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81-752: The Swift Current Broncos are a Canadian major junior ice hockey team based in Swift Current , Saskatchewan . Founded in 1967, the Broncos relocated to Lethbridge , Alberta in 1974, and were known as the Lethbridge Broncos , before returning to Swift Current in 1986. The team plays in the East Division of the Western Hockey League 's Eastern Conference, and hosts games at Innovation Credit Union iPlex . Swift Current

162-664: A bucking bronco and horseshoe design with a blue and green colour scheme. The team minimized and then dropped green starting in 1995, before updating and adopting their original designs full-time in 2014. In November 2018, a jersey honouring both the Swift Current Broncos and the Humboldt Broncos —another Saskatchewan junior team deeply affected by a fatal bus crash that occurred in April of that year—was unveiled and worn by both teams. Like many junior teams,

243-608: A director with the Czech Ice Hockey Association , felt that Junior-aged players were enticed to play in North America before maturation, with a negative effect on the development of the player and the European system. He stated that of the 527 Czech Republic players who went to North American Junior hockey, only 22 of them played more than 400 NHL games. He sought to establish a European system that

324-638: A franchise record with 12 consecutive losses. As part of the 2011 Heritage Classic , hosted by the Flames, the Hitmen hosted the Regina Pats in an outdoor game at McMahon Stadium on February 21, 2011. Regina won 3–2 before 20,888 fans, setting new WHL and CHL attendance records. In 2019, the Hitmen hosted the Corral Series, a three-game series paying tribute to former teams that used to play in

405-534: A home crowd of over 15,000 fans, earned the Hitmen a berth in the 2010 Memorial Cup tournament. At the tournament, Calgary posted a 2–1 record in the round robin, defeating the QMJHL's Moncton Wildcats and the host Brandon Wheat Kings, but lost the semi-final in overtime, also against Brandon. Following the graduation of many of the team's top scorers, the Hitmen fell to last place the WHL in 2010–11 , at one point tying

486-428: A portion of the board that tried to suspend the team. The team refused professional counseling and turned down offers from other teams to loan players to the Broncos. The team called on prospects to fill out the roster and, led by star rookie Joe Sakic , who recorded 60 goals, earned the final playoff spot before bowing out in the first round. Since the bus crash, the team has worn a commemorative patch in remembrance of

567-720: A professional team, and are used by professional teams to develop their own prospects. One example of this is the J20 SuperElit league in Sweden or the Minor Hockey League in Russia . The lack of an amateur draft in Europe means that the onus is on the teams to sign the most talented young players they can get, and the presence of an affiliated junior team provides a place for young players who are not yet ready for

648-401: A result, the Hitmen averaged 10,062 fans per game and set a new league attendance record. The season total of 362,227 fans easily beat the old record by over 45,000. The Hitmen became the first Canadian Hockey League team to average over 10,000 fans per game, having the highest average attendance of any hockey team—junior or professional—in North America that year. The 2005–06 Hitmen battled

729-575: A score of 6–1. In the playoffs, the Hitmen defeated the Moose Jaw Warriors and Swift Current Broncos in six games apiece, advancing to the Eastern Conference finals for the second consecutive season. Following the graduation of several players, including Karl Alzner , who was named both WHL player of the year and CHL defenceman of the year, the 2008–09 Hitmen were expected to enter a rebuilding period. Instead, they captured

810-653: A significant concentration of teams in the central and southwestern parts of the United States, although the league began to expand to east coast as of 2015. In October 2016, the Tier III United States Premier Hockey League , a league predominately located on the east coast, applied to USA Hockey for approval of a Tier II league to begin in the 2017–18 season, however, the league was denied that December and decided to operate its Tier II league independently. The NAHL, like

891-817: Is currently the only Tier I league in the country, consisting of teams in the central and midwestern United States. The USHL provides an alternative to the Canadian Hockey League, which pays its major junior hockey players a stipend, for players who wish to maintain NCAA eligibility for later in their career. While playing in the USHL, all player expenses are paid for by the team; no membership or equipment fees are charged. Unlike major junior teams, free-college stipend does not exist. Historically, professional leagues have drafted less directly from USHL teams, although this trend has shifted in recent years, coinciding with

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972-435: Is the smallest city with a team in the WHL, and the second smallest across the entire Canadian Hockey League . The Broncos are three-time WHL playoff champions, and won the 1989 Memorial Cup . Before any of their championships, the Broncos were known for a 1986 team bus crash that resulted in the deaths of four players. The Broncos were founded in 1967, joining the fledgling Western Canada Hockey League. The team, playing in

