The Heritage Junior Hockey League is getting ready to hit a milestone this season, celebrating 40 years of Junior B hockey in communities across southern and central Alberta.
Since getting its start in the late 1980s, the league has become a steady presence in the province’s hockey landscape, giving young players a chance to develop close to home while building strong connections with their local fans. What began as a small regional league has grown into one of Alberta’s established Junior B circuits.
“Reaching 40 years is something everyone involved in this league can be proud of,” said Paddy Maclure, HJHL Vice President. “It’s a reflection of the people behind the scenes just as much as the players on the ice — volunteers, billets, coaches, and the communities that support these teams year after year.”
A league shaped by its teams
One of the league’s biggest strengths has always been its teams — both the ones still playing today and those that helped build the foundation in earlier years.
Heading into the 2026–27 season, the HJHL features 12 teams:
Airdrie Techmation Thunder, Mountain View Colts, Red Deer Vipers, Rocky Rams, Sylvan Lake Wranglers, Rimbey Royals, Coaldale Copperheads, Cannex Cochrane Generals, High River Flyers, Medicine Hat Cubs, Carstar Okotoks Bisons, and the Agra Risk Wheatland Kings.
Each of these clubs represents its community in a real way, something league officials say has been key to its longevity.
“Our teams are part of their towns,” said James Ablett, HJHL Governor. “Fans know the players, families get involved, and that connection is what makes this league special. It’s not just about hockey — it’s about community.”
At the same time, the HJHL’s history includes a long list of former teams that fans will remember — organizations like the Lacombe Wranglers, Blackfalds Wranglers, Indus Hurricanes, Banff Academy Bears, and the Three Hills Thrashers, among others.
Those teams may no longer be active, but they played a key role in building rivalries and keeping the league growing through the years.
Success beyond the league
While the HJHL has always been about development, its teams have also found success outside league play.
The Red Deer Vipers brought home a Keystone Cup championship in 2006, and the Blackfalds Wranglers followed that up with another national title in 2011 — a strong showing for Alberta’s Junior B scene.
“The success we’ve had at the provincial and Western Canadian level shows the quality of hockey in this league,” Maclure added. “Players come here to get better, and they leave ready for the next step.”
Closer to home, the Okotoks Bisons have set the standard for consistency, holding the record for the most league championships.
Looking back — and ahead
Hitting the 40-year mark is a big moment for any league, and for the HJHL it’s a chance to reflect on everything that’s come before — the players who moved on to higher levels, the volunteers who kept things running, and the fans who have supported their teams year after year.
“It’s important to celebrate the history,” Ablett said, “but there’s also a lot of excitement about where the league is going next.”
With a strong group of teams, continued community support, and a focus on developing young players, the league looks well set for the future. If the past four decades are any indication, the Heritage Junior Hockey League will keep being an important part of Alberta hockey for a long time to come.
