The Rustlers joined the AJHL in 1967 on the orders of the Alberta Amateur Hockey Association, which blocked their attempt at joining the Western Canada Hockey League as an expansion team.

[1] The Rustlers would quickly rise to the top of the AJHL, capturing four league titles in five years between 1970 and 1974.

In 1971, they captured the first Centennial Trophy as Canadian Junior A national champions.

Among them were all six members of the Sutter family to play in the NHL: Brian, Darryl, Duane, Brent, Ron and Rich.

[5] The team remained suspended until 1992 when it officially folded, making room for the Red Deer Rebels, as the central Alberta city finally joined the WHL.