1053-582: The 1993 Memorial Cup , the Broncos were eliminated in a tie-breaker. After the season, James resigned and worked on establishing an expansion team, which became the Calgary Hitmen . However, three years later, allegations arose that he sexually abused Sheldon Kennedy and one other former player during their time with the Broncos in the late 1980s. James plead guilty and was ultimately convicted and sentenced to three years in prison; he would later plead guilty to sexually assaulting another Broncos player in

1134-695: The 1997–98 Hitmen to a significant turnaround. The team improved to a 40–28–4 record and first-place finish in the Central Division, qualifying for the playoffs for the first time in franchise history. They defeated the Saskatoon Blades and Swift Current Broncos to reach the Eastern Conference final before falling to the Brandon Wheat Kings . Clark was awarded the Dunc McCallum Memorial Trophy as

1215-607: The 2004–05 season . Pogge's goaltending, along with the offensive leadership of forward Andrew Ladd , saw the Hitmen win their first playoff series in four years. They could not follow up on their victory over the Lethbridge Hurricanes, losing their second round series against the Brandon Wheat Kings in seven games. The Hitmen were heavily marketed by the Flames during the NHL's 2004–05 lock-out . As

1296-463: The 2008–09 season . Lowry was promoted to an assistant with the Calgary Flames after leading the Hitmen to a 122-point season in his first year. He was replaced by Mike Williamson , who led the team to a WHL championship in 2010 before leaving the team in 2014. He was followed by Mark French , Dallas Ferguson , and Steve Hamilton. In 2024, the team hired Paul McFarland who spending

1377-567: The Acadie-Bathurst Titan of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League . Finishing atop the round robin standings, the Hitmen earned a bye into the championship game, a rematch against the 67's. The final was a back-and-forth affair with Ottawa holding 4–1 and 6–5 leads; Calgary tied the game late to send it to overtime. Ottawa's Matt Zultek scored the winning goal 1:58 into overtime to give the 67's

1458-959: The Canadian Hockey League (CHL) : The championship teams from each league, as well as a pre-selected host team, compete for the Memorial Cup in a round-robin tournament to determine a national champion. Major Junior players were historically deemed ineligible to play college hockey in the United States , because they were considered to be professionals by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). Major Junior players retain their eligibility for Canadian universities however, and all three leagues have scholarship programs for players. The NCAA changed its position and decided that CHL players were no longer ineligible as of

1539-616: The Clarence Schmalz Cup which was first awarded in 1938. The Ontario Junior C playoffs are played for between six of the Province's seven different regional leagues. In Quebec and West of Manitoba, Junior C hockey tends to be an extension of the local minor hockey system and is sometimes called Juvenile or House League. In Ontario, Manitoba, and the Maritimes, Junior C is run independently of minor hockey systems, though with

1620-823: The Coupe Dodge in Quebec , the Don Johnson Cup in the Atlantic Provinces , and the Keystone Cup that represents all of Western Canada, from British Columbia to Northwestern Ontario . Junior C (Junior A in Québec ) generally consists of local competitions, but is considered competitive in some regions, and serve as seeding or farm-teams for Junior B teams. Ontario Junior C Hockey has six rounds of best-of-seven playoffs (up to 42 games per team) for

1701-694: The Greater Metro Junior A Hockey League has operated as an independent league in Ontario, Quebec, and Alberta. The league widely recruits players from outside of North America. In late 2016, the United States Premier Hockey League , an organization composed of several USA Hockey Tier III Junior as well as many youth hockey leagues, applied for a Tier II league. The Tier II status was denied in December 2016 but

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1782-561: The Medicine Hat Tigers for the top spot in the Western Hockey League for most of the season. Calgary finished with 101 points, their best total since 1999–2000, finishing two points behind Medicine Hat for the best record in the league. The team disappointed in the playoffs, falling to the Moose Jaw Warriors in the Eastern Conference semi-final. Pogge's performance during the season earned him honours as both

1863-663: The Moose Jaw Warriors and Saskatoon Blades, the Hitmen were upset by the Kootenay Ice in the Eastern Conference final, falling four games to one. The Hitmen went through a rebuilding period and finished third or fourth in the Central Division between 2001 and 2004, winning only one playoff series during that time. The Hitmen acquired goaltender Justin Pogge from the Prince George Cougars during

