Press Release
The Alberta Junior Hockey League is proud to announce the Top 50 AJHL Players of All-Time following months of online voting and over 5,000 votes cast. The Top 50 List includes ten players from each decade and is filled with NHL alumni, current NHL superstars and some of the biggest names in Canadian hockey history!
Forty-three players on the Top 50 List went on to play in the National Hockey League (NHL) following their AJHL careers. Eight have won the coveted Stanley Cup Trophy, including Mike Vernon, Lanny McDonald, Mark Messier and Steve Reinprecht. A total of nineteen AJHL Alumni have won the coveted Stanley Cup since 1980.
Thirteen current NHL players have been selected as members of the Top 50 AJHL Players of All-Time. Chris Phillips, Dany Heatley, Mason Raymond, Mark Letestu, Joe Colborne and Scottie Upshall are amongst the players in this category. Twenty AJHL alumni played in the NHL during the 2012-2013 season, including one player in the 2013 Stanley Cup Finals, who is also on the Top 50 List (Wade Redden).
The Top 50 AJHL Players of All-Time also reflects a strong tie to the league’s Alberta roots as four members of the Sutter family have earned their spots as one of the greatest players in AJHL history – Brian Sutter, Duane Sutter, Brent Sutter and Darryl Sutter. Three current NHL players on the Top 50 List are members of Alberta’s Calgary Flames and Edmonton Oilers. Current Fort McMurray Oil Barons Head Coach, Gord Thibodeau, has also secured a spot in the Top 50 for his time as a player in the league.
“The Alberta Junior Hockey League is proud to recognize this unique and diverse group of athletes as its’ Top 50 Players of All-Time and is honored to have contributed to their development and illustrious careers,” said League Commissioner and AJHL alumnus Ryan Bartoshyk. “These fifty players epitomize the opportunity available by competing in the AJHL and embody the spirit of our League.”
The Top 10 Players from each decade were determined through a series of online voting stages throughout the opening months of the 2013-2014 season. Fans were encouraged to vote based on the individual player’s achievements during their time in the Alberta Junior Hockey League and their accomplishments after graduating from the league.
Top 50 AJHL Players of All-Time:
2004 -2013
Mason Raymond, Camrose Kodiaks
Joe Colborne, Camrose Kodiaks
Matt Frattin, Fort Saskatchewan Traders
Corban Knight, Okotoks Oilers
T. J. Galiardi, Calgary Royals
Ben Scrivens, Spruce Grove Saints
Mark Letestu, Bonnyville Pontiacs
Dylan Olsen, Camrose Kodiaks
Justin Fontaine, Bonnyville Pontiacs
Taylor Fedun, Spruce Grove Saints
1994 – 2003
Dany Heatley, Calgary Canucks
Mike Comrie, St. Albert Saints
Curtis Glencross, Brooks Bandits
Rene Bourque, St. Albert Saints
Chris Phillips, Fort McMurray Oil Barons
Fernando Pisani St. Albert Saints
Mark Bomersback, Canmore Eagles
Scottie Upshall, Fort McMurray Oil Barons
Scott Hartnell, Lloydminster Blazers
Steve Reinprecht, St. Albert Saints
1984 – 1993
Zarley Zalapski, Fort Saskatchewan
Wade Redden, Lloydminster Blazers
Stu Barnes, St. Albert Saints
Gary Valk, Sherwood Park
Dixon Ward, Red Deer Rustlers
Brad Werenka, Fort Saskatchewan Traders
Garry Shuchuk, St. Albert Saints
Glen Wesley, Red Deer Rustlers
Gord Thibodeau, Fort Saskatchewan Traders
Corey Hirsch, Calgary Canucks
1974 - 1983
Brent Sutter Red Deer Rustlers
Mark Messier, Spruce Grove Mets
Darryl Sutter, Red Deer Rustlers
Duane Sutter, Red Deer Rustlers
Kelly Kisio, Red Deer Rustlers
Dave Babych, Fort Saskatchewan Traders
Clint Malarchuk, Fort Saskatchewan
Troy Murray, St. Albert Saints
Perry Berezan, St. Albert Saints
Mike Vernon, Calgary Canucks
1964 - 1973
Brian Sutter, Red Deer
Garry Unger, Calgary Buffaloes
Lanny McDonald, Lethbridge Sugar Kings
John Davidson, Lethbridge Sugar Kings
Stan Weir, Ponoka Stampeders
Paul Messier, Edmonton Mets
Doug Lindskog, Red Deer Rustlers
Tom Lindskog, Red Deer Rustlers
Rick Zaparniuk, Calgary Canucks
Darrell Knibbs Lethbridge Sugar Kings
The AJHL will celebrate its storied history across Alberta throughout the 2013-2014 season. Join the AJHL in celebrating history, volunteerism, community spirit and great Junior A hockey!
(Nathan can be reached at nathanfournier@mainehockeyjournal.com)
Monday, January 20, 2014
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