Calgary Spurs

The Calgary Spurs were a junior hockey team with two distinct iterations, representing different eras of hockey in Alberta. The first version of the team played in the Western Canada Senior Hockey League (WCSHL) from 1965 to 1968, a competitive senior league that featured skilled players from across Western Canada. This original iteration of the Spurs was short-lived, folding after just three seasons and not having considerable success on the ice.

The more well-known version of the Calgary Spurs started in 1979 as a member of the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL). This iteration of the team became a constant fixture in Calgary’s junior hockey scene throughout the 1980s. The Spurs had their best season by record during the 1981-82 season, posting an impressive 49-9-2 record, making it their most successful campaign in the AJHL.

The Spurs also had a few players come through their ranks that would make it to the big show. Among the notable alums were Dana Murzyn, who played over 800 NHL games and won a Stanley Cup with the Calgary Flames; Bob Bassen, who had a lengthy NHL career as a centre; and Len Barrie, who carved out a role in the NHL as a forward and later became part owner of the Lightning

Unfortunately, like many junior hockey teams of the era, the Calgary Spurs struggled with financial stability. Despite their on-ice success and the development of talented players, the team was forced to fold in 1990 due to financial difficulties.