Red Deer Vipers celebrating 40 years
Published 1:01 pm Wednesday, September 30, 2026
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The Red Deer Vipers have been developing young hockey players in Central Alberta for four decades.
The Heritage Junior Hockey League, founded in 1986, is currently celebrating its 40th season. As a founding member, the Vipers are also celebrating 40 years.
“It’s exciting to be celebrating 40 years. We’ve got some plans (to celebrate the milestone) that we’ll be announcing soon,” said Brady Sim, Vipers director of hockey operations.
The club was first known as the Red Deer Cowboys, before later becoming the Vipers.
The Vipers were HJHL champions in 1989, 1999, 2004, 2017 and 2018. The team also won provincial titles in 2004 and 2006, and was the first HJHL team to win the Keystone Cup in 2006. (The Keystone Cup features the top Junior B hockey teams in Western Canada.)
Sim said the team has an active alumni network. For the 40th season celebration, the team is inviting all former players to reach out and reconnect with the club. For more information, visit www.reddeervipers.com.
Last season the Vipers finished first in the North Division with a 26-8-2-0-1 record. The Vipers lost in the league finals to the Medicine Hat Cubs.
Sim said the team’s goal this season is to win the league championship and then move on to provincials, which will be played in Didsbury. Sim said also he hopes to see the team compete for a second Keystone Cup.
Bob Rutz is team’s new head coach. He spent last season as bench boss of the U18 AAA Red Deer Chiefs.
The Vipers opened their season with a dominant 7-2 road victory over the Okotoks Bisons on Sept. 25. Red Deer followed that up with a 3-2 home loss against the Strathmore Wheatland Kings the following day.
The Vipers will head to High River for a game against the Flyers Oct. 2. That will be followed by a Red Deer home game against Sylvan Lake on Oct. 3.
“One thing we want from the public is for them to come check out a game. People who come watch our product for the first time always come back. It’s high-quality hockey,” said Sim.