The Alberta Elite Hockey League or AEHL (formerly the Alberta Midget Hockey League) is the provincial U18 "AAA" ice hockey league for Alberta, Canada. The league consists of 17 teams split into the North and South Divisions. League champions go on to compete with the BC Elite Hockey League champions to represent the Pacific at the annual Telus Cup, Canada's national U18 championship. The Edmonton Jr. Oilers Blue are the current league champions. Red Deer is the last AEHL team to win a national title, having won in 2012 & 2013.
Current teams
North Division Edmonton Jr. Oilers Orange Edmonton Jr. Oilers Blue Fort Saskatchewan Strike Group Rangers GPAC Ernie's Sports Experts Storm (Grande Prairie) LJAC Wilhauk Jerky Oil Kings (Leduc) Lloydminster Lancers PAC Saints (Spruce Grove) St. Albert Raiders Sherwood Park Ennis Fabrics Kings
South Division Airdrie CFR Bisons Calgary Cannex Buffaloes Calgary United Pacific Projects (NW) Flames Calgary Northstars Calgary Royals Lethbridge Hurricanes Okotoks Bow Mark Oilers Red Deer Optimist Chiefs
League awards Trophy Top Scorer Trevor Linden Trophy Top Forward Top Defenceman Top Defensive Forward Top Goaltender Bob Johnson Memorial Trophy Top Sportsman Coach of the Year Esquire Watch MVP Playoff MVP
League champions Year Champion Air Canada/Telus 2026 Edmonton Jr. Oilers Blue Lost Pacific Championship2025 Calgary (NW) Flames Lost Pacific Championship2024 Calgary Buffaloes 3rd2023 Calgary (NW) Flames 6th2022 Calgary Buffaloes Lost Pacific Championship2021 - Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic2020 - Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic2019 Calgary Buffaloes 3rd2018 Lethbridge Hurricanes -2017 Shwab GM Oil Kings (Leduc)-2016 Lloydminister Bobcats 4th2015 UFA Bisons 4th2014 Red Deer Optimist ChiefsLost Pacific Championship2013 Red Deer Optimist ChiefsGold2012 Red Deer Optimist RebelsGold2011 Red Deer Optimist RebelsLost Pacific Championship2010 Red Deer Optimist Rebels5th2009 Calgary Buffaloes Silver2008 Calgary Buffaloes 4th 2007 Red Deer Rebels Silver 2006 Calgary Buffaloes Silver2005 Edmonton Southside Athletics 6th 2004 Red Deer Chiefs Bronze 2003 Calgary Northstars Gold 2002 Red Deer Chiefs 4th 2001 Calgary Royals Silver 2000 Fort Saskatchewan 4th 1999 Calgary Flames Silver 1998 Calgary Buffaloes Bronze1997 Calgary Royals Bronze 1996 Red Deer Chiefs 4th 1995 Red Deer Chiefs Silver1994 Red Deer Chiefs Silver 1993 Calgary Northstars 4th 1992 Sherwood Park Kings - 1991 Calgary Northstars Gold Sherwood Park Kings Silver 1990 St. Albert Raiders 4th 1989 Calgary Buffaloes Gold 1988 Calgary Northstars Silver1987 Calgary Buffaloes Bronze1986 Sherwood Park - 1985 Calgary Buffaloes Bronze
Most championships Team Championships Red Deer Rebels/Chiefs 10 Calgary Buffaloes 9 Calgary Northstars 3
Telus Cup The Calgary Northstars (1991 and 2003), Calgary Buffaloes (1989), and Red Deer Optimist Rebels/Chiefs (2012 & 2013), represent the only AMHL teams to have won the national midget title. The AMHL has represented the Pacific at the tournament every year since 1985, with the exceptions of 1986, 1992, 2007, and 2012, when British Columbian teams won representation. Alberta has hosted the national championship three times: 1991 in Calgary, 2007 in Red Deer, and 2012 in Leduc.
Year AMHL Winner Host City 2013 Red Deer Optimist Chiefs Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario 2012 Red Deer Optimist Rebels Leduc 2003 Calgary Northstars Sault Ste. Marie 1991 Calgary Northstars Calgary 1989 Calgary Buffaloes St. John's
Alumni Many players move on from the AEHL to play Junior A or Major Junior in Western Canada. The league's National Hockey League (NHL) alumni include Jarome Iginla, Dany Heatley, Jason Smith, Trent Hunter, Joffery Lupul, Trevor Linden, Geoff Sanderson, Scottie Upshall, Brian Sutherby, Mike Comrie, Nick Tarnasky, Jonathan Filewich, Bryan McCabe, and Ozzy Wiesblatt.
Other divisions
As of 2026, the Alberta Elite Hockey League operates both at the AAA and AA level, following the addition of AA teams and a U13 AAA pilot in the 2024-2025 season. The league houses the following divisions:
AAA Divisions Alberta Elite Hockey League U17 AAA Alberta Elite Hockey League U15 AAA Alberta Elite Hockey League U13 AAA
AA Divisions Alberta Elite Hockey League U18 AA Alberta Elite Hockey League U16 AA Alberta Elite Hockey League U15 AA Alberta Elite Hockey League U13 AA
See also Hockey Alberta Telus Cup BC Elite Hockey League - U18 AAA
References
External links Official web site