Lethbridge Broncos
Encyclopedia
The Lethbridge Broncos were a junior ice hockey
team in the Western Hockey League
from 1974 until 1986. They played at the Lethbridge Sportsplex.
in Swift Current, Saskatchewan
, but moved to Lethbridge in 1974. The team had been losing money in tiny Swift Current and the new Lethbridge Sportsplex was beckoning for a team. The Broncos played in Lethbridge for twelve seasons, winning the President's Cup
in 1982–83. In the mid 1980s, the team came up for sale, and despite a large and loyal fanbase, the Broncos were bought by interests in Swift Current and moved back to their original home. Lethbridge was without WHL hockey for only one season however, as the Calgary Wranglers
moved to the city, becoming the Lethbridge Hurricanes
in 1987.
Junior ice hockey
Junior hockey is a catch-all term used to describe various levels of ice hockey competition for players generally between 16 and 20 years of age...
team in the Western Hockey League
Western Hockey League
The Western Hockey League is a major junior ice hockey league based in Western Canada and the Northwestern United States. The WHL is one of three leagues that constitute the Canadian Hockey League as the highest level of junior hockey in Canada...
from 1974 until 1986. They played at the Lethbridge Sportsplex.
- Division titles won: 1977–78, 1981–82
- Regular season titles won: 1981–82
- WHL ChampionshipsPresident's Cup (WHL)The Ed Chynoweth Cup is an ice hockey club championship trophy awarded to the playoff champion of the Western Hockey League . Originally called the President's Cup when the league was founded in 1966, the trophy was renamed in 2007 to honour Ed Chynoweth's long service to junior hockey in Canada...
won: 1982–83 - Memorial CupMemorial CupThe Memorial Cup is a junior ice hockey club championship trophy awarded annually to the Canadian Hockey League champion. It is awarded following a four-team, round robin tournament between a host team and the champions of the CHL's three member leagues: the Ontario Hockey League , Quebec Major...
Titles: None
History
The Broncos started out as the Swift Current BroncosSwift Current Broncos
The Swift Current Broncos are a junior ice hockey team in the Western Hockey League. Founded during 1967 in Swift Current, Saskatchewan, the Broncos played seven seasons before relocating to Lethbridge from 1974 to 1986 as the Lethbridge Broncos...
in Swift Current, Saskatchewan
Swift Current, Saskatchewan
Swift Current is a small city in southwest Saskatchewan. It is situated along the Trans Canada Highway west from Moose Jaw, and east from Medicine Hat, Alberta. Swift Current grew 0.8% between 2001 and 2006 ending up at 14,946 residents. The city is surrounded by the Rural Municipality of Swift...
, but moved to Lethbridge in 1974. The team had been losing money in tiny Swift Current and the new Lethbridge Sportsplex was beckoning for a team. The Broncos played in Lethbridge for twelve seasons, winning the President's Cup
President's Cup (WHL)
The Ed Chynoweth Cup is an ice hockey club championship trophy awarded to the playoff champion of the Western Hockey League . Originally called the President's Cup when the league was founded in 1966, the trophy was renamed in 2007 to honour Ed Chynoweth's long service to junior hockey in Canada...
in 1982–83. In the mid 1980s, the team came up for sale, and despite a large and loyal fanbase, the Broncos were bought by interests in Swift Current and moved back to their original home. Lethbridge was without WHL hockey for only one season however, as the Calgary Wranglers
Calgary Wranglers
The Calgary Wranglers were a junior ice hockey team that played in the Western Hockey League from 1977 until 1987. The Wranglers played their home games in Calgary, Alberta, at the Stampede Corral.-Season-by-season Record:...
moved to the city, becoming the Lethbridge Hurricanes
Lethbridge Hurricanes
The Lethbridge Hurricanes are a junior ice hockey team in the Eastern Conference of the Western Hockey League in Lethbridge, Alberta. They play their home games at the ENMAX Centre.-History:...
in 1987.
Season-by-season record
Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals againstSeason | GP | W | L | T | GF | GA | Points | Finish | Playoffs |
1974–75 | 70 | 28 | 32 | 10 | 302 | 315 | 66 | 2nd East | Lost quarter-final |
1975–76 | 72 | 28 | 35 | 9 | 293 | 352 | 65 | 3rd East | Lost quarter-final |
1976–77 | 72 | 28 | 32 | 12 | 324 | 335 | 68 | 3rd Central | Lost semi-final |
1977–78 | 72 | 36 | 29 | 7 | 341 | 328 | 79 | 1st Central | Eliminated in preliminary round robin |
1978–79 | 72 | 37 | 28 | 7 | 389 | 326 | 81 | 2nd Central | Lost semi-final |
1979–80 | 72 | 28 | 39 | 5 | 329 | 349 | 61 | 6th East | Lost in first round |
1980–81 | 72 | 37 | 33 | 2 | 339 | 332 | 76 | 4th East | Lost East Division semi-final |
1981–82 | 72 | 50 | 22 | 0 | 421 | 280 | 100 | 1st East | Lost East Division final |
1982–83 | 72 | 38 | 31 | 3 | 284 | 271 | 79 | 5th East | Won Championship President's Cup (WHL) The Ed Chynoweth Cup is an ice hockey club championship trophy awarded to the playoff champion of the Western Hockey League . Originally called the President's Cup when the league was founded in 1966, the trophy was renamed in 2007 to honour Ed Chynoweth's long service to junior hockey in Canada... |
1983–84 | 72 | 44 | 28 | 0 | 271 | 256 | 88 | 4th East | Lost in first round |
1984–85 | 72 | 30 | 40 | 2 | 295 | 322 | 62 | 5th East | Lost in first round |
1985–86 | 72 | 27 | 42 | 3 | 314 | 379 | 57 | 5th East | Eliminated in East Division round robin |
NHL alumni
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Head coaches
- Mike Shabaga 1970–71
- Stan Dunn: 1970–71 to 1973–74
- Earl Ingarfield 1974–75 to 1975–76
- Mike Sauter 1976–77
- Howie Yanosik 1977–78
- Pat GinnellPat GinnellPatrick "Patty" Ginnell was a Canadian professional ice hockey player and junior league coach. He played a total of ten seasons professionally in the Western Hockey League and International Hockey League...
1978–79 - Mike Sauter 1979–80
- John Chapman 1980–81 to 1985–86
- Graham James 1985–86