St. Albert is a city in Alberta, located northwest of Edmonton, on the Sturgeon River. It was originally settled as a French-Catholic community, and is now an affluent, predominantly white suburb of Edmonton.

In 2004, the team's Alberta Junior Hockey League team, the St. Albert Saints , which had been one of the most prestigious teams in the league during its life and produced players such as Mark Messier and Mike Comrie , moved to nearby Spruce Grove. This move, allegedly due to the age and small size of Akinsdale Arena , caused some consternation amongst the citizens. Despite a brief effort from fans to save the team, in August 2004 the newly re-named Spruce Grove Saints played their first game in Spruce Grove's Grant Fuhr Arena .

Famous NHL hockey star Jarome Iginla, captain of the Calgary Flames, is from St. Albert.

Demographics (according to Statistics Canada 2001 census)

• Population: 53,081
• Growth rate (1996-2001): 13.2%
• Total private dwellings: 18638
• Area: 34.61 sq. km.
• Density: 1533.7 people per sq. km.

Mayor: Paul Chalifoux

Surrounding municipalities:

Edmonton, Alberta
Sturgeon Municipal District, Alberta

External links

• City of St. Albert site