The Blackfalds Bulldogs is a Junior ice hockey team that plays in the Alberta Division of the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) based in Blackfalds, Alberta, Canada. Their inaugural season in Blackfalds was in 2021–22.[1] The team is owned by Doug Quinn and Jodie Quinn.[2] The team plays at the Eagle Builders Centre in Blackfalds. The team left the AJHL to join the BCHL midway through the 2023–24 season.
| Blackfalds Bulldogs | |
|---|---|
 | |
| City | Blackfalds, Alberta |
| League | British Columbia Hockey League |
| Founded | 2021 |
| Home arena | Eagle Builders Centre |
| Colours | Black, White, Grey, Tan |
| Owner(s) | Doug Quinn, Jodie Quinn |
| President | Doug Quinn |
| General manager | Al Parada |
| Head coach | Doug Quinn |
| Website | blackfaldsbulldogs bulldogsclub |
| Franchise history | |
| 1972–1976 | The Pass Red Devils |
| 1976–1978 | Pincher Creek Panthers |
| 1978–1979 | Calgary Chinooks |
| 1979–1990 | Calgary Spurs |
| 1990–2010 | Calgary Royals |
| 2010–2019 | Calgary Mustangs |
| 2021–present | Blackfalds Bulldogs |
History
editAfter several seasons of struggling financially, the Calgary Mustangs of the AJHL commenced negotiations to relocate its franchise to Strathmore.[3] After the relocation deal fell through, the team requested a leave of absence from the AJHL for the 2019–20 season.[3] The AJHL approved the request in May 2019, allowing the Calgary Mustangs to explore either a more viable future in Calgary or a relocation.[4] A few months later, the AJHL approved the purchase of the Mustangs by Doug Quinn, a businessman from Red Deer, and the relocation of the franchise to Blackfalds to begin to play in the 2021–22 season.[5] The franchise announced its team name, the Blackfalds Bulldogs, in April 2020.[1]
On January 20, 2024, it was announced that the team, along with four other AJHL teams, would join the BCHL in the 2024-2025 season.[6] The AJHL responded to the announcement by cancelling most of the five teams' remaining scheduled matches except those between each other. It was then decided that the five Alberta-based teams would play out the rest of the 2023-24 season as a separate division under the aegis of the BCHL.[7][8]
Team firsts
edit- The new arena in Blackfalds (the Eagle Builders Centre) was not completed in time for the start of the 2021-22 season. Instead games in the exhibition season and the first part of the regular season were held in alternate locations around Alberta.[9] These alternate Bulldogs’ home game locations included Bonnyville, Stettler, Lacombe, Penhold, and Red Deer.
- The very first regular-season game for the Bulldogs was a 17-0 blowout at the hands of the Brooks Bandits on Sep. 17, 2021, in Brooks, AB. The first game at home in the Eagle Builders Centre for the Bulldogs was on Oct. 19, 2021, in a 4-2 win over the Calgary Canucks.
- The first-ever AJHL goal scored by a member of the Blackfalds Bulldogs occurred in an exhibition game on Sep. 1, 2021, and was credited to Jayden Joly (2:08 of the 1st period, shorthanded, assisted by Ty McRuvie and Kai Matthew). The first regular-season goal scored for the Blackfalds Bulldogs was on Sep. 18, 2021, when Jayden Joly's shot found the back of the net (18:47 of the first period, powerplay goal, assists to Ethan Lund and Kyle Uganecz). The first home regular-season goal in the newly completed Eagle Builders Centre was on Nov 19, 2021, and was scored by Carter Yarish (shorthanded, assisted by Jace Benvie) at 5:56 of the first period.
- On Dec 31, 2021, the Bulldogs debuted their alternate 3rd, a tan-colored “B” with a spiked collar underneath, at a home game against the Brooks Bandits. It was again worn in a Jan 21, 2022, home game against the Olds Grizzlys. On Feb 18, 2022, the Bulldogs debuted their 'Pink Power' jerseys, a pink version of their alternate 3rd jersey, at a home game against the Bonnyville Pontiacs. It was again worn on Feb. 23, 2022 in a home game against the Camrose Kodiaks.
Season-by-season record
editFor previous teams' records, see Calgary Mustangs.
Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, OTL = Overtime Losses, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against, Pts = Points
Alberta Junior Hockey League
edit| Season | GP | W | L | T | OTL | GF | GA | Pts | Finish | Playoffs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021–22 | 60 | 28 | 31 | 0 | 1 | 189 | 236 | 57 | 5th of 8, South 11th of 16, AJHL |
Lost 1st round, 4-0 (Oilers) |
| 2022–23 | 60 | 39 | 18 | 0 | 1 | 252 | 174 | 81 | 2nd of 8, South 3rd of 16, AJHL |
Won 1st round, 4-1 (Canucks) Won 2nd round, 4-3 (Dragons) Lost 3rd round, 4-0 (Bandits) |
| 2023–24 | 48 | 30 | 15 | 0 | 2 | 193 | 153 | 63 | Did not complete season | Did not qualify |
British Columbia Junior Hockey League
edit| Season | GP | W | L | T | OTL | GF | GA | Pts | Finish | Playoffs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023–24 | 20 | 9 | 7 | 0 | 3 | 68 | 81 | 22 | 3rd of 5, Alberta | Lost 1st round, 4-0 (Crusaders) |
Team records
edit| Statistic[10] | Player | Season | Record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Games Played (Season) | Brett Meerman | 2021-22 | 60 |
| Points (Season) | Brett Meerman | 2022-23 | 94 |
| PPG (Season) | Tyler Wallace | 2022-23 | 19 |
| SHG (Season) | Jason Siedem | 2021-22 | 4 |
| GWG (Season) | Tyler Wallace | 2022-23 | 7 |
| PIM (Season) | Kody Willick | 2022-23 | 78 |
| Wins (Season) | Lucas Massie | 2021-22 | 15 |
| Goalie Points (Season) | Lucas Massie | 2021-22 | 2 |
| SO (Season) | Brock Lott | 2021-22 | 1 |
| Mins (Season) | Lucas Massie | 2021-22 | 1954 |
| GAA (Season, min 10 games) | Lucas Massie | 2021-22 | 3.38 |
| Saves (Season) | Lucas Massie | 2021-22 | 898 |
| SV% (Season, min 10 games) | Lucas Massie | 2021-22 | 0.891 |
Coaches
editUpdated March 3, 2022
- Doug Quinn (Head Coach)
- Al Parada (Asst. Coach)
- Mike Moller (Asst. Coach)
- Pete Friestadt (Goalie Coach)
- Masi Marjamaki (Skills Coach)
- Mike Elchuk (Athletic Therapist and Equipment Manager)
- Brady Bakke (Assoc. Coach)
- Rob Hamill (Assoc. Coach)
Business operations
editUpdated March 3, 2022
- Mark Stiles (VP Business Operations)
- Michelle Brown (Community Relations)
- Braden Malsbury (Broadcaster)
- Katie Bradley (Game Day Supervisor)
- Josh Hall (Team Writer)
- David Leonard (Governor)
Hockey operations
editUpdated March 3, 2022
- Doug Quinn (Head Coach)
- Al Parada (Asst. Coach)
- Adam West (Asst. GM)
- Dr. Guy Tetrault (Academic Advisor)
Board of directors
editUpdated March 3, 2022
- Duston Moore (Executive Director)
- Gordon Mathers
- Kevin Walsh
- Myles Peake
- Vern Crone
Game day action photographers
edit| Season[13] | Lead Photographer | Photographer | Apprentice |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021-22 | Robert Raincock | Shawn Cruikshank | Jordin Downey |
| 2022-23 | Xander Holcomb | - - - | Madison Fox |
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b Byron Hackett (April 30, 2020). "Lots of work to do for Blackfalds Bulldogs ahead of 2021-22 AJHL season". Red Deer Advocate. Black Press Media. Retrieved April 30, 2020.
- ^ "Doug & Jodie".
- ^ a b Rumbolt, Ryan (May 5, 2019). "Calgary Mustangs hockey club plans 'leave of absence' from AJHL next season". Calgary Sun. Retrieved May 26, 2020.
- ^ "Calgary Mustangs Granted Leave of Absence for 2019-2020 Season" (Press release). AJHL. May 18, 2019. Retrieved May 26, 2020.
- ^ Dave Dormer (October 23, 2019). "AJHL approves move of Calgary Mustangs hockey club to Blackfalds". CTV News. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
- ^ "BCHL agrees to terms with five Alberta-based teams". bchl.ca (Press release). 20 January 2024. Retrieved 20 January 2024.
- ^ "BCHL announces finalized franchise agreements and integration with five Alberta-based teams". bchl.ca (Press release). British Columbia Hockey League. February 2024. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
- ^ Gustafson, Ian (10 February 2024). "Blackfalds Bulldogs speak out on decision to join BCHL". Red Deer Advocate. Black Press Media. Retrieved 5 October 2024.
- ^ "AJHL | Schedule & Results". www.ajhl.ca.
- ^ "AJHL | Blackfalds Bulldogs".
- ^ a b c "Business/Hockey Operations & Coaching Staff". 31 May 2024.
- ^ "Bulldogs Foundation, Executives & Board of Directors". 31 May 2024.
- ^ "RHCphoto". RHCphoto.