| Grande Prairie Storm | |
|---|---|
 | |
| City | Grande Prairie, Alberta |
| League | Alberta Junior Hockey League |
| Division | North |
| Founded | 1966[1] |
| Home arena | Bonnetts Energy Centre |
| Colours | Yellow, Navy blue, and White |
| General manager | Mark Bomersback |
| Head coach | Eric Thurston |
| Franchise history | |
| 1966–1972 | Grande Prairie Jr. Athletics |
| 1972–1989 | Grande Prairie North Stars |
| 1991–1995 | Grande Prairie Chiefs |
| 1995–present | Grande Prairie Storm |
The Grande Prairie Storm is a junior A ice hockey team in the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) based in Grande Prairie, Alberta, Canada, with home games at Bonnetts Energy Centre.
History
The organization was founded in 1966 as the Junior Athletics[1] as a member of the Peace Junior B Hockey League (PJHL). The team rebranded around 1972 as the Grande Prairie North Stars.[2] When the Quesnel Millionaires and Prince George Spruce Kings joined the league in 1975, the league became the Peace-Cariboo Junior Hockey League (PCJHL). In 1980, the league and teams were promoted to Junior A. The North Stars were financially struggling and sat out two seasons from 1989 to 1991. They came back as the Grande Prairie Chiefs in 1991, but the league had brought in teams from the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League and reformed as the Rocky Mountain Junior Hockey League (RMJHL).
In 1995, with the Chiefs continuing to have financial difficulties, a community-led group bought the team with the goal of paying off its $150,000 in debts and restoring junior A hockey to prominence in the Peace Country. The team rebranded as the Grande Prairie Storm and moved to a brand new arena, the Canada Games Arena, built for the 1995 Canada Winter Games.
In 1996, the Storm moved from the RMJHL to the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL). The Storm qualified for the AJHL post season in each of its first 18 consecutive seasons before missing in 2014. In 2004, the Storm won their first AJHL championship. They also hosted the 2004 Royal Bank Cup national junior A championship tournament that season, where they lost in the semifinals.
The Storm have been a major success off the ice as well as the franchise perennially leads the AJHL in attendance, and often leads the entire Canadian Junior A Hockey League in attendance. The Storm broke the previous attendance record for the Royal Bank Cup by over 9000 fans in 2004.
Season-by-season record
Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T/OTL = Ties/Overtime losses, SOL = Shootout losses, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against
| Season | GP | W | L | T/OTL | SOL | Pts | GF | GA | Finish | Playoffs | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1975–76 | 39 | 28 | 11 | 0 | — | 56 | 217 | 159 | 1st, PC Jr. B | Lost Finals, 1–4 vs. Prince George Spruce Kings | |
| 1976–77 | 40 | 17 | 23 | 0 | — | 34 | 179 | 216 | 4th, PC Jr. B | ||
| 1977–78 | 40 | 21 | 19 | 0 | — | 42 | 203 | 164 | 3rd, PC Jr. B | ||
| 1978–79 | 35 | 13 | 21 | 1 | — | 27 | 231 | 254 | 5th, PC Jr. B | ||
| 1979–80 | 48 | 27 | 21 | 0 | — | 54 | 296 | 239 | 5th, PC Jr. B | Lost Semifinals vs. Fort St. John Golden Hawks | |
| 1980–81 | 40 | 17 | 23 | 0 | — | 34 | 180 | 207 | 5th, PCJHL | Did not qualify | |
| 1981–82 | 56 | 37 | 19 | 0 | — | 78 | 367 | 234 | 2nd, PCJHL | Won Semifinals, 4–0 vs. Dawson Creek Kodiaks Lost Finals, 1–4 vs. Prince George Spruce Kings | |
| 1982–83 | Did not participate | ||||||||||
| 1983–84 | 50 | 22 | 27 | 1 | — | 45 | 278 | 273 | 3rd, PCJHL | Lost Semifinals, 0–4 vs. Williams Lake Mustangs | |