1944-668: The National Hockey League . Graham James left his position as coach and general manager of the Swift Current Broncos to found the Hitmen in 1994. He organized a group of eighteen investors in the club, including former Broncos and star National Hockey League players Theoren Fleury and Joe Sakic , along with Bret Hart , who made a career in the World Wrestling Federation . The Calgary Flames, who had just assumed control of

2025-505: The North American 3 Hockey League Some Junior ice hockey leagues operate outside the framework of governing bodies such as Hockey Canada and USA Hockey , typically due to disagreements with governing bodies over player recruitment policies and finances. These leagues are sometimes referred to as 'unsanctioned', 'rogue' or 'outlaw' leagues due to their lack of sanctioning or oversight from an outside governing body. Since 2006,

2106-766: The Philadelphia Flyers in 1998–99 . Andrew Ladd has gone on to win two Stanley Cup championships, with the Carolina Hurricanes in 2006 and the Chicago Blackhawks in 2010. His former Hitmen teammate, Ryan Getzlaf , won the Cup with the Anaheim Ducks in 2007, and Johnny Boychuk has one as a member of the 2011 Boston Bruins . Dean Clark coached the team between 1996 and 2001, winning more games than any other WHL coach. He

2187-826: The Regina Pats and Moose Jaw Warriors , defeated the Lethbridge Hurricanes in the Conference Final, and then the Everett Silvertips in the Final for the Ed Chynoweth Cup and the Broncos' third league championship. At the 2018 Memorial Cup , hosted in Regina, the Broncos were eliminated after dropping their three round-robin matches, including to the host Pats who avenged their playoff series loss. The Broncos' original logo featured

2268-619: The US . In 2023, the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) withdrew from the Hockey Canada framework, and thus became an independent league. In response, BC Hockey announced plans to restructure its Junior framework, which included an opportunity for some Junior B teams (styled "Junior A Tier 2" by BC Hockey) to be promoted to Junior A (styled "Junior A Tier 1" by BC Hockey) and eventually seek membership with

2349-466: The 2025–26 season. The decision was made after a class action was filed on behalf of a player who was declared ineligible after having played two exhibition games in the OHL when he was 16 years old. The CHL places a cap of three 20-year-old players per team, and allows up to four 16-year-olds on each roster. While 15-year-old players were formerly permitted to play a limited number of games per season at

2430-487: The Broncos frequently adopt limited-edition and special-event jerseys. In 2023, the team temporarily re-branded as the Lake Diefenbaker Slough Sharks, unveiling a new jersey featuring a northern pike logo. Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, OTL = Overtime losses, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against The Swift Current Broncos retired the jersey numbers of

2511-475: The Broncos' bus crashed in icy conditions on the way to a game in Regina . Several players were injured and four players were killed: Trent Kresse, Scott Kruger, Chris Mantyka, and Brent Ruff. Given the devastating tragedy, the team's board of directors discussed suspending operations for the remainder of the season. However, the players and coach, Graham James , voted to continue playing, and ultimately won out over

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2592-585: The CHL level, they are now permitted to play only if they are deemed exceptional by Hockey Canada . As of 2024 , nine players have qualified under this rule: centre John Tavares in 2005, defenceman Aaron Ekblad in 2011, centre Connor McDavid in 2012, defenceman Sean Day in 2013, centre Joe Veleno in 2015, centre Shane Wright in 2019, forward Connor Bedard in 2020, forward Michael Misa in 2022, and defenceman Landon DuPont in 2024. CHL teams are currently permitted two "imports" (players from outside Canada and

2673-772: The CJHL. The league expected the evaluations to be completed during the 2024—25 season. Junior B (Junior AA in Québec ; Tier 2 in British Columbia ) was created in 1933, to differentiate between teams eligible for Memorial Cup competition and those who were not. The major championships across Canada are the Sutherland Cup in Southern Ontario , the Barkley Cup in the Ottawa District ,

2754-425: The Calgary Flames purchased the team in 1997, they adopted a new colour scheme and updated the logo. The Hitmen support numerous programs and charities. They host an annual teddy bear toss in December. The 13th annual Petro Canada Teddy Bear Toss , held on December 2 , 2007, saw what the Hitmen claim a world record 26,919 bears tossed on to the ice by 17,341 fans. The bears are donated to charities throughout

