Sports in Calgary
From Calgarypedia
Contents |
Overview
Calgary isn’t just for cowboys – the recreation possibilities are limitless. This Canadian city is home to 64 golf courses, six ski resorts, four professional sports teams, and several amateur sports teams and social clubs.
Golfing
Main Article: Golf in Calgary
Golf is the favorite activity for many Calgarians. There are numerous golf courses in and around the city. Golf courses in Calgary fall into two categories: public, city-run courses and the privately owned courses, which may be public, semi-private or private.
Skiing
Main Article: Skiing in Calgary
There are several world-class ski resorts within a few hours drive of Calgary. Lake Louise Mountain Resort, Sunshine Village, Mount Norquay and Nakiska are the four prominent ski areas to the west. Within the city, Canada Olympic Park, built for the 1988 Olympic Games, offers skiers and snowboarders a place to hone their skills without leaving the city limits.
Professional Sports
Calgary Flames
The Calgary Flames are a professional ice hockey team in the National Hockey League (NHL). Their home arena is the Pengrowth Saddledome, one of the best entertainment facilities in North America.
In the span of 24 years, the Flames have become one of the premier franchises in the NHL. The pinnacle of their storied history was being crowned Stanley Cup champions in the 1988-89 season.
Fans enjoy live games at the Saddledome, or on broadcast television at many venues along 17th Avenue SW (otherwise known as the Red Mile), as well as Flames Central, a team-owned sports bar and entertainment center on Stephen Avenue in downtown Calgary.
The Flames have supported various initiatives such as the fight against hunger, homelessness and aided in increasing literacy.
Calgary Roughnecks
The Calgary Roughnecks, also affectionately known as the Riggers, are a member of the National Lacrosse League (NLL). They arrived in Calgary in 2000 and, four years later, claimed their first Champions’ Cup.
The Roughnecks have steadily improved their record each year, hosting the NLL’s All-Star game in February 2005. In this game, the world’s best indoor lacrosse players took part in a West versus East battle.
Calgary Stampeders
The Calgary Stampeders are a Canadian Football League (CFL) team who celebrated their 60th year of operations in 2005. They have brought the Grey Cup home to Calgary five times, most recently in 2001. They have been runner-up six times.
The Stampeders play their home games at McMahon Stadium.
Calgary Vipers
The Calgary Vipers are a professional baseball team in the Northern Division of the Golden Baseball League. They play in the Foothills Stadium. From 2005 to 2007, the Vipers played in the Northern League in Southern Alberta.
Amateur Sports
Calgary Hitmen
The Calgary Hitmen are a junior ice hockey team in the Western Hockey League (WHL). Owned by the Calgary Flames, they play their home games at the Pengrowth Saddledome. Their name comes from the local-born wrestler Bret "The Hitman" Hart, a founding patron.
The Hitmen have finished twice with the best WHL record and have qualified for the playoffs every season since 1998. Twenty-one former Hitmen players have gone on to play in the National Hockey League.
Calgary Canucks
The Calgary Canucks are a junior hockey team in the Alberta Junior Hockey League. They play at the Max Bell Centre.
Calgary Royals
The Calgary Jr. "A" Royals are an ice hockey team in the Alberta Junior Hockey League. They play at the Father David Bauer Olympic Arena.
Calgary Oval X-Treme
The Calgary Oval X-Treme are an ice hockey team in the Western Women’s Hockey League.
Calgary Sport and Social Club
The Calgary Sport and Social Club is Calgary’s largest co-ed sports league provider. Their goal is to provide the best sport and social experience in Calgary through year-round leagues, tournaments and parties. There are no membership fees to participate.
External Links / Sources
Professional Sports Teams at Calgary Economic Development
Sports, Calgary at relocatecanada.com
