The Grande Prairie Storm will return to home ice at Bonnetts Energy Centre this weekend after a nearly month-long hiatus as the guys enjoyed two road trips in and out of the holiday break.
Storm Executive Director Nicole Menzies says the team, while somewhat tired from so much time on the bus, is ready to get back in action for the Storm’s 2025 home opener.
“Lots of excitement around here, just ready to get back on home ice,” she says. “It’s so good to be back home, trade deadline has come and gone, we’ve added three really strong players to the roster so we’re really excited to get them into the lineup this weekend.”
Grande Prairie made three trades before and on deadline day, sending Johnny Maruna to Olds in exchange for future considerations, Damian Palmieri to Camrose for a similar deal, and acquiring Kailus Green from Bonnyville in exchange for future considerations from the Storm.
The Storm spent three games in three days in the Calgary area ahead of the Christmas break, and got back in action following the break in the eastern side of the province with back-to-back games against the Lloydminster Bobcats and the Fort McMurray Oil Barons.
Despite this, Menzies says the guys remain in “good spirits” and are ready to take on the Devon Xtreme come Friday and Saturday night.
“Obviously those trips are tiring, its a lot of games in a short time span and a lot of time on the bus, but everybody seems to be in really good spirits, and really excited to get the second half of the season kicked off,” she says. “We’re definitely looking forward to that signature Bonnetts Energy Centre energy, where the fans are cheering and yelling, and hopefully we put on a good show for the fans.”
The Storm’s matchup on January 18th is also minor hockey night at Bonnetts, and Menzies says she “can’t think” of a better way to kick off the second half of the season than with 40 local youth hockey teams in attendance.
