Forty years ago, the host of the 1980 CCAA National Hockey Championship became the first of five teams to win back to back titles.

Following an 11-4 victory over the SAIT Trojans in the gold medal contest of the 1979 CCAA National Hockey Championship, the Red Deer College Kings responded with a record of 20 wins, 3 losses, and one tie during the 1979-80 campaign. RDC led the way at the Christmas break with a record of 10 wins, 2 losses, and 1 tie.

In one best of three ACAC semi final series, the Red Deer College Kings met the Camrose Lutheran College Vikings. The Kings scored six goals in the second period en route to a 9-2 home victory over the Vikings. Bill Wilkins then tallied twice as Red Deer swept the series with a 5-2 road triumph.

In the other best of three ACAC semi final series, the SAIT Trojans faced the NAIT Ooks. Dennis Connelly, Gord Pattison and Jamie Hodgins each tallied twice as SAIT rolled to a-9-1 victory in Edmonton. The Trojans wrapped up the series with a 10-6 win as Lyle Stokotelny completed the hat trick and Kim Hilkewich added a pair.

RDC and SAIT squared off in the best of five ACAC championship final affair. Red Deer squandered a 3-0 lead and trailed 4-3 before recording a 5-4 overtime win at home in the series opener. The Kings then doubled the Trojans 4-2 in Calgary as six different players scored. Facing elimination, SAIT prolonged the series with a 10-5 win. Gord Pattison paced the Trojans with four goals while Lyle Stokotelny added three more. RDC responded with seven first period goals en route to a 10-3 victory. Ron Parent and Mark Von Hagen each tallied twice in the contest for the Kings.

RDC then travelled to Winnipeg for the 4 West Championships. Mark Von Hagen and Ron Parent each tallied twice for the Kings in a 10-3 victory over the Assiniboine College Cougars. In the gold medal contest, George Wright and Ron Kulych scored two goals each while Mark Von Hagen and Scott Hucal were out with injuries as Red Deer rolled to a 10-3 win over the Red River College Rebels.

The defending national champions then returned to Red Deer to host the 1980 CCAA National Hockey Championship.

In the round robin portion of the tournament, the Alberta teams showed strength. The Kings thumped the College of Cape Breton Capers 12-2. Ron Parent led the way with four goals. Bruce Young bent the twine thrice and Rick Odegard added two more. The Trojans outscored the Briercrest Bible Institute Clippers 11-6. Stu Meyers, Dennis Connelly, Gord Pattison, and Bob Deschamps each tallied twice in the contest.

In the semi finals, both Alberta teams came out on top. Jamie Hodgins notched three goals to pace the Trojans to a 9-1 victory over the Seneca College Braves. The Kings outscored the College of Cape Breton Capers 12-2 after leading 3-1 following 20 minutes.

In the bronze medal contest, Seneca outscored Briercrest 12-7 as Brett Kelleher completed the hat trick for the Braves and Rob Halko chipped in a pair for the Clippers.

In the gold medal finale, the Alvin Szott scored five goals including one on a penalty shot as the Kings rolled to a 14-1 victory over the SAIT Trojans. Rob Dyck and Bruce Small each tallied twice while Dave Tietzen, Warren Bell, Brad Helfrich, George Wright and Ron Kulych added singles.

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