Sunday, August 22, 2010

Storm Celebrate 15th Year In AJHL

Press Release

Fifteen years ago this month the Grande Prairie Storm logo was
unveiled and the team was about to start its first year of existence
in the Rocky Mountain Junior Hockey League.

Today, the team unveiled its 15th anniversary logo, created by Nine 10
Website & Brand Stylists.

“The logo represents the fact we just completed our 15th year as an
organization and will be celebrating our 15th anniversary in the
Alberta Junior Hockey League during the 2010-2011 season,” said Storm
business manager Don Moon. “Those first 15 years went by pretty fast.
In the summer of 1995 we were in a panic to get the logo created,
jerseys ordered and a team on the ice. It was exciting, but a lot of
people were working hard to make it happen and a lot of people have
been involved making it happen for 15 years.”

Since then the Storm has been one of the most successful Junior A
franchises in Canada.

The team led the RMJHL in attendance in 1995-96 and hasn’t looked back
topping the turnstiles in the AJHL every year since it joined the
league in 1996. Over the last 14 years the team has also been at or
near the top in attendance every year among all Junior A teams in
Canada.

Success on the ice has also been a trademark of the team. The Storm
finished first in the RMJHL and have never missed the AJHL playoffs,
won two championships and over their first 14 years in the league and
has the second-best points total among all teams since 1996-1997. Only
the Spruce Grove (St. Albert) Saints have more points than the Storm
since 1996.

The team also hosted the most successful Royal Bank Cup tournament
ever in 2004 and holds the record for attendance and profit from that
event. Grande Prairie has also hosted two AJHL all-star games and
holds the record attendance for that event.

This coming season the team will be saluting fans, players, volunteers
and sponsors who have been instrumental in making the Storm a success.

“We have many people who have been season ticket holders since 1995
and we will be honoring many of those dedicated fans,” said Moon. “We
also put together a selection committee and 15 times during the season
we will be honoring a player who was a fan favorite from each of the
first 15 years.

“Some of the volunteers and sponsors have also been with us for 15
years so we are going to recognize them too.”

The team is also working on some special “deals” based around the
number 15 and the team’s first 15 years.

“Anyone who was born in Grande Prairie on the date of our very first
game (Sept. 15, 1995) will be eligible for a family pak of season
tickets and anyone who is celebrating their 15th birthday on any of
our home games this year will be treated to a birthday party,
including an introduction, at the game along with 15 game tickets.”

The team is also preparing a 15-puck on-ice shootout that will be held
several times during the year with the ultimate prize being a vehicle
at the end of the season.

There will also be other specials based around the number 15 as the
season continues.

“The Storm organization has been very fortunate to have such great
support in the community for the last 15 years,” said Moon. “It’s
important to recognize that and what we are doing during the 15th
anniversary celebrations is a way for the organization to show its
appreciation.”

The team’s 16th season, and 15th in the AJHL, starts with fall
training camp. It opens next Thursday with fitness testing in the
morning and a team function at Saskatoon Lake in the afternoon. On
Friday, Aug. 27 players hit the ice for the first time at 8:30 a.m. in
the Canada Games Arena. The on-ice sessions continue Saturday while on
Sunday the annual Blue vs. White game goes at noon at the Games Arena.

The Storm host the Dawson Creek Rage in their only exhibition game on
Tuesday, Aug. 31 at 7 p.m. in the Canada Games Arena. Season opener is
Friday, Sept. 10 against the Sherwood Park Crusaders at 7:30 p.m.

(Nathan can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)

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