Storm - 4 Dawson Creek - 1

Mitch Neumeier with an in-close chance

The line of John Girman, Jordan Forfar and Darren Kramer combined for nine points as the Storm opened their exhibition schedule with a 4-1 win over the North American Hockey League's Dawson Creek Rage on Tuesday night at the Canada Games Arena.

And then there were 31

The Storm will carry 31 players into the pre-season, which begins Tuesday night with a home date against the Dawson Creek Rage of the North American Hockey League.  Its a 7pm start at the Games Arena, and marks the start of a home and home series between the two clubs.  They also face off Wednesday night at 8pm Alberta time at the Encana Events Center in Dawson Creek.

Blue - 3 White - 2 (Shoot out)

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Tanner Fritz beats Colin Dzijacky for lone shoot out goal

Tanner Fritz scored the tying goal with just over a minute remaining in the third, and then had the lone goal in the shoot out, as team Blue came from behind to beat team White 3-2 in the Storm's annual intrasquad game.

AJHL Pre Season - August 28th

A busy night of AJHL exhibition play, with seven games on the schedule:

Storm Training Camp - Day 3 Evening scrimmage

The final scrimmage before Sunday's Blue-White Intrasquad game saw team Blue pick up a 4-2 win over team Gold.  Four year veteran Tanner Fritz recorded a hat trick for the Blue team, with Brett Grant adding the other goal.  Mitch Neumeier and Scott Nordstrom replied for the Gold team.  Saturday night's game was by far the most spirited and intense scrimmage of the weekend, as both teams ramped up their physical play.  Also of note, the entire game was played 4 on 4.

Storm/Edmonton Oilers Outbreak event in pictures

The Storm and the Edmonton Oilers Events team hosted an icebreaker event today.  Originally slated for the parking lot of the Crystal Centre, the rain and cold weather forced the event to be moved inside.  Here is a review of the event in pictures.

AJHL Pre Season - August 27th

Four games Friday night in AJHL Exhibition play:

Storm Training Camp - Day 2 Notes

The first scrimmage of camp highlighted day 2 of Storm training camp, as team Blue beat team Gold 4-2.

Local product Zack Mungall scored twice to lead the way for team Blue.  He was able to get a pair of wrist shots off quickly, the first one surprising Gold netminder Chase Komistek, who was caught a little deep in his net at the time.  John Girman and Jeff Clark had the other goals for team Blue, while Jon Aylward and Taylor Cote replied for team Gold. 

Storm Training Camp Rosters

Team Blue
Goal:
Lino Chimienti(91)                 Laval, QC
Kenny Cameron(93)             Calgary, AB
Christopher Wray(93)           Edmonton, AB
Curtis Skip(94)                     Grande Prairie, AB
Defence:
Caylen Walls(91)                  Lyalta, AB
Matt Cumming(91)               Kamloops, BC
Jeff Clark(92)                       Somerset, MB
Ben Woodley(91)                 London, ON
Matthew Chrystian(92)         Camrose, AB 
Kenton Helgeson(94)            Fairview, AB
Forwards:
Cam McWilliam(90)             Vancouver, BC
Tanner Fritz(91)                    Grande Prairie, AB 
John Girman(90)                   Mississauga, ON
Dan Correale(91)                 Prince George, BC
Zack Mungall(93)                 Grande Prairie, AB
Daniel Dale(93)                    Grande Prairie, AB
Daniel Bishop(92)                 Grande Prairie, AB
Kublai Barlas(94)                 Grande Prairie, AB
Brett Grant(92)                     St. Albert, AB
Curtis Bunney(93)                 Airdrie, AB