2835-584: The Calgary area. A few of the bears are personally delivered by the players to the Alberta Children's Hospital , an event highly anticipated by patients at the hospital. The Hitmen are also partners with the Calgary Board of Education and their Read On! Literacy for Life program. Red Deer, Alberta author Sigmund Brouwer has released numerous young adult -oriented mystery novels about

2916-463: The Corral. The club selected its name and logo as an homage to Bret "Hitman" Hart, and the team's original pink, grey, and black jerseys were modelled after Hart's ring attire. The logo proved popular and Hitmen merchandise sold well. However, the name and logo were subject to criticism from segments of the public and the business community, who panned both as negative stereotypes of violence within

2997-477: The Hitmen roster at the National Hockey League's entry draft , including nine players selected in the first round. The highest drafted players in club history were Pavel Brendl ( 1999 ) and Andrew Ladd ( 2004 )—both players were selected fourth overall. Forty-four former Hitmen players have gone on to play in the National Hockey League. The first was Ryan Bast , who played two games with

3078-605: The Junior A British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) withdrew its membership with Hockey Canada and became an independent league. In 2024, the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League (VIJHL) announced that it would also withdraw from the Hockey Canada framework and become an independent farm league for the BCHL beginning in the 2024-25 season. In Europe, Junior teams are usually associated with

3159-584: The Saddledome and were looking to fill extra dates in the building, were receptive to the new team. When scheduling conflicts occurred, the Hitmen used the Stampede Corral as a secondary venue—including for the first seven games in club history. Calgary had been without a WHL team since the Wranglers moved south to become the Lethbridge Hurricanes in 1987. The league's expansion into Calgary

3240-520: The Tier III level pay a fee or tuition, commonly ranging from $ 4,000 to $ 9,500. This is for all accounts and purposes an amateur level, although some players go directly to NCAA Division I schools. Most Tier III players are looking to increase their skills in hopes to move up to Tier II or I, while other players go directly to NCAA Division III , ACHA and CHF schools. Prior to July 2011, USA Hockey split Tier III into Junior A and B divisions. USA Hockey currently has one sanctioned Tier III league,

3321-499: The Tigers. The Hitmen entered the 2007–08 season with expectation of being contenders, voted the pre-season pick to finish atop the Eastern Conference by the league's coaches and general managers. The team lived up to expectations, winning the Central Division, and finishing with the best record in the East for the first time since 2000. During a late season game, Calgary broke the league's single-game attendance record, as an announced crowd of 19,305 watched Calgary defeat Kootenay by

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3402-433: The US) each. Up until 1970, the leagues that were classified as Major Junior and "Junior A" today were both part of Junior A. In 1970 they were divided into "Tier I Junior A" or "Major Junior A" and "Tier II Junior A". In 1980, the three Major Junior A leagues opted for self-control over being controlled by the branches of the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association (CAHA) and became Major Junior hockey, Tier II Junior A became

3483-449: The USHL, provides young players an alternative to major junior hockey, although the skill level is considered significantly lower than major junior hockey and typically filled with those who would not or did not make the roster of a Tier I team. Unlike Tier I, the NAHL does not pay for all players' expenses, such as room and board, but there is no tuition cost to the player as in Tier III. In addition to paying for room and board, players at

3564-412: The USNTDP moving to the USHL in 2009-10. In the 2019 NHL Entry Draft , 17 of the 44 players drafted out of the USHL played for the USNTDP. Those 44 draft picks were 16 more than any of the three leagues in the Canadian Hockey League, and included 9 first round picks (8 of which came from the USNTDP) and 7 second round picks. For most of its existence the USHL was considered inferior in quality of play to

3645-422: The USPHL moved forward with the new league anyway, creating the National Collegiate Development Conference. In response, the USPHL has removed all their junior level leagues (the NCDC and the Tier III-level Premier and Elite Divisions) from USA Hockey sanctioning since the 2017–18 season. In 2022, the Eastern Hockey League , which was operating two Tier III leagues, also left USA Hockey sanctioning. In 2023,

3726-415: The WHL player of the year and CHL goaltender of the year . Calgary fell to third in the Central Division in 2006–07 . In the playoffs, they upset the Kootenay Ice , who finished 19-points ahead of Calgary in the regular season. The Hitmen then defeated the East Division champion Brandon Wheat Kings to reach the Eastern Conference final for the fourth time in franchise history, where they were defeated by

