Storm take 3 of 4 points

Having earned points in just two of their first five games, the Storm were hoping their two home games this weekend would act as a springboard towards turning around their slow start.  With a win and a shoot out loss, time will tell how the Storm react to a fairly successful weekend.

Two Deals Bring Two Newcomers to Storm

Ryan Hamberg and Lyndin Himer-Lewis are the newest members of the Blue and Gold

The Storm have brought in two new players through a pair of deals.  One made his debut last night, while the other is expected to dress tonight against the Camrose Kodiaks. 
The first deal saw the hockey club acquire the rights to local product Lyndin Himer-Lewis from Drayton Valley for future cnsiderations.  Himer-Lewis led the Ernie's Sports Experts Major Midget Storm in scoring last season, and was the club's representative in the AMHL all star game, where he recorded a hat trick and an assist, en route to being named player of the game for the North Division squad. He also appeared in five games with the Thunder as an affiliate player last season. 
The second transaction was a three team trade involving the Storm and two teams from Ontario.  It started with the Storm dealing 20 year old blueliner Nick Yeatman to the Orangeville Flyers of the OJHL for Jonathan Demme, who was then subsequently shipped to the Villanove Knights of the same league, in exchange for Hamberg. 
In 78 games over two seasons with the Knights, Hamberg had a goal and 10 assists to go with 188 penalty minutes. 
At 6 foot 3 and 205 pounds, the soon to be 19 year old Hamberg brings more size to the Storm back end.  Coach Mike Vandekamp hopes he will turn into a Mark Stojan-style defender for the Storm, as in someone who will block shots and kill penalties while playing a top-4 role on the team.  

Fritz To Get Another Shot At Canada West

Tanner Fritz hopes to wear the Maple Leaf for a third straight year.

In the brief history of the World Junior A Hockey Challenge, no player has ever represented Canada West in three straight tournaments.  Tanner Fritz hopes to change that this year.

Storm - 1 at Oil Barons - 2

After a scathing video session on Thursday night in which reportedly very few players were left unscathed for their performance in Wednesday's loss in Sherwood Park, there was some curiousity as to how the Storm would react Friday night in Fort McMurray. 

Storm - 2 at Crusaders - 4

For the second time in as many meetings this season, the Sherwood Park Crusaders came out on top of the Storm in a game dominated by special teams play.  The two teams combined for 17 power plays on the night, with the Crusaders going 2 for 9, while the Storm went 1 for 8 while adding a shorthanded goal.

Vandekamp on goalies and the Crusaders

There have been changes to the Storm's goaltending situation over the past few days.  I caught up with coach Mike Vandekamp Tuesday afternoon to get an update, and to also preview Wednesday's kick off to the three game in four night road trip in Sherwood Park.

There have been further updates since this interview was done.  Tuesday night, the club announced it had released 18 year olf netminder Chase Komistek, who had previously played with the Calgary Canucks and Brooks Bandits, as well as the WHL's Calgary Hitmen.  They also announced that they had finally received Lino Chimienti's release from Quebec, and that the 19 year old had finally been cleared to play.  He will likely see action at some point during this current road trip.  Chimienti and Edwards are joined by Thunder Bay, Ontario native Colin Dzijacky on the roster.  Dzijacky is 1-1 on the season with a 1.93 goals against average, and a .930 save percentage.  

Catching Up With a Former Storm

I had the chance prior to Saturday's Storm/Dragons tilt to catch up former Storm and current Dragon Derek Ginnell.  We talked about the Dragons, his previously injured knee and his memories of his time with the Storm.

Storm - 3 Dragons - 2 (Shoot out)

The Storm have found their way into the win column for the first time in the 2010-11 season.  But they did it the hard way.

Game Night - Storm vs Dragons

GRANDE PRAIRIE STORM vs DRUMHELLER DRAGONS

Saturday, September 11th   7:30 PM   Canada Games Arena

Radio:  104.7 FREE-FM                Internet:  www.1047freefm.com

STORM

2010 record:  0-1-0

Last Result:  2-0 Loss to Sherwood Park

Last Season Record:  40-17-1-2   83 points  (2nd North)

Key Notes:  Storm will enter tonight`s game without the services of defenceman Nick Yeatman and forward Jordan Forfar, who have both been suspended 2 games by the AJHL.  Last night`s loss means the Storm have gone 0-3-1 in their last four home openers.  In their subsequent home games, the Storm are 2-1. 

DRAGONS

2010 record:  0-1-0

Last Result: 6-2 Loss at St Albert

Last Season Record: 17-37-0-6  40 points  (8th South)

Key Returnees: Evan Warner F, Brendan Alego D, Sam Lawson F, Justin Tateson F

Newcomers: Cole Cheveldave G, Sean Sanford F

Key Notes:  The Dragons have 19 players back from last year`s squad that finished out of the playoffs in the South division, the first time that has happened in the club`s brief history.  Last year, the Dragons won their lone appearance in Grande Prairie, jumping out to a 4-0 first period lead and then hanging on for a 6-5 win.  Tonight marks the return of Derek Ginnell to Grande Prairie for the first time since he was traded by the Storm to Nanaimo last October in the Chad Carder deal. 

