The Drumheller Dragons organization is turning back the pages of time to honor the Junior hockey legacy that came before them in the Valley. This January, the Dragons will dawn the purple and gold of the Drumheller Falcons, the original AJHL franchise to play in Drumheller. The Falcons joined the AJHL in the 1971?72 season as the league’s seventh team after acquiring the assets of the Ponoka Stampeders franchise that ceased operations after the 1969?70 season.
The Falcons had their best season in 1974-75. They finished second overall during the regular season, advanced through the post season to the AJHL finals, going the full seven games before losing the championship to the Spruce Grove Mets, who would go on to win that year’s Centennial Cup as the best Junior A hockey team in Canada, with no other challenger good enough to take them to a full 7-game series. The Falcons would struggle with attendance the following season, then took a three-year leave of absence.
The Falcons returned in 1979, however were consistently overmatched, winning just 29 games total between 1979 and 1983. The Falcons folded midway through the 1982-83 season. Four Falcons alumni went on to play in the National Hockey League: Merlin Malinowski, Jim Nill, Bryan Maxwell and John Hilworth.
The Dragons will be hosting a former Falcons opponent- the Calgary Cancuks on Friday, January 17th -7:30pm at the Memorial Arena. This game will be a night dedicated to the former Falcons players and staff who helped pave the way for Jr.A Hockey in the Valley. A special pre-game ceremony with numerous alumni will kick-off the evening. A mingler prior to the game on the Dragons patio will also serve as a chance for the community to visit some familiar faces!
We are still looking for Falcons Alumni contact info- please contact dustin@drumhellerdragons.ca for more info
