Red Deer Rustlers

History

The Rustlers joined the AJHL in 1967 on the orders of the Alberta Amateur Hockey Association, which blocked their attempt at joining the Western Canada Hockey League as an expansion team. The Rustlers would quickly rise to the top of the AJHL, capturing four league titles in five years between 1970 and 1974. In 1971, they captured the first Centennial Trophy as Canadian Junior A national champions. The Rustlers repeated that feat in 1980.

During this time, the Rustlers developed many players who would go on to play major-junior or college hockey, while 20 ultimately played in the National Hockey League. Among them were all six members of the Sutter family to play in the NHL: Brian, Darryl, Duane, Brent, Ron and Rich. Gary Sutter, the seventh, and only, brother not to play in the NHL turned down an invitation to play for the Rustlers in 1972.

In 1989, after winning their eighth league championship, the Rustlers were expelled from the league for violating its by-laws. The team remained suspended until 1992 when it officially folded, making room for the Red Deer Rebels, as the central Alberta city finally joined the WHL.

Season-by-season record

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

^†Team granted a one-year leave of absence in 1985-86. They would re-emerge in 1986-87 under new ownership.

Playoffs

1971 Won League, Won Alta/BC Championship, Won Abbott Cup, Won 1971 Centennial Cup

Red Deer Rustlers defeated Mount Royal College 4-games-to-1 Red Deer Rustlers defeated Lethbridge Sugar Kings 4-games-to-1 AJHL CHAMPIONS Red Deer Rustlers defeated Penticton Broncos (BCJHL) 4-games-to-3 ALTA/BC CHAMPIONS Red Deer Rustlers defeated St. Boniface Saints (MJHL) 4-games-to-none ABBOTT CUP CHAMPIONS Red Deer Rustlers defeated Charlottetown Islanders (MJAHL) 4-games-to-2 CENTENNIAL CUP CHAMPIONS

1972 Won League, Won Alta/BC Championship, Won Abbott Cup, Lost 1972 Centennial Cup

Red Deer Rustlers defeated Lethbridge Sugar Kings 4-games-to-3 Red Deer Rustlers defeated Calgary Canucks 4-games-to-1 AJHL CHAMPIONS Red Deer Rustlers defeated Vernon Essos (BCJHL) 4-games-to-2 ALTA/BC CHAMPIONS Red Deer Rustlers defeated Humboldt Broncos (SJHL) 4-games-to-1 ABBOTT CUP CHAMPIONS Guelph CMC's (SOJHL) defeated Red Deer Rustlers 4-games-to-none

1973 Lost Final

Red Deer Rustlers defeated The Pass Red Devils 4-games-to-2 Calgary Canucks defeated Red Deer Rustlers 4-games-to-3

1974 Won League, Lost Alta/BC Championship

Red Deer Rustlers defeated Edmonton Mets 4-games-to-none Red Deer Rustlers defeated The Pass Red Devils 4-games-to-1 AJHL CHAMPIONS Kelowna Buckaroos (BCJHL) defeated Red Deer Rustlers 4-games-to-1

1975 DNQ

1976 Lost Semi-final

Spruce Grove Mets defeated Red Deer Rustlers 4-games-to-2

1977 Lost Semi-final round robin

Red Deer Rustlers defeated Fort Saskatchewan Traders 4-games-to-2 Third in semi-final round robin (1-3) vs. Calgary Canucks and Taber Golden Suns

1978 Lost Quarter-final

St. Albert Saints defeated Red Deer Rustlers 4-games-to-3

1979 Lost Quarter-final

Calgary Canucks defeated Red Deer Rustlers 4-games-to-none

1980 Won League, Won Alta/BC Championship, Won Abbott Cup, Won 1980 Centennial Cup

Red Deer Rustlers defeated Sherwood Park Crusaders 3-games-to-none Red Deer Rustlers defeated St. Albert Saints 4-games-to-1 Red Deer Rustlers defeated Calgary Canucks 4-games-to-1 AJHL CHAMPIONS Red Deer Rustlers defeated Penticton Knights (BCJHL) 4-games-to-none ALTA/BC CHAMPIONS Red Deer Rustlers defeated Prince Albert Raiders (SJHL) 4-games-to-2 ABBOTT CUP CHAMPIONS First in 1980 Centennial Cup round robin (3-1) Red Deer Rustlers defeated North York Rangers (OPJHL) 3-2 in final CENTENNIAL CUP CHAMPIONS

1981 Lost Quarter-final

St. Albert Saints defeated Red Deer Rustlers 3-games-to-1

1982 Lost Semi-final

Red Deer Rustlers defeated Calgary Canucks 4-games-to-none Calgary Spurs defeated Red Deer Rustlers 4-games-to-1

1983 Lost Semi-final

Red Deer Rustlers defeated Olds Grizzlys 4-games-to-1 Calgary Canucks defeated Red Deer Rustlers 4-games-to-2

1984 Lost Final

Red Deer Rustlers defeated Hobbema Hawks 4-games-to-1 Red Deer Rustlers defeated Calgary Spurs 4-games-to-1 Fort Saskatchewan Traders defeated Red Deer Rustlers 4-games-to-none

1985 Won League, Lost Doyle Cup

Red Deer Rustlers defeated Olds Grizzlys 4-games-to-none Red Deer Rustlers defeated Calgary Spurs 4-games-to-none Red Deer Rustlers defeated Sherwood Park Crusaders 4-games-to-2 AJHL CHAMPIONS Penticton Knights (BCJHL) defeated Red Deer Rustlers 4-games-to-1

1986 Did Not Participate

1987 Won League, Lost Doyle Cup

Red Deer Rustlers defeated Calgary Spurs 4-games-to-3 Red Deer Rustlers defeated Calgary Canucks 4-games-to-3 Red Deer Rustlers defeated St. Albert Saints 4-games-to-2 AJHL CHAMPIONS Richmond Sockeyes (BCJHL) defeated Red Deer Rustlers 4-games-to-3

1988 Lost Semi-final

Red Deer Rustlers defeated Olds Grizzlys 4-games-to-2 Calgary Canucks defeated Red Deer Rustlers 4-games-to-none

1989 Won League, Lost Doyle Cup

Red Deer Rustlers defeated Calgary Spurs 4-games-to-1 Red Deer Rustlers defeated Olds Grizzlys 4-games-to-1 Red Deer Rustlers defeated Fort Saskatchewan Traders 4-games-to-1 AJHL CHAMPIONS Vernon Lakers (BCJHL) defeated Red Deer Rustlers 4-games-to-2