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.