Drumheller Falcons

Drumheller Falcons
CityDrumheller, Alberta
LeagueAlberta Junior Hockey League
DivisionSouth
Franchise history
1967-1970Ponoka Stampeders
1971-1983Drumheller Falcons

The Drumheller Falcons were a Junior A ice hockey team in the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) based in Drumheller, Alberta.

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 having lost every game they played that year. The Falcons still hold the record for longest losing streak spanning two seasons at 35; a record stopped only by the team's demise.

Four Falcons alumni went on to play in the National Hockey League: Merlin Malinowski, Jim Nill, Bryan Maxwell and John Hilworth.

Drumheller would not get a second chance in the AJHL until 2003, when the Drumheller Dragons were founded as an expansion team.