St. Albert Saints

The St. Albert Saints were a junior ice hockey franchise based in St. Albert, Alberta, Canada, for twenty-seven seasons from 1977 to 2004. Before 1977, the team played in nearby Spruce Grove as the Spruce Grove Mets, and in 2004 the team again moved to Spruce Grove where they now play as the Spruce Grove Saints. In all its incarnations, the team has been a part of the junior 'A' Alberta Junior Hockey League.

St. Albert Saints
City	St. Albert, Alberta
League	Alberta Junior Hockey League
Operated	1977 (1977)-2004
Home arena	Akinsdale Arena
Colours	Red, white and gold
Franchise history
1963–1972	Edmonton Movers
1972–1974	Edmonton Mets
1974–1977	Spruce Grove Mets
1977–2004	St. Albert Saints
2004–present	Spruce Grove Saints
Previous franchise history
1963–1972	Edmonton Maple Leafs (merged with Movers)

History

The Saints began life as the Edmonton Western Movers, named for the team's sponsor,^[1] as one of the original franchises of the Alberta Junior Hockey League in 1963. Nine years later, the Movers merged with their cross-town rivals the Edmonton Maple Leafs (named after the more famous Toronto NHL club) to become the Edmonton Mets as of the 1972–73 season. The team moved to the suburban city of Spruce Grove to become the Spruce Grove Mets as of the 1974–75 season. However, the team's stay in Spruce Grove was short-lived, and before the 1977–78 season the team moved to another Edmonton suburb, St. Albert, where they became the St. Albert Saints.

In Edmonton, the team had already built up its share of history, winning two Carling Cups as the Movers in 1967 and 1968 and adding another two consecutive championships as the Mets in 1975 and 1976, with the 1975 incarnation also taking the national Manitoba Centennial Trophy. But in St. Albert, the team built up most of its most famous alumni and took its share of major championships, although it would never repeat the glory of the 1975 Mets on the national stage.

 

The Saints' old logo until the 1989 season.

The Saints won four league titles during their time in St. Albert, taking the 1981, 1982 and 1996 Carling Cups as well as the 1998 Rogers Wireless Cup. But it was its players that achieved the greatest fame, with the most famous undoubtedly being long-time NHLer and six-time Stanley Cup champion Mark Messier, who played one season with the Mets and one with the Saints. Other notable alumni have included longtime New Jersey Devils stalwart Ken Daneyko (who only played two games with the Saints), longtime Chicago Blackhawks player and current Blackhawks WGN-AM radio color analyst Troy Murray, and later NHL standouts such as Steven Reinprecht, Stu Barnes and Mike Comrie. Players such as Fernando Pisani, Steven Goertzen, René Bourque and Jamie Lundmark have had workmanlike careers in the NHL, while other players such as Alexander Fomitchev have gone on to great success in other professional leagues.

Despite these successful players, the Saints were also involved in one of the most tragic incidents in junior hockey history, when a clean hit by a Saints player on Sherwood Park Crusaders forward and captain Trevor Elton resulted in the death of Elton. They were also involved in one of the most violent, a famous bench-clearing brawl on November 21, 1979, between the Saints and the Red Deer Rustlers. This brawl resulted in the suspension of several players, as well as Saints head coach Doug Messier and Rustlers' trainer Terry Sexsmith for getting a little too involved in the battle. Sexsmith was later banned from the AJHL for life. It is reported that Messier had four affiliated Junior B players dressed and hiding in the locker room who then joined the brawl, as planned, soon after it started.

Departure

As the 21st century rolled around, complaints increasingly began to grow that the Saints' arena, Akinsdale Arena, was of a calibre too low to house a junior 'A' franchise. Various newer arenas seating over a thousand, such as the Sherwood Park Crusaders' Sherwood Park Arena, the 2,000-seat Jubilee Recreation Centre, home of the Fort Saskatchewan Traders, and then vacant 1,200-seat Grant Fuhr Arena in Spruce Grove - which was expected to receive a significant upgrade - are all within a short drive of St. Albert. Akinsdale Arena, by comparison, was relatively old and very small, seating only 611 with room for 200 standing, the smallest capacity in the league. The arena also suffered in terms of parking, amenities, and quality of view.

