Lethbridge Broncos

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Lethbridge Broncos
City Lethbridge, Alberta
League Western Hockey League
Operated 1974 (1974)–1986
Home arena Lethbridge Sportsplex
Franchise history
1967–74 Swift Current Broncos
1974–86 Lethbridge Broncos
1986–present Swift Current Broncos

The Lethbridge Broncos were a junior ice hockey team in the Western Hockey League from 1974 until 1986. They played at the Lethbridge Sportsplex.

Division titles won: 1977–78, 1981–82
Regular season titles won: 1981–82
WHL Championships won: 1982–83
Memorial Cup Titles: None

History

The Broncos started out as the Swift Current Broncos 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.

Season-by-season record

Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against

Season 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
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

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 Ginnell 1978–79
  • Mike Sauter 1979–80
  • John Chapman 1980–81 to 1985–86
  • Graham James 1985–86

See also

References

  • 2005–06 WHL Guide
Defunct Western Hockey League teams
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