3807-463: The WHL championship series for the second consecutive year. Entering the final against the Tri-City Americans , the 11 players who returned from the 2009 finals loss vowed not to suffer a repeat of their disappointing finish to the previous season. Named the playoff MVP, Jones allowed only seven goals against in the final as the Hitmen defeated the Americans in five games to win their second Ed Chynoweth Cup in franchise history. The victory, in front of

3888-444: The WHL's top coach, and also won the Canadian Hockey League 's Brian Kilrea Coach of the Year Award . Calgary improved to 51–13–8 in 1998–99 , finishing one point ahead of the Kamloops Blazers for the Scotty Munro Memorial Trophy for best regular season record. Led by Brad Moran , Pavel Brendl , and goaltender Alexandre Fomitchev, the Hitmen lost just five games in the playoffs en route to their first President's Cup . They won

3969-402: The WHL, let alone Saskatchewan. Despite losing a late lead that sent the game to overtime, Tisdale scored the sudden-death winner to give the Broncos the national championship. The final was played less than two-and-a-half years after the 1986 bus crash. With Graham James still at the helm, the team remained competitive for several seasons, and captured a second league championship in 1992–93. At

4050-417: The championship. Brendl and Matt Kinch were named to the Memorial Cup All-Star team. The Hitmen entered the 1999–2000 season with expectations of making another Memorial Cup run. The club finished the regular season with a record of 58–12–2–2, once again winning the regular season title. The team set franchise records for victories (58) and points (120), which stood until the 2008–09 year. After sweeping

4131-484: The departure of its only Junior A league . Its three Junior B leagues ( PJHL , KIJHL and VIJHL ) were re-styled as "Junior A Tier 2", with plans to promote some to "Junior A Tier 1" following an independent evaluation. It was expected that those teams promoted to "Junior A Tier 1" would eventually apply for membership in the Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL), an association of Junior A leagues governed by Hockey Canada and its regional branches . BC Hockey expected

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4212-406: The early 1990s, among others. After their 1993 league title, the Broncos would advance to just one more Conference Final before 2018, winning only a single playoff round between 2002 and 2017. 2017–18 saw the team post its most wins since 1992–93 and its fourth ever 100-point season. Led by Glenn Gawdin , Aleksi Heponiemi , and goaltender Stuart Skinner , the Broncos survived 7-game series against

4293-427: The evaluations to be completed during the 2024-25 season. Before the process was completed, the VIJHL announced that it would also withdraw from the Hockey Canada framework and become an independent farm league for the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) beginning in the 2024-25 season. Major Junior is the highest level of Junior ice hockey in Canada. There are three Major Junior leagues that collectively make up

4374-463: The first Calgary team to win the President's Cup as league champions, and the first to represent the city in the Memorial Cup since the Calgary Canadians won the national junior title in 1926. The team won a second league championship in 2010. The Hitmen hold numerous WHL attendance records, and in 2004–05 became the first team in Canadian Hockey League history to average 10,000 fans per game. Thirty-nine former Hitmen players have gone on to play in

4455-466: The first inductee in 2015. Four Broncos Memorial Trophy Player of the year Bob Clarke Trophy Top scorer Doc Seaman Trophy Scholastic player of the year Brad Hornung Trophy Most sportsmanlike player Bill Hunter Memorial Trophy Defenceman of the year CHL Defenceman of the Year Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy Rookie of the year CHL Top Draft Prospect Award Del Wilson Trophy Goaltender of

4536-443: The four players killed. In memory of the players, the league renamed its annual award for best player the Four Broncos Memorial Trophy . On December 30, 2016—30 years after the crash—a two-metre tall granite memorial was unveiled at the crash site. The Broncos rapidly improved over the following two seasons, culminating in a 55-win season in 1988–89, securing the club's first Scotty Munro Trophy for best regular season record, led by

4617-423: The four players who died in the 1986 team bus crash. Bob Clarke Trophy (WHL top scorer) Four Broncos Memorial Trophy (WHL player of the year) Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy (WHL rookie of the year) Bill Hunter Memorial Trophy (WHL top defenceman) Del Wilson Trophy (WHL top goaltender) Dunc McCallum Memorial Trophy (WHL coach of the year) Doc Seaman Trophy (WHL scholastic player of

4698-411: The franchise's third Scotty Munro Trophy as the regular season champions, earning the top seed in the playoffs. The team tied or broke 21 franchise records during the regular season, including wins (59), points (122) and goals scored (330). Joel Broda led the league with 53 goals, while Brandon Kozun and Brett Sonne finished second and third in league scoring with 108 and 100 points, respectively; it