| 1984–85 | 48 | 20 | 27 | 1 | — | 41 | 248 | 274 | 4th, PCJHL | Lost Semifinals, 2–4 vs. Fort St. John Huskies | |
| 1985–86 | 50 | 26 | 24 | 0 | — | 52 | 281 | 288 | 4th, PCJHL | Lost Semifinals, 0–4 vs. Prince George Spruce Kings | |
| 1986–87 | 48 | 28 | 20 | 0 | — | 56 | 284 | 247 | 3rd, PCJHL | Won Semifinals, 4–3 vs. Fort St. John Huskies Lost Finals, 2–4 vs. Quesnel Millionaires | |
| 1987–88 | 50 | 38 | 12 | 0 | — | 76 | 346 | 189 | 1st, PCJHL | Won Semifinals, 4–1 vs. Williams Lake Mustangs Won PCJHL Championship, 4–3 vs. Prince George Spruce Kings Lost Mowat Cup, 0–2 vs. Vernon Lakers (BCJHL) | |
| 1988–89 | 52 | 40 | 12 | 0 | — | 80 | 333 | 180 | 1st, PCJHL | Won Semifinals, 4–1 vs. Prince George Spruce Kings Lost Finals, 1–4 vs. Williams Lake Mustangs | |
| 1989–1991 | Did not participate | ||||||||||
| 1991–92 | 52 | 13 | 37 | 2 | — | 28 | 211 | 355 | 5th, Peace-Cariboo | Did not qualify | |
| 1992–93 | 52 | 22 | 30 | 0 | — | 44 | 260 | 339 | 3rd, Peace-Cariboo | Lost Conf. Semifinals, 0–4 vs. Prince George Spruce Kings | |
| 1993–94 | 52 | 34 | 17 | 1 | — | 69 | 270 | 223 | 3rd, Peace-Cariboo | Lost Conf. Semifinals, 3–4 vs. Fort St. John Huskies | |
| 1994–95 | 52 | 24 | 25 | 3 | — | 51 | 253 | 272 | 2nd, Peace-Cariboo | Lost Conf. Semifinals, 2–4 vs. Williams Lake Mustangs | |
| 1995–96 | 58 | 40 | 18 | 0 | — | 80 | 317 | 228 | 1st, Peace-Cariboo | Lost Conf. Semifinals, 2–4 vs. Quesnel Millionaires | |
| 1996–97 | 60 | 28 | 27 | — | 5 | 88 | 236 | 227 | 5th, AJHL | Won Quarterfinals, 4–2 vs. Bow Valley Eagles Lost Semifinals, 1–4 vs. Calgary Canucks | |
| 1997–98 | 60 | 42 | 15 | — | 3 | 87 | 277 | 205 | 2nd, AJHL | Won Quarterfinals, 4–1 vs. Bow Valley Eagles Lost Semifinals, 1–4 vs. Fort Saskatchewan Traders | |
| 1998–99 | 62 | 33 | 22 | — | 7 | 73 | 238 | 203 | 4th, North | Won Div. Quarterfinals, 2–0 vs. Bonnyville Pontiacs Lost Quarterfinals, 1–4 vs. St. Albert Saints | |
| 1999–00 | 64 | 36 | 26 | — | 2 | 74 | 218 | 203 | 4th, North | Lost Div. Quarterfinals, 0–3 vs. Bonnyville Pontiacs | |
| 2000–01 | 64 | 39 | 22 | 3 | — | 81 | 279 | 244 | 2nd, North | Won Div. Quarterfinals, 3–2 vs. Fort Saskatchewan Traders Won Div. Semifinals, 4–1 vs. St. Albert Saints Lost Div. Finals, 1–4 vs. Camrose Kodiaks | |
| 2001–02 | 64 | 34 | 21 | 9 | — | 77 | 233 | 214 | 5th, North | Won Div. Quarterfinals, 3–0 vs. Fort McMurray Oil Barons Won Div. Semifinals, 4–2 vs. St. Albert Saints Won Div. Finals, 4–3 vs. Canmore Eagles Lost Championship, 0–4 vs. Drayton Valley Thunder | |
| 2002–03 | 64 | 40 | 23 | 1 | — | 81 | 267 | 193 | 4th, North | Won Div. Quarterfinals, 4–2 vs. Drayton Valley Thunder Lost Div. Semifinals, 1–4 vs. St. Albert Saints | |
| 2003–04 | 60 | 40 | 14 | 6 | — | 86 | 241 | 139 | 1st, North | Won Div. Semifinals, 4–1 vs. Lloydminster Blazers Won Div. Finals, 4–2 vs. Olds Grizzlys Won AJHL Championship, 4–1 vs. Fort McMurray Oil Barons Lost Doyle Cup, 1–4 vs. Nanaimo Clippers (BCHL) | |
| 2004–05 | 64 | 38 | 21 | 5 | — | 81 | 216 | 160 | 5th, North | Won Div. Quarterfinals, 3–1 vs. Bonnyville Pontiacs Lost Div. Semifinals, 1–4 vs. Fort McMurray Oil Barons | |
| 2005–06 | 60 | 38 | 18 | 4 | — | 80 | 211 | 148 | 4th, North | Lost Div. Quarterfinals, 1–3 vs. Bonnyville Pontiacs | |
| 2006–07 | 60 | 41 | 15 | 4 | — | 86 | 247 | 176 | 2nd, North | Won Div. Quarterfinals, 3–0 vs. Sherwood Park Crusaders Won Div. Semifinals, 4–1 vs. Spruce Grove Saints Lost Div. Finals, 2–4 vs. Camrose Kodiaks | |
| 2007–08 | 62 | 38 | 18 | 6 | — | 82 | 207 | 161 | 2nd, North | Won Div. Quarterfinals, 3–2 vs. St. Albert Steel Lost Div. Semifinals, 3–4 vs. Spruce Grove Saints | |
