Alberta Elite Hockey League


The Alberta Elite Hockey League or AEHL 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 Flames are the current league champions. Red Deer is the last AEHL team to win a national title, having won in 2012 & 2013.

Current teams

North Division

South Division

Telus Cup

The Calgary Northstars, Calgary Buffaloes, and Red Deer Optimist Rebels/Chiefs, 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. Alberta has hosted the national championship three times: 1991 Air [Canada Cup|1991] in Calgary, 2007 in Red Deer, and 2012 in Leduc.
YearAMHL WinnerHost City
2013Red Deer Optimist ChiefsSault Ste. Marie, Ontario
2012Red Deer Optimist RebelsLeduc
2003Calgary NorthstarsSault Ste. Marie
1991Calgary NorthstarsCalgary
1989Calgary BuffaloesSt. John's

Alumni

Many players move on from the AEHL to play Junior A or Major Junior in Western Canada. The league's National Hockey League 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, Bryan McCabe, and Ozzy Wiesblatt.