Guelph Storm
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The Guelph Storm are an OHL team based in Guelph, Ontario, Canada.
Since their first OHL appearance in the 1991-1992 season, the Storm have won two OHL titles (in 1997-1998 and 2003-2004) and appeared in four Memorial Cups. The franchise was granted in 1934 as the Toronto Marlboros, in 1989 the Marlboros moved to Hamilton to become the Dukes and in 1991 they moved to Guelph.
They play out of the Guelph Sports and Entertainment Centre (seating capacity 4,685).
- Logo: Team mascot "Spike" surrounded by a twister with the team name above
- Colours: Maroon, Grey, and Black
- Head Coach: Dave Barr
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History
In terms of the lifespan of the Ontario Hockey League, the Storm are a relatively young team. The 2005/2006 season will be the team's 15th season as the Storm (although the franchise had been around for many more years in Toronto and Hamilton). The first years were tough for the Storm as they experienced records under .500 but the team was drafting well picking up future stars such as Jeff O'Neill and Todd Bertuzzi. This paid off in the 1995/96 season as the Storm appeared in their first OHL Championship. They were paired up against the Memorial Cup host Peterborough Petes, so the Storm also had their first trip to the Memorial Cup in 1996.
The 1997/98 season was the breakout season for the Storm as they returned to the OHL Championship and won it for the first time since 1973 (as the Toronto Marlboros). The success continued into the Memorial Cup Tournament as the Storm rallied to the Championship Game where they lost to the Portland Winterhawks in overtime.
In 2000, the team moved from the historic but aging Guelph Memorial Gardens into the Guelph Sports and Entertainment Centre and were then awarded the responsiblity of hosting the 2002 Memorial Cup tournament. Two years later, the Storm managed to return to the Tournament for their fourth and most recent time after winning their second OHL Championship.
After four Memorial Cup appearances in the last 9 years and 2 OHL Championships in the last 7 years, the Storm have undoubtedly established themselves as one of the Ontario Hockey League's and CHL's elite franchises.
The franchise has won seven Memorial Cups, all as the Toronto Marlboros: 1929, 1955, 1956, 1964, 1967, 1973 and 1975.
Players of note
Players who played in the NHL as of the 2003-04 NHL season
- Craig Anderson
- Eric Beadoin
- Todd Bertuzzi
- Dustin Brown
- Sean Burke
- Dan Cloutier
- Aaron Downey
- Chris Hajt
- Manny Malholtra
- Kent McDonell
- Jeff O'Neill
- Gary Roberts
- Steve Thomas
- Fedor Tyutin
- Ryan Vandenbussche
- Brian Willsie
Retired numbers
18 - Paul Fendley
External links
- Guelph Storm Homepage (http://www.guelphstorm.com/)