4779-419: The franchise. The original investors, many of whom played for or were otherwise associated with James, sold the team to the Flames for approximately $ 1.5 million in June 1997 . It was widely speculated that the new owners would change the team name, possibly to the Junior Flames; however, they ultimately chose to retain the name. Dean Clark took over as head coach shortly after James' resignation, and led

4860-414: The league's smallest city and in the brand new Centennial Civic Centre, struggled on the ice, posting losing records in its first six seasons. The Broncos finally posted a winning record and won their first playoff series in 1973–74; however, struggling to stay afloat, the team's ownership relocated the club to Lethbridge, Alberta, home to a brand new arena, after the season. A new Swift Current Broncos team

4941-477: The league, posting an 18–51–3 record. The Hitmen lost $ 250,000 in their first season and saw their season ticket base halved to 700 for the 1996–97 season . The losses led to questions about the viability of the club. James stunned the organization when he resigned as coach and general manager on September 5 , 1996. Two days later, the Calgary Police Service revealed that James was being investigated on allegations he sexually abused two former players while he

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5022-435: The likes of Brian Sakic , Dan Lambert , and Tim Tisdale. In the playoffs, the team went undefeated en route to capturing the President's Cup and the right to play in the 1989 Memorial Cup tournament, hosted in Saskatoon . The Broncos lost their round-robin game against the Saskatoon Blades before facing the Blades in a re-match in the tournament final—it was the first ever Memorial Cup final contested between two teams from

5103-413: The major junior levels. But it continued to improve and as of 2019 about 21 percent of NHL players had played USHL in their career. Between 80 and 90 percent of USHL players continued into NCAA hockey. Currently, the North American Hockey League is the only USA Hockey-sanctioned Tier II league in the United States. The NAHL consists of teams spread across the western two thirds of the United States with

5184-408: The next two to extend the series to a sixth game. The Hitmen lost game six in overtime, and the series 4–2, to end their season. Sonne was named WHL Player of the Year, while General Manager Kelly Kisio was named Executive of the Year for the second time in recognition of the Hitmen's season. The following season, Calgary again finished with the best record in the regular season with 107 points on

5265-465: The rigours of the professional game to develop. However, not all players on a European junior team are necessarily property of their professional club, and may elect to sign elsewhere. At the World Hockey Summit in 2010, nations in Europe expressed concern about the number of junior players leaving to play in North America, despite the improved talent level and the increasing popularity of the IIHF Ice Hockey World Junior Championships . Slavomir Lener,

5346-462: The same mostly recreational purpose. Junior ice hockey in the United States is sanctioned by USA Hockey . The top level is Tier I, represented by the United States Hockey League . Tier II is represented by the North American Hockey League . There are several Tier III and independently sanctioned leagues throughout the country. Some US-based teams play in Canadian leagues outside of the USA Hockey framework. The United States Hockey League (USHL)

5427-401: The sport . Among the chief critics of the new logo was the Flames organization, who received calls from concerned business people who shared that sentiment. Struggling to attract corporate sponsors, the Hitmen chose to scrap the " Jason Voorhees "-style logo in favour of an alternate "starburst" logo just two months after it was unveiled. The club went back to the original logo in 1996. When

5508-436: The strength of Kozun's CHL-leading 107 points and the goaltending of Martin Jones , who was named goaltender of the year in the WHL. The Hitmen's playoffs nearly ended quickly as they lost three of the first four games in their opening round playoff series against the Warriors before winning three consecutive games to take the series in seven. They then beat the Tigers and Wheat Kings in six and five games respectively to reach

5589-554: The team and fictitious Hitmen players. The ninth book in the series, titled Hitmen Star , was published in 2008. Copies of the books are distributed to sixth grade students throughout Calgary and southern Alberta schools; with Hitmen and former National Hockey League players helping to encourage students to take an active interest in reading. Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, OTL = Overtime losses, SOL = Shootout losses, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against Thirty-eight players have been selected from

5670-517: The three previous seasons as assistant coach of the Seattle Kraken . The Calgary Hitmen have captured numerous awards during the franchise's tenure. Hitmen players have been named the WHL's most outstanding player four times. Defenceman Karl Alzner won the Four Broncos Memorial Trophy in 2007–08—he was also named the defenceman of the year —and Brett Sonne won the trophy in 2008–09. Goaltender Martin Jones captured numerous awards in Calgary's championship season of 2009–10, including being named