Yeatman, Forfar Suspended

(Photos courtesy MT Actions Photography)

According to AJHL.ca

As a result of Grande Prairie player, Nick Yeatman, being assessed an instigator penalty in a second fight, which occurred during a September 10, 2010 game in Grande Prairie, he is suspended for two (2) games. The Grande Prairie Storm are also assessed a team fine.


In addition, Grande Prairie player, Jordan Forfar, is suspended for two (2) games as a result of being assessed a major penalty for checking to the head.
The suspensions are to be served during the Storms' next two (2) regularly scheduled League games.

Crusaders - 2 at Storm - 0

A 33 save performance by Patrick Terriss paced the Sherwood Park Crusaders to a 2-0 win over the Storm in the Storm's 2010-11 season and home opener. 

Game Night - Storm vs Crusaders

GRANDE PRAIRIE STORM vs SHERWOOD PARK CRUSADERS
Friday, September, 10th, 2010 7:30PM   Canada Games Arena
Radio: 104.7 FREE FM

STORM
This season record:  2010 opener
Last season record:  40-17-1-2  83 points  (2nd North)
Key returnees:  Tanner Fritz F, Dan Correale F, Darren Kramer F, Caylen Walls D
Newcomers:  Jordan Forfar F, John Girman F, Ben Woodley D
Key Notes:  The Storm return only 10 players from last year's squad that finished 2nd overall in the AJHL.  Finding offence to replace the 121 lost with the graduation of Zahn Raubenheimer, Dennis Rix and Travis Dunstall will be key.  Also, the club still has four goalies in camp battling for two spots.  First few games could still feel a bit like camp until they decide on their two netminders.

CRUSADERS
This season record:  2010 opener
Last season record: 33-17-2-7  75 points (4th North)
Key returnees:  Patrick Terriss G, Josh Lee D, Chris Kallal F, Michael Small F
Newcomers:  Zach Ovics, Dan Starosta, J.C. Heck
Key Notes:  Terriss will be counted on to provide the type of netminding the Crusaders got over the past two seasons from graduated veteran Matt Esposito.  Also, the offensive spotlight will now shift to Kallal and Small, after AJHL MVP and Canadian Junior Hockey League player of the year Cody Kunyk moved on to U-S College. 

Sponsor Recognition

The Storm kick off their 2010-11 regular season tomorrow night, when they host the Sherwood Park Crusaders at the Canada Games Arena.  And once again this season, you will be able to catch every minute of all home and away regular season and playoff games on 104.7 FREE-FM, or online at http://www.1047freefm.com/.  Blackberry and IPhone users can also download our app from our website, and can listen to FREE-FM and the Storm anywhere.

Storm start season 12th in National Rankings

Some good news for the Storm on the eve of the 2010-11 season.  They are one of four AJHL teams to make the Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL) top 20 national rankings.

Storm Roster Update

Two more roster moves with the Storm to tell you about.......

Get Yourself Some "Storm" Donuts

(L-R) Storm coach Mike Vandekamp, mascot Slapshot, and Gillian MacDonald of Tim Horton's

(Photo courtesy of Don Moon)

The Storm and Tim Horton's have announced a unique feature that allows fans to put their support for the Storm where their mouth is. 

Storm release four, add one

The Storm's roster currently sits at 25 players, after four players were let go on Sunday, and one player was added this week. 

AJHL 2010-11 Preview

Besides providing colour commentary for our Storm broadcasts, Daily Hearld Tribune managing editor Fred Rinne also writes articles for Sun Media and AJHL.ca.  Here is Fred's take on how the 16 teams in the AJHL look coming into the new season, which begins Friday.   Enjoy!

http://www.ajhl.ca/news.html?newsID=53

AJHL Northern Classic

The AJHL and the Fort McMurray Oil Barons announced details this morning of the first-ever AJHL Northern Classic, which is set for November 26th at MacDonald Island Park in Fort McMurray.  It will feature the first junior hockey game to be played outdoors in Canada, as the Oil Barons will face the Drayton Valley Thunder.

Storm Confirm Captains

In a chat with Mike Vandekamp following Saturday's 5-3 win over Quesnel in Dawson Creek, he confirmed three of his four captains for this season.  (click on game summary blog to hear that interview). 

Storm - 5 Quesnel - 3

Bring on the regular season.

The Storm closed off their exhibition schedule in Dawson Creek Saturday afternoon with a 5-3 win over the BCHL's Quesnel Millionaires, finishing with a perfect 4-and-0 record. 

Storm - 3 Prince George - 2 (SO)

Sometimes, a final score can really flatter a hockey team.  That was definitely the case for the BCHL's Prince George Spruce Kings on Friday afternoon. 

Storm release two, lose one

The Storm lowered their pre-season roster to 28 prior to Friday's contest against the BCHL's Prince George Spruce Kings. 

Storm - 5 Dawson Creek - 4

First off, sorry for no earlier blogging on last night's game. Didn't get home from Dawson Creek until after midnight. That coupled with the 4am alarm call for work meant little time for sleep, and even less time for blogging.

Tuesday night audio

As promised, here is post game audio from Tuesday's 4-1 Storm pre-season win over Dawson Creek.