Lacombe Generals

The Lacombe Generals were a Senior AAA ice hockey team from Lacombe, Alberta, Canada that played in the Chinook Hockey League. The Generals are four-time national champions, having won the Allan Cup in 2009 and 2016 in Steinbach, Manitoba, and in 2013 in Red Deer, Alberta and in Lacombe, Alberta 2019.[2][3][4] The club, resurrected by proud Bentley boy Travis “Trapper” Stephenson was formerly known as the Bentley Generals from 1999–2016, and played out of the Bentley Arena in Bentley, Alberta, as well as the Red Deer Arena. The team folded in 2019 due to concerns with the organization of senior hockey in Canada.

Lacombe Generals
CityLacombe, Alberta
LeagueAllan Cup Hockey West
Operated1999–2019
Home arenaGary Moe Auto Group Sportsplex
ColoursBrown, Blue, Black
     
General managerCanada Jeff McInnis
Head coachCanada Sean Robertson[1]
CaptainCanada Don Morrison
WebsiteGeneralshockey.ca
Franchise history
1999–2016Bentley Generals
2016–2019Lacombe Generals

History

The Bentley Generals hockey club was formed in 1999 and began play in the Chinook Hockey League. The team won its first provincial senior 'A' title in 2001. The following year, the Generals registered as an 'AAA' club and competed in the Allan Cup playdowns for the first time. Former NHLer Kelly Buchberger was a member of the Generals in 2005, while the team also attempted to play Ryan Smyth during the 2004–05 NHL lockout, though Smyth was ruled ineligible to play.[5][6]

The Generals, coached by former National Hockey League player and coach Brian Sutter, qualified for the Allan Cup for the first time in 2007.[7]

In 2009, the Generals, once again coached by Sutter, won their first Allan Cup with a 4-3 win in double overtime over Manitoba's Southeast Prairie Thunder. In 2013, the Generals hosted the Allan Cup in Red Deer, Alberta and captured their second title by defeating Newfoundland's Clarenville Caribous 3-0 in the championship game. The Generals returned to Steinbach in 2016 and defeated the host Prairie Thunder again by a score of 4-3 in overtime to win their third Allan Cup. In 2019, the Generals won their fourth Allan Cup defeating the Innisfail Eagles 5-2 in the final game. The Generals have been Allan Cup finalist six other times: 2008, 2010, 2011, 2015, 2017, and 2018.[8]

In December 2015 it was announced that the Generals were relocating to Lacombe, Alberta for the 2016–17 season, citing a drop in attendance as a reason for the move.[9] The partnership with the City of Lacombe was made official in the summer of 2016.[10] The Generals played in the newly renovated Gary Moe Auto Group Sportsplex in the Can Pak Ice Complex, formerly known as the Barnett Arenas.[10]

The move wasn't the only change the Generals would make for the 2016–17 season. In July 2016 it was announced head coach Ryan Tobler would be stepping down to work as an assistant coach with the ECHL's Colorado Eagles. In August 2016, it was announced longtime Generals player Curtis Austring would be Tobler's successor.[11]

After hosting, and winning, the Allan Cup in 2019, the Generals announced they would cease operations. The reasons given cited concerns with the organization of Allan Cup Hockey West, the league they belonged to: several teams had withdrawn recently making it difficult to sustain play.[12]

Season-by-season record (Regular season)

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

SeasonGPWLTOTLGFGAPResultsPlayoffsProvincialsAllan Cup
2000–012411130-114107224th ChHL
2001–02241680-12590322nd ChHL
2002–03242040-18360402nd ChHL
2003–04282341-18179472nd ChHL
2004–05241932-16567401st ChHL
2005–0624211-212342441st ChHL
2006–0724203-116363411st ChHL
2007–0820155-011556302nd ChHL
2008–0924231-015951461st ChHLChampionChampionChampion
2009–1020191-011249381st ChHLChampionChampionFinal Loss
2010–1120191-011742381st ChHLChampionChampionFinal Loss
2011–1224168-011060322nd ChHLChampionSemi Final LossDNQ
2012–1316151-09431301st ChHLChampionChampionChampion
2013-1424213-011153421st ChHLChampionChampionSemi Final Loss
2014–1524231-012839461st ChHLChampionChampionFinal Loss
2015–1618143-18443291st ChHLChampionChampionChampion
2016–1722193-011669381st ChHLChampionChampionFinal Loss
2017–1824184-211566382nd ACHWChampionChampionFinal Loss
2018–1918106-26957221st ACHWChampionChampionChampion
Total42634273382,384 (5.60/gm)1,124 (2.64/gm).81512x 1st12x4x

Allan Cup Championships = 4 (2009, 2013, 2016, 2019)
Allan Cup Finals = 10 (2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019)
Allan Cup Appearances = 13 (2004, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019)

NHL alumni

References
  1. "Longtime General named team's new head coach | Lacombe Globe". Archived from the original on August 13, 2016. Retrieved October 3, 2016.
  2. April 20, Brice Roy/Globe Staff More from Brice Roy/Globe Staff Published on; April 20, 2013 | Last Updated; Edt, 2013 10:38 Pm (April 21, 2013). "Bentley Generals make Allan Cup history".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  3. "Bentley Generals win Allan Cup". www.hockeycanada.ca.
  4. Milton, Steve (April 15, 2014). "Opinion | Allan Cup: Real McCoys beat Bentley to move to semifinals". The Hamilton Spectator – via www.thespec.com.
  5. Van Diest, Derek (December 11, 2005). "Senior hockey caters to former junior, pro players". Edmonton Sun. Retrieved April 9, 2008.
  6. "Bentley Generals History". bentleygenerals.ca. Archived from the original on April 27, 2014. Retrieved April 21, 2013.
  7. Tychkowski, Robert (April 18, 2007). "Sutter shows the way". Edmonton Sun. Retrieved April 9, 2008.
  8. "Coaches | Red Deer College". Archived from the original on March 21, 2015. Retrieved March 15, 2015.
  9. "Lacombe Express - Bentley Generals set to move to Lacombe". December 17, 2015. Retrieved October 3, 2016.
  10. "Gary Moe Auto Group becomes official sponsor of sports complex". Lacombe Globe. Lacombe Globe. June 29, 2016. Archived from the original on December 22, 2016. Retrieved October 3, 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  11. nurun.com. "Longtime General named team's new head coach". Lacombe Globe. Retrieved October 3, 2016.
  12. Vaughan, Todd (May 28, 2019). "Lacombe Generals withdraw from ACHW and cease operations". Lacombe Express. Retrieved July 5, 2020.
  13. Maki, Allan (April 14, 2013). "Bentley Generals set to begin quest for Allan Cup glory". The Globe and Mail.
  14. Blood, Sweat and Beers Archived March 13, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
  15. "Legends of Hockey -- NHL Player Search -- Player -- Peter Vandermeer". www.legendsofhockey.net.
  16. "Craig Weller Stats and News". NHL.com.
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