List of ice hockey teams in Alberta Since hockey was introduced to Alberta in the 1890s , teams at all levels have come and gone . While the professional ranks have been confined to the major cities of Calgary and Edmonton , partially due to geographical isolation from the major eastern and pacific coast centres , junior and senior teams have thrived across the province . < onlyinclude > Alberta is currently home to two National Hockey League teams , five Western Hockey League teams , the 16 team Alberta Junior Hockey League , as well as five Junior B hockey leagues comprising over 50 teams . The National Women ' s Hockey League is represented in Alberta , as are teams competing at the senior , university and college ranks . < / onlyinclude > This list does not include teams below the junior age group , or adult teams below Senior AAA . < onlyinclude > Major Professional . National Hockey League . The Edmonton Oilers became the first National Hockey League team in Alberta as they were absorbed by the NHL when the WHA folded . The Calgary Flames arrived from Atlanta , Georgia the following year . Western Canada Hockey League . The Western Canada Hockey League was the first major - professional league on the prairies . Founded in 1921 , it collapsed due to escalating costs in 1926 , and was reformed as the Prairie Hockey League from 1926 - 28 . < nowiki > * < / nowiki > Includes 1926 - 27 championship after league was renamed the " Prairie Hockey League " . < / onlyinclude > World Hockey Association . The World Hockey Association had envisioned that franchises in Calgary and Edmonton would create an effective rivalry . When the Calgary Broncos were unable to start their inaugural season , the Oilers were briefly renamed the Alberta Oilers with the intention of splitting games between the two cities . This plan also failed to materialize . Minor Professional . American Hockey League . The Edmonton Oilers brought their American Hockey League franchise to the Alberta capital during the 2004 - 05 NHL lockout season . The team was suspended following the resumption of the NHL , and remains suspended . Western Hockey League . The professional Western Hockey League was formed following a merger with the Pacific Coast Hockey League and the Western Canada Senior Hockey League . Both Alberta franchises lost their amateur status when they joined the new league . Junior . Western Hockey League . The Major - Junior Western Hockey League was formed in 1966 to strengthen junior hockey in the west . The Calgary Buffaloes were the only expansion team , as the other six founding members defected from existing leagues . Current teams Former teams < nowiki > * < / nowiki > The Oil Kings ' two Memorial Cups predate the WHL . Alberta Junior Hockey League . The Junior A Alberta Junior Hockey League was founded to improve the level of junior hockey in Alberta , motivated by the dominance of the Edmonton Oil Kings in the early 1960s . WHA Junior West Hockey League . The WHA Junior West Hockey League was founded in 2006 in British Columbia and Washington . It expanded into Alberta in 2007 . It is considered a " rebel " league by Hockey Canada . As such its players and officials are not allowed to participate in Hockey Canada sanctioned leagues in the same season as they participate in the WHA . In order to combat this , the WHA has aligned itself with the Greater Metro Junior A Hockey League in Ontario in a body called the National Junior Hockey Alliance . Semi - professional , senior and amateur . Western Women ' s Hockey League . Both of Alberta ' s elite women ' s teams were invited to join the National Women ' s Hockey League in 2002 . In 2004 , they broke away to form the Western Women ' s Hockey League due to the lack of competition in the west . They returned to the NWHL fold in 2006 following a merger between the two leagues . However , due to circumstances arising over scheduling between the WWHL and the NWHL , the merger was never officially consummated . This coupled with the collapse of the NWHL in 2007 , left the Oval X - Treme and Chimos as members of the WWHL . Senior . Several teams from Alberta have gone on to capture the Allan Cup , Canada ' s national senior championship .