Calgary Oval X-Treme

Lore & Background

The Oval X-Treme were founded in 1995 as an amateur team, quickly developing a heated rivalry with the Edmonton Chimos. In 2002, both teams were approached to join the National Women's Hockey League, forming the West division alongside the Vancouver Griffins. After the 2003–04 season, during which the Oval X-Treme and Chimos faced only each other due to prohibitive travel costs to the East, the two franchises left the NWHL to help form the five-team Western Women's Hockey League in 2004. In 2006, the NWHL and WWHL attempted a reunion under the NWHL banner, but the merger was not consummated because the leagues could not agree on a playoff schedule. With the collapse of the NWHL in summer 2007, the WWHL became independent again. The Oval X-Treme suspended activities for the 2009–10 season.

Reader's Guide

The Calgary Oval X-Treme were a powerhouse in women's hockey, largely because the Canada national team was based in Calgary, drawing top players such as Hayley Wickenheiser, Danielle Goyette, and Cassie Campbell. The team won five consecutive league championships and posted a remarkable regular-season record of 95-3-2-1 over its last five seasons. Gina Kingsbury joined in 2006 and recorded 31 points in 19 games as the team won the Esso Women's National Championship; the following season she scored 45 points in 23 games. The Oval X-Treme won the Abby Hoffman Cup as Canadian champions four times (1997–98, 2000–01, 2002–03, 2006–07). Their rivalry with the Edmonton Chimos was a defining feature of women's hockey in western Canada. The team's suspension of activities in 2009 marked the end of a dominant era.

Did You Know?

• They won five consecutive WWHL regular season titles from 2004–05 to 2008–09.
• Gina Kingsbury had 31 points in 19 games during the 2006–07 season, helping the team win the Esso Women's National Championship.