Team Gold
Goal:
Chase Komistek(92)             Medicine Hat, AB
Colin Dzijacky(92)                Thunder Bay, ON
Simon Thieleman(93)             Castor, AB
Defence:
Alex Lubczuk(91)                  Kitchener, ON
Josh Phillips(91)                     Toronto,, ON
Landon Hall(92)                     Stony Plain, AB
Nick Yeatman(90)                 Aurora, ON
Jeff Brown(93)                      Edmonton, AB
Scott Nordstrom(93)             Grande Prairie, AB
Forward:
Darren Kramer(91)                Peace River, AB
Jordan Forfar(90)                  Mt. Albert, ON
Taylor Cote(93)                     Falher, AB
Mitch Neumeier(91)               Dodsland, SK
Spencer Mault(92)                 Corman Park, SK
Jon Aylward(92)                    Grande Prairie, AB
Kolton Gillett(92)                   Red Deer, AB
Austin Ruud(93)                     Vermillion, AB
Warren Lothian(93)                Edmonton, AB
Derian Cardinal(93)                Saddle Lake, AB
Tanner Lomsnes(94)               Red Deer, AB

Storm Training Camp - Day 1 Notes

Training camp kicked off this morning with fitness testing, and then a team bonding exercise (in the rain) at Saskatoon Lake.  Some observations.....

Storm Training Camp - Day 1 - Video Blog # 2

Coach and General Manager Mike Vandekamp discusses a number of topics with me, including this year's physical testing, what fans can expect to see out of this year's club, and a few veterans that will not be on the ice this weekend. 

Storm Training Camp - Day 1 - Video Blog

I talked to several veterans after the morning physicals on day one of Storm camp, asking them about the testing and their thoughts on the coming season.  (Sorry about the shakyness at times.  Remember, the video is being done with only a BlackBerry.)

Storm, Canadian Tire Partner Up On Kidz Fan Club

The Storm have signed a three year agreement with Canadian Tire, who will become the exclusive sponsor of the Storm Kidz Fan Club.

Training Camp Ice Times

It's almost here.

Storm training camp kicks off tomorrow (Thursday) morning with registration at 9:30, and fitness testing beginning at 10:30.  The close to 40 players in camp will spend Thursday afternoon at a team building event and barbecue, before hitting the ice for the first time on Friday morning.

Here's how the on-ice schedule looks.

Oilers 'Fanboni' Coming To Grande Prairie This Weekend

To parody a song by the Gear Daddies.. "I Wanna Drive the 'Fanboni!"

The Storm are joining forces with the Edmonton Oilers for a special icebreaker event this Saturday.

In conjunction with the Storm's training camp, the Oilers are bringing their travelling event team to the front parking lot and lobby of the Crystal Centre between noon and 4.

AJHL Launches New Look Website, Other Multimedia Options

From http://www.ajhl.ca/

The Alberta Junior Hockey League today launched a new website and mobile site, which are now live for all fans to enjoy. The League has also introduced Twitter and Facebook pages to allow ultimate access and interaction with the AJHL.

Getting Ready For the Season

If you need something to get you geared up for training camp and the upcoming season, have a listen to this.

See you at the rink!

Familiar Faces On other Side in Pre Season

The Storm could see some familiar faces during their upcoming pre season schedule. 

CGA Ice Is All Ready To Go!

One thing I want to try on the blog this season is video taken with my Blackberry.  Here is test #1, taking a look at the ice at the Canada Games Arena.

ATTENTION! STORM SEASON TICKET HOLDERS

Business Manager Don Moon wants you!

The Storm are expanding their season ticket sales staff by...oh say.... a thousand people. 

The club has introduced a program that can put money in the pockets of season ticket holders, while putting more people into the Canada Games Arena. 

Storm Unveil 15th Anniversary Logo

  This season marks a pair of 15th anniversaries surrounding the Grande Prairie Storm.  And the team is planning to celebrate that anniversary in several ways. 

AJHL, Four Other Leagues, Launch Pilot Project to Reduce Violence and Bullying

from AJHL.ca

A group of five Member Leagues within the Canadian Junior Hockey League are proud to announce an unprecedented joint effort to eliminate violence and bullying from Junior A hockey.

Here we go again!

Another Grande Prairie Storm season is upon, and with that comes another attempt by myself to blog the news and events surrounding the hockey club throughout the season.