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Manitoba Blizzard

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Winnipeg Blizzard
Founded2010
LeagueRocky Mountain Lacrosse League
DivisionRMLL East
Based inWinnipeg, Manitoba
ArenaMaples Community Centre
General managerTerry Williams
Championships3 (2016, 2017, 2024)
Division titles7 (2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022, 2023, 2024)

Winnipeg Blizzard are a Junior B box lacrosse team based in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The Blizzard compete in the Rocky Mountain Lacrosse League.

History

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Formed in 2010 as the Manitoba Gryphons, the team was the first Manitoba-based team to join the Rocky Mountain Lacrosse League. After a two-year probationary period the Gryphons were granted full league membership for the 2012 season in which they finished 10-9-0, sixth best in the 10-team league. They Gryphons were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs.

The Gryphons hosted Founders Cup 2013[1] in Winnipeg finishing in fifth place. The team would see ownership/management changes in the off-season and were renamed the Blizzard. The club also relocated from their original home in Oakbank to Notre Dame Arena and further to Maples Community Centre.

As the lone Junior B team in the province, the Blizzard annually represent Manitoba at Founders Cup. The team has played for the Bronze medal on four occasions falling short each time.

It hosted the Founders Cup 2019 in Winnipeg.

In 2024, the team was renamed the Winnipeg Blizzard to drop the "Manitoba" name at the provinces request.

The team went on to win the 2024 Larry Bishop Memorial Trophy in Airdrie, Alberta.

Season-by-season

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Manitoba Gryphons/Blizzard
Season W L T Pts GF GA Finish Playoffs Founders Cup finish
2011 7 7 0 14 127 130 5th of 6 South Not eligible 4th - Lost vs Saskatchewan SWAT
2012 10 9 0 20 170 201 4th of 6 South Lost vs Calgary Shamrocks (2-1) 7th
2013 12 7 1 25 189 174 3rd of 6 South Won vs Calgary Chill (2-0); Lost vs Calgary Mountaineers (2-0) 5th
2014 13 7 0 26 207 180 3rd of 6 South DNQ 4th - Lost vs Nova Scotia
2015 14 6 0 28 209 145 2nd of 5 North Won vs Edmonton Warriors (2-1); Round robin (2-1); Won vs Calgary Chill; Lost vs Saskatchewan SWAT

League Finalists

5th
2016 15 5 0 30 235 151 3rd of 6 South Won vs SWAT (2-0); Round robin (2-1); Won vs Red Deer Rampage; Won vs Chill[2][3] - Champion 8th
2017 18 2 0 36 247 170 1st of 6 North Round robin (2-1); Won vs Chill; Won vs Rampage[4][5] - Champion 4th - Lost vs Seneca WarChiefs
2018 18 2 0 36 246 116 1st of 3 East Won vs SWAT (2-0); Round robin (1-3) 4th - Lost vs Coquitlam Adanacs
2019 13 7 0 26 203 189 1st of 3 East Won vs SWAT (2-0); Round robin (2-2) 4th - Lost vs Coquitlam Adanacs
2022 11 9 0 22 213 211 1st of 3

East

Won vs Kings (2-1); Round robin (0-4) Did not attend
2023 13 7 0 26 239 179 2nd of 3

East

Won vs Kings (2-0); Round robin (3-1); Lost vs Warriors

League Finalists

Did not attend
2024 13 6 1 27 211 153 2nd of 3

East

Won vs Kings (2-0); Round robin (3-1); Won vs Mavericks - Champion To be played

Founders Cup

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CANADIAN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

Year Round Robin Record
W-L-T
Standing Semifinal 5th Place Game Bronze Medal Game Gold Medal Game
2015
Calgary, AB
L, Akwesasne Indians 8-15
L, Seneca WarChiefs 6-19
OTW, Calgary Mountaineers 7-6
L, Coquitlam Adanacs 7-10
L, Saskatchewan SWAT 3-15
OTW, Calgary Chill 11-10
2-4-0 5th of 7 W, Saskatchewan SWAT 9-6
2016
Orangeville, ON
L, Seneca WarChiefs 8-12
L, Orangeville Northmen 3-9
OTL, Coquitlam Adanacs 9-10
L, Clarington Green Gaels 1-15
0-3-1 4th of 4
Pool B
L, Team Nova Scotia 13-6 L, Coquitlam Adanacs 9-12
2017
Saskatoon, SK
L, Red Deer Rampage 9-11
L, Orangeville Northmen 8-12
W, Saskatchewan SWAT 16-15
W, Coquitlam Adanacs 14-11
L, Red Deer Rampage 7-10
2-3-0 4th of 6 L, Seneca WarChiefs 8-15
2018
Akwesasne
W, Saskatchewan SWAT 10-6
L, Elora Mohawks 8-17
W, Mohawks Medicine Men 13-7
2-1-0 2nd of 3
Pool A
OTL, Calgary Shamrocks 8-9 L, Coquitlam Adanacs 8-9
2019
Winnipeg, MB
W, North Shore Kodiaks 16-13
W, Seneca WarChiefs 11-10
L, Calgary Shamrocks 5-13
W, Saskatchewan SWAT 11-8
L, Six Nations Rebels 3-16
L, Coquitlam Adanacs 5-11
3-3-0 4th of 7 L, Coquitlam Adanacs 4-7

References

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  1. ^ "Gryphons about more than lacrosse". Winnipeg Free Press. August 20, 2013.
  2. ^ "Ritchie brothers help Blizzard capture lacrosse league championship". Thompson Citizen. August 10, 2016.
  3. ^ "Manitoba Blizzard ready to defend Rocky Mountain Lacrosse League title". Global News. April 26, 2017.
  4. ^ "Blizzard win second lacrosse championship". Winnipeg Free Press. September 11, 2017.
  5. ^ "Thompson athletes lead Manitoba Blizzard to victory yet again". Thompson Citizen. August 15, 2017.
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