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.......