By the 2002-03 season, it was becoming clear that the Saints would be moved, with Barrhead or the oil town of Leduc frequently cited as potential locations. The team was even forced to play out its last games in Edmonton's Bill Hunter Arena, where it never drew crowds of less than double Akinsdale's maximum capacity.^[2]

Despite rumours that the St. Albert city council under mayor Richard Plain was to approve the construction of a new multi-use facility including a 1,700-seat arena (one that would eventually be approved for over $40 million in 2004), the Saints moved to Spruce Grove to start the 2004-05 AJHL campaign.

Season-by-season record

Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T/OTL = Ties and overtime losses, SOL = Shootout losses Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against

Season	GP	W	L	T/OTL	SOL	GF	GA	Pts	Finish	Playoffs
1966-67	32	25	3	4	-	228	118	54	1st AJHL
1969-70	50	19	27	4	-	160	227	42	5th AJHL
1970-71	50	9	36	5	-	165	282	23	6th AJHL
1971-72	48	16	30	2	-	187	239	34	6th AJHL
1972-73	60	25	33	2	-	257	315	52	5th AJHL
1973-74	60	30	27	3	-	280	254	63	3rd AJHL
1974-75	60	44	16	0	-	368	220	88	1st AJHL
1975-76	60	35	22	3	-	312	258	73	2nd AJHL
1976-77	60	35	23	2	-	263	235	72	4th AJHL
1977-78	60	38	21	1	-	318	264	77	2nd AJHL
1978-79	60	39	20	1	-	311	250	79	3rd AJHL
1979-80	59	34	23	2	-	313	237	70	3rd AJHL
1980-81	60	33	24	3	-	285	250	69	2nd AJHL North
1981-82	60	46	14	0	-	338	199	92	1st AJHL North
1982-83	60	41	19	0	-	372	239	82	1st AJHL North
1983-84	60	37	23	0	-	340	276	74	2nd AJHL North
1984-85	60	36	20	4	-	333	260	76	2nd AJHL North
1985-86	52	31	20	1	-	297	248	63	1st AJHL North
1986-87	60	37	20	3	-	307	241	77	2nd AJHL North
1987-88	60	42	18	0	-	320	206	84	1st AJHL North
1988-89	60	28	29	3	-	264	262	59	3rd AJHL North
1989-90	60	16	41	3	-	245	328	35	5th AJHL North
1990-91	56	30	23	3	-	197	201	63	4th AJHL
1991-92	60	37	20	-	3	278	254	77	4th AJHL
1992-93	56	34	20	-	2	269	224	70	3rd AJHL
1993-94	56	21	34	-	1	210	253	43	7th AJHL
1994-95	56	29	23	-	4	232	235	62	4th AJHL
1995-96	60	38	17	-	5	268	194	81	3rd AJHL
1996-97	60	34	22	-	4	226	221	72	3rd AJHL
1997-98	60	42	15	-	3	311	184	87	1st AJHL
1998-99	62	43	19	-	0	286	202	86	1st AJHL North
1999-00	64	19	43	-	2	209	315	40	6th AJHL North
2000-01	64	37	21	6	-	227	190	80	3rd AJHL North
2001-02	64	42	12	10	-	254	169	94	1st AJHL North
2002-03	64	38	20	6	-	250	196	82	2nd AJHL North
2003-04	60	36	22	2	-	210	187	74	2nd AJHL North

Playoffs

• 1971 DNQ
• 1972 DNQ
• 1973 DNQ
• 1974 Lost semi-final

Red Deer Rustlers defeated Edmonton Mets 4-games-to-none

• 1975 Won League, won Alta/BC Championship, won Abbott Cup, won 1975 Centennial Cup

