold |
| 2011 | Red Deer Optimist Rebels | Lost Pacific Championship |
| 2010 | Red Deer Optimist Rebels | 5th |
| 2009 | Calgary Buffaloes | Silver |
| 2008 | Calgary Buffaloes | 4th |
| 2007 | Red Deer Rebels | Silver |
| 2006 | Calgary Buffaloes | Silver |
| 2005 | Edmonton Southside Athletics | 6th |
| 2004 | Red Deer Chiefs | Bronze |
| 2003 | Calgary Northstars | Gold |
| 2002 | Red Deer Chiefs | 4th |
| 2001 | Calgary Royals | Silver |
| 2000 | Fort Saskatchewan | 4th |
| 1999 | Calgary Flames | Silver |
| 1998 | Calgary Buffaloes | Bronze |
| 1997 | Calgary Royals | Bronze |
| 1996 | Red Deer Chiefs | 4th |
| 1995 | Red Deer Chiefs | Silver |
| 1994 | Red Deer Chiefs | Silver |
| 1993 | Calgary Northstars | 4th |
| 1992 | Sherwood Park Kings | - |
| 1991 | Calgary Northstars | Gold |
| Sherwood Park Kings | Silver | |
| 1990 | St. Albert Raiders | 4th |
| 1989 | Calgary Buffaloes | Gold |
| 1988 | Calgary Northstars | Silver |
| 1987 | Calgary Buffaloes | Bronze |
| 1986 | Sherwood Park | - |
| 1985 | Calgary Buffaloes | Bronze |
Most championships
edit| Team | Championships |
| Red Deer Rebels/Chiefs | 10 |
| Calgary Buffaloes | 9 |
| Calgary Northstars | 3 |
Telus Cup
editThe Calgary Northstars (1991 and 2003), Calgary Buffaloes (1989), and Red Deer Optimist Rebels/Chiefs (2012 & 2013), represent the only AMHL teams to have won the national midget title. The AMHL has represented the Pacific at the tournament every year since 1985, with the exceptions of 1986, 1992, 2007, and 2012, when British Columbian teams won representation.[1] Alberta has hosted the national championship three times: 1991 in Calgary, 2007 in Red Deer, and 2012 in Leduc.
| Year | AMHL Winner | Host City |
| 2013 | Red Deer Optimist Chiefs | Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario |
| 2012 | Red Deer Optimist Rebels | Leduc |
| 2003 | Calgary Northstars | Sault Ste. Marie |
| 1991 | Calgary Northstars | Calgary |
| 1989 | Calgary Buffaloes | St. John's |
Alumni
editMany players move on from the AEHL to play Junior A or Major Junior in Western Canada. The league's National Hockey League (NHL) alumni include Jarome Iginla, Dany Heatley, Jason Smith, Trent Hunter, Joffery Lupul, Trevor Linden, Geoff Sanderson, Scottie Upshall, Brian Sutherby, Mike Comrie, Nick Tarnasky, Jonathan Filewich and Bryan McCabe.
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "League Champions". Alberta Midget Hockey League. Archived from the original on 2012-07-23. Retrieved 2009-03-27.