‘Have we reached peak hockey in Calgary?’: Wranglers to share Saddledome with Flames, Hitmen

Calgary’s newest professional sports team, the AHL’s Calgary Wranglers, are gearing up for their first season in the city.

The Wranglers are set to play 36 regular season games at the Saddledome this season, joining the Calgary Flames, Hitmen, and Roughnecks for a combined 118 dates.

According to Mount Royal University professor of health and physical education David Legg, there are now several options for fans to watch a hockey at a high level in Calgary.

“Have we reached peak hockey in Calgary?” Legg said. “I mean we have the Inferno, Mount Royal University, University of Calgary, SAIT and the ACAC, two AJHL teams, Flames, the Hitmen.”

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Legg acknowledges there might be an untapped demand for fans to watch professional hockey more frequently in the city.

“I think there’s perhaps a market there that wasn’t being fulfilled by all those other teams,” Legg explained. “So that mid-range, potentially lower price option.”

Legg adds the Flames having an exciting playoff run last season could spark interest in seeing the Wranglers play.

The team, which moved to Calgary from Stockton, hits the ice in October.

There’s no doubt that Calgary is a hockey town, and Mike Moore, executive vice president of the Wranglers, says the team offer a different entertainment experience than the Flames and Hitmen.

“The nice thing with the Wranglers is, now it allows Flames fans and hockey fans to watch a young group that is aspiring to be on the big team and give the fans an opportunity to watch their growth and development,” Moore said.

The Wranglers recently took to social media, asking for the public’s inspiration in wrangling a mascot.

We've made the move to #yyc but we are missing something … a mascot! Have an idea? Drop 'em in the replies! Bonus points if you include a name too! pic.twitter.com/NTC90r6wPC

— Calgary Wranglers (@AHLWranglers) August 8, 2022

News on ticket options and pricing will be available in the near future.