Spruce Grove Mets defeated Calgary Canucks 4-games-to-1

Spruce Grove Mets defeated Drumheller Falcons 4-games-to-3 AJHL CHAMPIONS

Spruce Grove Mets defeated Bellingham Blazers (BCJHL) 4-games-to-2 ALTA/BC CHAMPIONS

Spruce Grove Mets defeated Selkirk Steelers (MJHL) 4-games-to-2 ABBOTT CUP CHAMPIONS

Spruce Grove Mets defeated Guelph CMC's (SOJHL) 4-games-to-2 CENTENNIAL CUP CHAMPIONS

• 1976 Won League, won Alta/BC Championship, won Abbott Cup, lost 1976 Centennial Cup

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

Spruce Grove Mets defeated Taber Golden Suns 4-games-to-none AJHL CHAMPIONS

Spruce Grove Mets defeated Nor'Wes Caps (PJHL) 4-games-to-1 ALTA/BC CHAMPIONS

Spruce Grove Mets defeated Prince Albert Raiders (SJHL) 4-games-to-1 ABBOTT CUP CHAMPIONS

Rockland Nationals (CJHL) defeated Spruce Grove Mets 4-games-to-1

• 1977 Lost quarter-final

Taber Golden Suns defeated Spruce Grove Mets 4-games-to-none

• 1978 Lost semi-final round robin

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

Third in semi-final round robin (1-3) vs. Fort Saskatchewan Traders and Calgary Canucks

• 1979 Lost semi-final round robin

St. Albert Saints defeated Taber Golden Suns 4-games-to-1

Third in semi-final round robin (2-2) vs. Calgary Canucks and Fort Saskatchewan Traders

• 1980 Lost semi-final

St. Albert Saints defeated Fort Saskatchewan Traders 3-games-to-none

Red Deer Rustlers defeated St. Albert Saints 4-games-to-1

• 1981 Won League, won Atla/BC Championship, lost Abbott Cup

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

St. Albert Saints defeated Sherwood Park Crusaders 4-games-to-2

St. Albert Saints defeated Taber Golden Suns 4-games-to-3 AJHL CHAMPIONS

St. Albert Saints defeated Penticton Knights (BCJHL) 4-games-to-1 ALTA/BC CHAMPIONS

Prince Albert Raiders (SJHL) defeated St. Albert Saints 4-games-to-none

• 1982 Won League, won Atla/BC Championship, lost Abbott Cup

St. Albert Saints defeated Hobbema Hawks 4-games-to-none

St. Albert Saints defeated Fort McMurray Oil Barons 4-games-to-none

St. Albert Saints defeated Calgary Spurs 4-games-to-3 AJHL CHAMPIONS

St. Albert Saints defeated Penticton Knights (BCJHL) 4-games-to-3 ALTA/BC CHAMPIONS