| 2008–09 | 62 | 42 | 15 | 5 | — | 89 | 228 | 134 | 2nd, North | Won Div. Quarterfinals, 3–1 vs. Lloydminster Bobcats Won Div. Semifinals, 4–2 vs. Sherwood Park Crusaders Won Div. Finals, 4–1 vs. Brooks Bandits Won AJHL Championship, 4–0 vs. Spruce Grove Saints Lost Doyle Cup, 0–4 vs. Vernon Vipers (BCHL) | |
| 2009–10 | 60 | 40 | 17 | 4 | — | 83 | 233 | 174 | 2nd, North | Won Div. Quarterfinals, 3–1 vs. Lloydminster Bobcats Lost Div. Semifinals, 1–4 vs. Fort McMurray Oil Barons | |
| 2010–11 | 60 | 34 | 22 | 4 | — | 72 | 188 | 157 | 4th North | Lost Div. Quarterfinals, 2–3 vs. Lloydminster Bobcats | |
| 2011–12 | 60 | 21 | 35 | 4 | — | 46 | 169 | 221 | 7th North | Lost Div. Quarterfinals, 2–3 vs. Fort McMurray Oil Barons | |
| 2012–13 | 60 | 35 | 21 | 4 | — | 74 | 185 | 156 | 2nd North | Lost Div. Quarterfinals, 1–3 vs. Sherwood Park Crusaders | |
| 2013–14 | 60 | 21 | 36 | 3 | — | 45 | 155 | 220 | 8th North | Did not qualify | |
| 2014–15 | 60 | 15 | 41 | 4 | — | 34 | 119 | 245 | 8th North | Did not qualify | |
| 2015–16 | 60 | 11 | 45 | 4 | — | 26 | 138 | 302 | 8th North | Did not qualify | |
| 2016–17 | 60 | 15 | 38 | 7 | 1 | 37 | 146 | 153 | 7th of 8, North 14th of 16, AJHL | Lost Div. Quarterfinals, 0–3 vs. Whitecourt Wolverines | |
| 2017–18 | 60 | 28 | 29 | — | 3 | 59 | 212 | 225 | 4th of 8, North 8th of 16, AJHL | Won Div. Quarterfinals, 3–2 vs. Sherwood Park Crusaders Lost Div. Semifinals, 0–4 vs. Spruce Grove Saints | |
| 2018–19 | 60 | 30 | 26 | 4 | — | 64 | 208 | 215 | 5th of 8, North 11th of 16, AJHL | Lost Div. Quarterfinals, 1–3 vs. Fort McMurray Oil Barons | |
| 2019–20 | 58 | 18 | 33 | 7 | — | 43 | 139 | 198 | 7th of 8, North 12th of 15, AJHL | Lost Div. Quarterfinals, 2–4 vs. Spruce Grove Saints | |
Junior A National Championship
The National Junior A Championship, known as the Centennial Cup and formerly as the Royal Bank Cup or RBC Cup, is the postseason tournament for the Canadian national championship for Junior A hockey teams that are members of the Canadian Junior Hockey League. The tournament consists of the regional Junior A champions and a previously selected host team. Since 1990, the national championship has used a five-team tournament format when the regional qualifiers were designated as the ANAVET Cup (Western), Doyle Cup (Pacific), Dudley Hewitt Cup (Central), and Fred Page Cup (Eastern). From 2013 to 2017, the qualifiers were the Dudley Hewitt Cup (Central), Fred Page Cup (Eastern), and the Western Canada Cup champions and runners-up.
The tournament begins with round-robin play between the five teams followed by the top four teams playing a semifinal game, with the top seed facing the fourth seed and the second facing the third. The winners of the semifinals then face each other in final game for the national championship. In some years, the losers of the semifinal games face each other for a third place game.
| Year | Round-robin | Record | Standing | Semifinal | Third place game | Championship game |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 Host | W, 5–3 vs. Kindersley Klippers (Western) W, 4–2 vs. Aurora Tigers (Central) W, 7–2 vs. Nepean Raiders (Eastern) L, 2–7 vs. Nanaimo Clippers (Pacific) | 3–1 | 1st of 5 | L, 3–4 vs. Kindersley Klippers | Not played | — |
League awards
Player awards
- 2018 AJHL Rookie of the Year — Zachary Okabe
Team awards
- 2004 AJHL Champions
- 2009 AJHL Champions
NHL alumni
The following former Storm have gone on to play in the NHL:
See also
References
- 1 2 "Team History". Grande Prairie Storm. Retrieved July 2, 2019.
- ↑ "Grande Prairie North Stars Statistics and History [PJHL]". HockeyDB. Retrieved July 2, 2019.
