Calgary Mustangs (ice hockey)

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]

Calgary Mustangs
CityCalgary, Alberta
LeagueAlberta Junior Hockey League
DivisionSouth
Founded1990 (1990)
Home arenaFather David Bauer Olympic Arena
ColoursNavy blue and gold
Franchise history
1972–1976The Pass Red Devils
1976–1978Pincher Creek Panthers
1978–1979Calgary Chinooks
1979–1990Calgary Spurs
1990–2010Calgary Royals
2010–2019Calgary Mustangs
2021–Blackfalds Bulldogs

History
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
1990–916034184—722471792nd 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)
1991–92604019—1813462522nd Overall Lost quarterfinals, 2–4 (Blazers)
1992–93562827—1572082086th OverallLost quarterfinals, 0–5 (Grizzlys)
1993–94572627—3552002386th OverallLost quarterfinals, 0–4 (Grizzlys)
1994–95562530—1512342526th OverallLost quarterfinals, 1–4 (Oil Barons)
1995–96602333—4502032448th OverallLost quarterfinals, 1–4 (Canucks)
1996–97601740—33717526211th OverallDid not qualify
1997–98602432—4521962359th OverallDid not qualify
1998–99623921—2803202432nd SouthLost quarterfinals, 0–4 (Grizzlys)
1999–00642930—5632552534th SouthLost preliminary series, 0–3 (Eagles)
2000–016425336—562803286th SouthWon Preliminary series, 3–1 (Canucks)
Lost quarterfinals, 2–4 (Kodiaks)
2001–026432293—672282324th SouthWon Preliminary series, 3–2 (Canucks)
Lost quarterfinals, 3–4 (Eagles)
2002–036436253—752462174th SouthLost preliminary series, 1–4 (Grizzlys)
2003–046034233—712311734th SouthWon Preliminary series, 3–0 (Eagles)
Lost quarterfinals, 1–4 (Kodiaks)
2004–056427325—592072375th SouthLost preliminary series, 0–3 (Eagles)
2005–066016386—712311738th SouthDid not qualify
2006–076030300—601842095th SouthLost preliminary series, 1–3 (Bandits)
2007–086219412—401482308th SouthDid not qualify
2008–09628486—221583008th SouthDid not qualify
2009–1060212910—522132557th SouthLost preliminary series, 2–3 (Kodiaks)
2010–116028311—572022354th SouthWon Preliminary series, 3–0 (Grizzlys)
Lost quarterfinals, 0–4 (Oilers)
2011–126031227—691941884th SouthLost div. quarter-finals, 1–3 (Grizzlys)
2012–136021317—501772186th SouthLost div. quarter-finals, 1–3 (Kodiaks)
2013–146026286—581762066th SouthLost div. quarter-finals, 0–3 (Dragons)
2014–156020364—551742297th SouthLost div. quarter-finals, 0–3 (Bandits)
2015–166012444—281682958th of 8, South
15th of 16, AJHL		Did not qualify
2016–17608502—181353448th of 8, South
16th of 16, AJHL		Did not qualify
2017–186024297—551942485th of 8, South
10th of 16, AJHL		Lost div. quarter-finals, 0–3 (Kodiaks)
2018–196029229—672211925th 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

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
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