Lethbridge Broncos

Ice hockey team

Lethbridge Broncos

City| Lethbridge, Alberta
League| Western Hockey League
Operated| 1974 (1974)–1986
Home arena| Lethbridge Sportsplex
Franchise history
1967–74| Swift Current Broncos
1974–86| Lethbridge Broncos
1986–present| Swift Current Broncos

The Lethbridge Broncos were a junior ice hockey team in the Western Hockey League from 1974 until 1986. They played at the Lethbridge Sportsplex.

Division titles won: 1977–78, 1981–82
Regular season titles won: 1981–82
WHL Championships won: 1982–83
Memorial Cup Titles: None

## History

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The Broncos started out as the Swift Current Broncos in Swift Current, Saskatchewan, but moved to Lethbridge in 1974. The team had been losing money in Swift Current and the new Lethbridge Sportsplex was beckoning for a team. The Broncos played in Lethbridge for twelve seasons, winning the President's Cup in 1982–83. In the mid 1980s, the team came up for sale, and despite a large and loyal fanbase, the Broncos were bought by interests in Swift Current and moved back to their original home. Lethbridge was without WHL hockey for only one season however, as the Calgary Wranglers moved to the city, becoming the Lethbridge Hurricanes in 1987.

## Season-by-season record

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Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against

Season | GP  |  W  |  L  |  T  | GF  | GA  | Points | Finish | Playoffs

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1974–75 | 70 | 28 | 32 | 10 | 302 | 315 | 66 | 2nd East | Lost quarter-final
1975–76 | 72 | 28 | 35 | 9 | 293 | 352 | 65 | 3rd East | Lost quarter-final
1976–77 | 72 | 28 | 32 | 12 | 324 | 335 | 68 | 3rd Central | Lost semi-final
1977–78 | 72 | 36 | 29 | 7 | 341 | 328 | 79 | 1st Central | Eliminated in preliminary round robin
1978–79 | 72 | 37 | 28 | 7 | 389 | 326 | 81 | 2nd Central | Lost semi-final
1979–80 | 72 | 28 | 39 | 5 | 329 | 349 | 61 | 6th East | Lost in first round
1980–81 | 72 | 37 | 33 | 2 | 339 | 332 | 76 | 4th East | Lost East Division semi-final
1981–82 | 72 | 50 | 22 | 0 | 421 | 280 | 100 | 1st East | Lost East Division final
1982–83 | 72 | 38 | 31 | 3 | 284 | 271 | 79 | 5th East | Won Championship
1983–84 | 72 | 44 | 28 | 0 | 271 | 256 | 88 | 4th East | Lost in first round
1984–85 | 72 | 30 | 40 | 2 | 295 | 322 | 62 | 5th East | Lost in first round
1985–86 | 72 | 27 | 42 | 3 | 314 | 379 | 57 | 5th East | Eliminated in East Division round robin

## NHL alumni

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* Warren Babe
* Dave Barr
* Mike Berger
* Rollie Boutin
* Ron Delorme
* Gerald Diduck
* Archie Henderson
* Ian Herbers
* Matt Hervey
* Earl Ingarfield, Jr.
* Trent Kaese
* Troy Loney
* Marc Magnan
* Ryan McGill
* Mike Moller
* Randy Moller
* Jay More
* Doug Morrison
* Troy Murray
* Steve Nemeth
* Bill Oleschuk
* Darcy Regier
* Bob Rouse
* Lindy Ruff
* Rocky Saganiuk
* Joe Sakic
* Darin Sceviour
* Vern Smith
* Brent Sutter
* Brian Sutter
* Darryl Sutter
* Duane Sutter
* Rich Sutter
* Ron Sutter
* Steve Tambellini
* Alex Tidey
* Mark Tinordi
* Bryan Trottier
* Gord Williams
* Ken Wregget

## Head coaches

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* Mike Shabaga 1970–71
* Stan Dunn: 1970–71 to 1973–74
* Earl Ingarfield 1974–75 to 1975–76
* Mike Sauter 1976–77
* Howie Yanosik 1977–78
* Pat Ginnell 1978–79
* Mike Sauter 1979–80
* John Chapman 1980–81 to 1985–86
* Graham James 1985–86

## See also

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* List of ice hockey teams in Alberta

## References

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* 2005–06 WHL Guide

* v
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Defunct Western Hockey League teams

* Billings Bighorns
* Calgary Buffaloes / Centennials
* Calgary Wranglers
* Chilliwack Bruins
* Edmonton Ice
* Edmonton Oil Kings
* Estevan Bruins
* Flin Flon Bombers
* Great Falls Americans
* Kamloops Chiefs
* Kelowna Wings
* Kootenay Ice
* Lethbridge Broncos
* Moose Jaw Canucks
* Nanaimo Islanders
* New Westminster Bruins
* Spokane Flyers
* Tacoma Rockets
* Vancouver Nats
* Victoria Cougars
* Weyburn Red Wings
* Winnipeg Ice
* Winnipeg Jets / Clubs / Monarchs
* Winnipeg Warriors

CHL
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