Alexandria Blizzard
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.
| Alexandria Blizzard | |
|---|---|
 | |
| City | Alexandria, Minnesota |
| League | NA3HL |
| Division | West |
| Founded | 2012 |
| Home arena | Runestone Community Center |
| Owner(s) | Chris and Mitri Canavati |
| Head coach | Jeff Crouse |
| Affiliate | Brookings Blizzard (NAHL) |
| Website | Blizzard website |
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 |
References
- "Owner sees Alexandria Blizzard thriving in the 3HL". NA3HL. April 25, 2012.
- "Blizzard to relocate to Brookings, South Dakota for 2012-13 season". NA3HL. April 23, 2012.
- "Crouse ready for new era in Alexandria". NA3HL. June 1, 2012.