Alumni and History

CAC Retired Alumni as of 2018

CAC Active Alumni

History

CANADIAN ATHLETIC CLUB HISTORY

In 1937, a group of sports minded community league members recognized the need to give athletes from schools and community leagues a more competitive environment in which to develop their athletic talents. From this idea, the Canadian Athletic Club was formed.

The Canadian Athletic Club can reflect on many achievements over the past 74 years and we thank the group of gentlemen who formed our club and laid the foundation for a dynamic and premier athletic organization. The founding members were Ralph Blackmer and Bob Murdock.

Beginning in 1937, when we had one hockey team, the club has been involved in baseball, soccer, boxing and lacrosse.

Baseball:    From 1942 until 1963, baseball teams playing under the CAC banner competed in Bantam, Midget, Juvenile and Junior leagues in Edmonton.

Soccer:    In 1950, the Canadian Athletic Club organized a six team Midget soccer league. A Junior team competed in the city league.

Boxing:    In 1956, the Canadian Athletic Club along with the Jasper Place Boxing Club formed a boxing club with 24 boxers competing in various weight categories.

Lacrosse:    The club has assisted the West Edmonton Lacrosse Association by sponsoring a midget team.

Hockey: Beginning in 1937 with one team, the Canadian Athletic Club has offered a complete program from Bantam to Junior. The present program consists of two Bantam AA, one Bantam AAA, one REM-15, one Midget AA and one Midget Minor AAA and one Midget Major AAA. Over the years CAC teams have captured over 50 City and Provincial championships. During the 1950's and 1960's our club was affiliated with the Chicago Blackhawks and the Detroit Red Wings.

1971 - $55,000 was donated to Edmonton Parks and Recreation to assist with the installation of an artificial ice plant at Oliver.

1972 - $55,000 was donated to Edmonton Parks and Recreation to assist with the installation of an artificial ice plant at Crestwood Arena.

1981 - Negotiations completed this year to purchase the Sturgeon Hockey Arena, the present home to the Canadian Athletic Club.

1982 - Canadian Athletic Club Hockey School begins. George McKenzie was the founding chairman.

1983 - The (AA÷ Midget Tournament is named the Bill Kurucz Memorial, and evolves from an interchange between two Calgary and two CAC teams to a very well respected 12 team tournament.

1990 - The Kurucz Tournament is expanded to 16 teams. The Jim McAdie Scholarship Fund was inaugurated in May of this year. Open to all former CAC athletes.

2001 -  The Bill Kurucz Memorial Midget AA Tournament celebrates its 20th Anniversary.

2007 -  CAC celebrated its 70th anniversary.

2012 - CAC celebrated its 75th anniversary, hosted a home-coming of alumni in June, and prepared a commemorative table top book as part of the celebration.

2017 - CAC is celebrating it’s 80th Anniversary.

2018 - CAC included three Pewee AA (now U13 AA) teams for 10 teams in total (three AAA and seven AA).

2022 - Hockey Edmonton took over U18 AAA from the city clubs and CAC went down to two U13 AA teams. In 2022, the previous U16 AAA moved up to a U17 AAA team.

Updated Nov 16, 2023