![]() ![]() The Edmonton Safeway Canadians and Maple Leafs would later merge in 1971 to become the Edmonton Mets, then move to Spruce Grove to become the Spruce Grove Mets in 1974. ![]() The 1963-64 Alberta Junior Playoffs were used as the impetus to form the league. The season prior to establishment of the AJHL the Buffaloes and Oil Kings had played in Intermediate (Senior) level Central Alberta Hockey League while the Cowboys and Sugar Kings played in the mixed level (junior, intermediate, and senior level) Alberta Big Six League and the Canadians appeared to have played an independent schedule. The original league consisted of the Edmonton Safeway Canadians, the Edmonton Maple Leafs, the Lethbridge Sugar Kings, Calgary Cowboys, and the Calgary Buffaloes. A group of business and hockey people got together in 1964 and decided to form a Junior "A" league in an attempt to truly develop Alberta hockey. ![]() The issue in 1964 was that there were hundreds of junior-calibre players in the province, but really only one team to play for. In 1966, the Oil Kings helped create the Western Hockey League. The Oil Kings were the Western Canadian champions from 1962 until 1966, Abbott Cup champions in 1954 and from 1960 to 1966, and Memorial Cup national champions in 19. The Edmonton Oil Kings were the only true Junior-A-calibre team in the province and drew most of the top talent Alberta had to offer. The early 1960s saw a much different junior hockey scenario in Alberta than what currently exists. ![]()
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