5751-406: The title at home before a WHL playoff record crowd of 17,139. They became the first Calgary-based team to qualify for the Memorial Cup since the Calgary Canadians won the 1926 title. In the 1999 Memorial Cup , the Hitmen opened the tournament with a 5–3 victory over the Ontario Hockey League 's Belleville Bulls , followed by a 4–3 loss to the host Ottawa 67's . They followed with a 3–1 win over

5832-469: The top goaltender at the Memorial Cup, while Brandon Kozun led the entire Canadian Hockey League in scoring. Brad Moran , the franchise's all-time leading scorer, had his number 20 retired in 2005, the first player to be so honoured. Following the lead of the Calgary Flames, the team introduced a new program in 2015 to honour former players. Called "Forever a Hitmen", the team named Ryan Getzlaf

5913-616: The top tier of hockey in the CAHA and became Junior A hockey. Junior A (Junior AAA in Québec ; Tier 1 in British Columbia ) hockey is one level below Major Junior. It is governed by the respective regional branches of Hockey Canada . The Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL) is an association of nine Junior A leagues: The national championship is the Centennial Cup . Unlike Major Junior players, Junior A players retain their NCAA eligibility and may go on to play college hockey in

5994-913: The year) Brad Hornung Trophy (WHL most smortsmanship) WHL Playoff MVP (Awarded since 1992) Stafford Smythe Memorial Trophy (Memorial Cup MVP) Junior ice hockey There are four levels of Junior hockey in the Canadian Club System: 1. Major Junior, 2. Junior A, 3. Junior B, and 4. Junior C. Not all teams playing in Canadian Junior leagues are based in Canada . As of 2024 , there were approximately twelve US-based teams playing in various Major Junior and Junior A leagues in Canada. In 2023, BC Hockey announced plans to restructure its Junior framework following

6075-530: Was a founding owner and the inspiration for the team's name. Established in 1994, the team has been owned by the Calgary Flames hockey club since 1997. They are the third WHL team based in Calgary, after the Centennials and Wranglers . The Hitmen have won four regular season titles, and the team qualified for the playoffs for thirteen consecutive seasons between 1998 and 2010. In 1999, they became

6156-599: Was competitive enough to deter players from entering into the CHL Import Draft . Calgary Hitmen The Calgary Hitmen are a Canadian junior ice hockey team based in Calgary , Alberta . The Hitmen play in the Central Division of the Western Hockey League (WHL), hosting their home games at the Scotiabank Saddledome . Bret "Hitman" Hart , a professional wrestler and Calgary native,

6237-620: Was founded to play in the Tier II junior Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League starting that year. However, the community desired a return to top-flight junior hockey, and by 1986 close to 200 investors banded together to purchase the Lethbridge Broncos—who had won a league championship in 1983—and return them to Swift Current as a community-owned club. Only months into their first season back in Swift Current, on December 30, 1986,

6318-479: Was met with skepticism, as the league had historically struggled in Western Canada's largest markets of Vancouver , Edmonton , Calgary, and Winnipeg , when in competition with the NHL. The Hitmen entered their first season playing in the newly formed Central Division, and were predicted to finish as high as third in the five-team division. Instead, they finished as the second-worst regular season team in

6399-473: Was named coach of the year in both the WHL and CHL in 1998. He led the Hitmen to three division titles, two regular season titles, one league championship, and coached the Hitmen to their first Memorial Cup final. Kelly Kisio was head coach from the 2004–05 season to the end of the 2007–08 season , a role he shared with Dean Evason in his first year with the Hitmen. Kisio stepped down as coach in 2008, naming former assistant Dave Lowry as head coach for

6480-546: Was only the second time in franchise history that two players topped the 100-point mark in the same season. In the playoffs, the Hitmen won 12 straight games, sweeping the Edmonton Oil Kings , Lethbridge Hurricanes, and Brandon Wheat Kings to reach the WHL finals for the first time since 1999. In the finals, they were stunned by the Kelowna Rockets , losing the first three games of the series before winning

6561-514: Was with the Swift Current Broncos. James was charged, and in January 1997 pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual assault. Upon James' conviction and sentencing to prison, the Hitmen attempted to distance themselves from their former coach. The Hitmen struggled on the ice as well, again missing the playoffs after falling to a record of 15–53–4. The spectre of the Graham James scandal hurt

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