Lethbridge Broncos
| Lethbridge Broncos | |
|---|---|
 | |
| City | Lethbridge, Alberta |
| League | Western Hockey League |
| Operated | 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