Alexandria Blizzard Explained

The Alexandria Blizzard is a USA Hockey-sanctioned Tier III Junior ice hockey team playing in the North American 3 Hockey League (NA3HL). The team plays their home games at Runestone Community Center in Alexandria, Minnesota. The franchise is owned by Chris and Mitri Canavati, the owners of the Tier II North American Hockey League's Brookings Blizzard.

History

Established in 2012,[1] the Blizzard replaced the North American Hockey League team that had recently relocated to Brookings, South Dakota. The owners of the NAHL franchise, Chris and Mitri Canavati, relocated their team due to Alexandria being the smallest market in the Tier II league. However, they still wanted to keep Alexandria as a junior hockey market and founded the Tier III level expansion team as a replacement.[2] The Blizzard announced their first head coach was Jeff Crouse, formerly the assistant coach for the NAHL Blizzard.[3]

Season-by-season records

Season GP W L OTL SOL Pts GF GA PIM Regular Season Finish Playoffs
2012–13 48 31 15 0 2 64 194 111 1304 3rd of 6, West Div.
5th of 17, NA3HL
Lost Div. Semifinals, 1–3 vs. Granite City Lumberjacks
2013–14 48 31 17 0 62 228 164 1441 3rd of 6, West Div.
7th of 21, NA3HL
Lost Div. Semifinals, 1–2 vs. Granite City Lumberjacks
2014–15 47 28 16 3 59 188 160 1027 3rd of 6, West Div.
14th of 31, NA3HL
Lost Div. Semifinals, 1–2 vs. Granite City Lumberjacks
2015–16 47 22 21 4 48 184 166 1139 4th of 5, West Div.
21st of 34, NA3HL
Lost Div. Semifinals, 1–2 vs. Granite City Lumberjacks
2016–17 47 32 12 0 3 67 215 116 1480 2nd of 5, West Div.
13th of 48, NA3HL
Lost Div. Semifinals, 1–2 vs. New Ulm Steel
2017–18 47 31 14 1 1 64 226 151 855 3rd of 5, West Div.
14th of 42, NA3HL
Lost Div. Semifinals, 1–2 vs. New Ulm Steel
2018–19 47 29 17 0 1 59 194 134 986 4th of 7, West Div.
16th of 36, NA3HL
Won Div. Semifinals, 2–1 vs.
Lost Div. Finals, 0–2 vs. North Iowa Bulls
2019–20 47 24 18 4 1 53 220 167 884 4th of 6, West Div.
14th of 34, NA3HL
Playoffs cancelled
2020–21 40 17 20 1 2 37 118 157 661 4th of 5, West Div.
18th of 31, NA3HL
Lost Div. Semifinals, 1–2 vs. North Iowa Bulls
2021–22 47 25 20 1 1 52 100 169 661 4th of 6, West Div.
17th of 34, NA3HL
Lost Div. Semifinals, 0–2 vs. Granite City Lumberjacks
2022–23 47 32 12 1 2 67 219 118 1197 2nd of 6, West Div.
9th of 34, NA3HL
Won Div. Semifinals, 2-1 Mason City Toros
Won Div. Finals, 2-0 Granite City Lumberjacks
Fraser Cup - round Robin pool
(Won 4-1 Texas Jr. Brahmas & Won 3-1 Granite City Lumberjacks)
Won Semifinals, 3–2 Oregon Tradesmen
Lost Championship Gm 5-6 Granite City Lumberjacks
2023–24 47 27 16 3 1 58 176 132 743 3rd of 6, West Div.
16th of 34, NA3HL
Lost Div. Semifinals, 0-2 Rochester Grizzlies

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Owner sees Alexandria Blizzard thriving in the 3HL . NA3HL. April 25, 2012.
  2. Web site: Blizzard to relocate to Brookings, South Dakota for 2012-13 season . NA3HL . April 23, 2012.
  3. Web site: Crouse ready for new era in Alexandria . NA3HL . June 1, 2012.