Prince Albert Raiders (SJHL) defeated St. Albert Saints 4-games-to-1

• 1983 Lost semi-final

St. Albert Saints defeated Sherwood Park Crusaders 4-games-to-none

Fort McMurray Oil Barons defeated St. Albert Saints 4-games-to-1

• 1984 Lost semi-final

St. Albert Saints defeated Sherwood Park Crusaders 4-games-to-3

Fort Saskatchewan Traders defeated St. Albert Saints 4-games-to-3

• 1985 Lost quarter-final

Fort Saskatchewan Traders defeated St. Albert Saints 4-games-to-2

• 1986 Lost quarter-final

Fort McMurray Oil Barons defeated St. Albert Saints 4-games-to-1

• 1987 Lost final

St. Albert Saints defeated Fort McMurray Oil Barons 4-games-to-2

St. Albert Saints defeated Sherwood Park Crusaders 4-games-to-3

Red Deer Rustlers defeated St. Albert Saints 4-games-to-2

• 1988 Lost final

St. Albert Saints defeated Fort McMurray Oil Barons 4-games-to-2

St. Albert Saints defeated Hobbema Hawks 4-games-to-2

Calgary Canucks defeated St. Albert Saints 4-games-to-1

• 1989 Lost quarter-final

Sherwood Park Crusaders defeated St. Albert Saints 4-games-to-2

• 1990 Lost quarter-final

Calgary Canucks defeated St. Albert Saints 4-games-to-3

• 1991 Lost quarter-final

Fort McMurray Oil Barons defeated St. Albert Saints 4-games-to-none

• 1992 Lost quarter-final

Fort Saskatchewan Traders defeated St. Albert Saints 4-games-to-3

• 1993 Lost semi-final

St. Albert Saints defeated Calgary Canucks 5-games-to-2

Fort Saskatchewan Traders defeated St. Albert Saints 4-games-to-3

• 1994 Lost semi-final

St. Albert Saints defeated Fort Saskatchewan Traders 4-games-to-3

Olds Grizzlys defeated St. Albert Saints 4-games-to-none

• 1995 Lost quarter-final

Sherwood Park Crusaders defeated St. Albert Saints 4-games-to-1

• 1996 Won League, lost Doyle Cup

St. Albert Saints defeated Sherwood Park Crusaders 4-games-to-3

St. Albert Saints defeated Olds Grizzlys 4-games-to-none

St. Albert Saints defeated Fort McMurray Oil Barons 4-games-to-3 AJHL CHAMPIONS

Vernon Vipers (BCHL) defeated St. Albert Saints 4-games-to-3

• 1997 Lost semi-final

St. Albert Saints defeated Sherwood Park Crusaders 4-games-to-2

Fort McMurray Oil Barons defeated St. Albert Saints 4-games-to-2

• 1998 Won League, lost Doyle Cup

St. Albert Saints defeated Olds Grizzlys 4-games-to-2

St. Albert Saints defeated Calgary Canucks 4-games-to-3

St. Albert Saints defeated Fort Saskatchewan Traders 4-games-to-2 AJHL CHAMPIONS

South Surrey Eagles (BCHL) defeated St. Albert Saints 4-games-to-2

• 1999 Lost final

St. Albert Saints defeated Grande Prairie Storm 4-games-to-1

St. Albert Saints defeated Lloydminster Blazers 4-games-to-3

Calgary Canucks defeated St. Albert Saints 4-games-to-none

• 2000 Lost Preliminary

Fort Saskatchewan Traders defeated St. Albert Saints 3-games-to-1

• 2001 Lost quarter-final

St. Albert Saints defeated Sherwood Park Crusaders 3-games-to-none

Grande Prairie Storm defeated St. Albert Saints 4-games-to-1

• 2002 Lost quarter-final

Grande Prairie Storm defeated St. Albert Saints 4-games-to-2

• 2003 Lost final

St. Albert Saints defeated Lloydminster Blazers 4-games-to-1

St. Albert Saints defeated Grande Prairie Storm 4-games-to-1

St. Albert Saints defeated Sherwood Park Crusaders 4-games-to-1

Camrose Kodiaks defeated St. Albert Saints 4-games-to-3

• 2004 Lost Preliminary

Lloydminster Blazers defeated St. Albert Saints 3-games-to-1

Maple Leafs record

Season	GP	W	L	T/OTL	SOL	GF	GA	Pts	Finish	Playoffs
1966-67	32	11	15	6	-	128	146	28	4th AJHL
1969-70	50	23	20	7	-	215	217	53	4th AJHL
1970-71	50	24	21	5	-	241	222	53	4th AJHL
1971-72	48	16	29	3	-	192	231	35	5th AJHL

Playoffs

• 1971 Lost semi-final

Lethbridge Sugar Kings defeated Edmonton Maple Leafs 4-games-to-none

• 1972 Lost semi-final

Calgary Canucks defeated Edmonton Maple Leafs 4-games-to-3

See also

• List of ice hockey teams in Alberta

References

• AJHL History
• AJHL Annual Guide and Record Book 2006-07

Notes

1. "Western Moving and Storage". western-moving.com. Retrieved 2022-11-12.
2. Saints give up on St. Albert, St. Albert Gazette, April 17, 2004.