Island Storm

The Island Storm is an inactive Canadian professional basketball team based in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. The team is a charter member of the National Basketball League of Canada that began play in the 2011–12 season. The Storm plays its home games at the Eastlink Centre. Former Vermont Frost Heaves head coach Joe Salerno served as the team's head coach for the first six seasons until he parted ways with the team in May 2017.[1] In 2021, the Storm were granted a one-year leave of absence after they were the last remaining team based in the Maritimes.[2]

Island Storm
Island Storm logo
LeaguesNBL Canada
Founded2011
HistorySummerside Storm
(2011–2013)
Island Storm
(2013–2020)
ArenaEastlink Centre
Capacity4,000 (basketball configuration)
LocationCharlottetown, Prince Edward Island
Team coloursBlue, orange
   
Head coachTim Kendrick
Websitewww.stormbasketball.ca

History

The Storm were established in 2011 and made their debut in the inaugural 2011–12 NBL Canada season. It is owned by Prince Edward Island resident Duncan Shaw, who played a major role in founding the league. Initially, it was unclear whether it would be based in the island's cities of Charlottetown or Summerside.[3][4] However, it was later confirmed that the team would play their home games in Summerside, specifically at the Credit Union Place. NBL Canada president and co-founder Andre Levingston praised the co-owners at the announcement, "We want the right individuals who are going to bring you the very best, because you deserve the very best. That is why we have these two gentlemen here."[5] Comparing Prince Edward Island's low population to the relatively sparsely populated Green Bay, Wisconsin, MacKay said, "We're going to be the Green Bay Packers of basketball."[4]

A name-the-team contest that was sponsored by several newspapers was held to determine the Summerside basketball team's nickname. After receiving more than 400 entries, it was announced that they would be called the "Storm." According to McKay, it was chosen because "it's short, to the point and it has so much opportunity to play on the name and market the team."[6] He also said it worked well through alliteration. The nickname was suggested by 14 people.[6] A contest to determine the Storm's mascot name, sponsored by Basketball PEI and Greco Pizza Restaurant, was held in September 2011.[7]

Home arenas
Main article: Eastlink Centre

Originally opened in 1990, the Eastlink Centre is a sports-entertainment arena in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada. The arena has a capacity of 4,000 when set up for basketball. The Storm share the arena with the Charlottetown Islanders of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.[8]

Players

Current roster

Note: Flags indicate national team eligibility at FIBA-sanctioned events. Players may hold other non-FIBA nationality not displayed.

Island Storm roster
PlayersCoaches
Pos.No.Nat.NameHt.Wt.Age
G 10 Canada Campbell, Alex 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 30 – (1993-01-21)21 January 1993
PF 15 Canada Diankulu, Lewis 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 215 lb (98 kg)
F 1 United States Edwards, Abrian 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 28 – (1995-04-09)9 April 1995
C 13 United States Haslem, Jailan 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 260 lb (120 kg)
SG 20 Canada Landon, Darnell 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 184 lb (83 kg)
G 24 Canada Lewis, Marcus 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 31 – (1992-02-16)16 February 1992
SF 11 United States Lillard, Antwon 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 27 – (1995-11-06)6 November 1995
G 6 United States Loyd, Johnathan 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 32 – (1991-08-15)15 August 1991
G 5 United States Robinson, Robbie 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 34 – (1989-02-01)1 February 1989
PG 3 United States Shamburger, Keith 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) 170 lb (77 kg) 30 – (1992-10-28)28 October 1992
F 7 United States Wright, Nathan 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 225 lb (102 kg)
Head coach
  • Canada Tim Kendrick
Assistant coach(es)
  • Canada Jeff Morrison
  • Canada Lonnie States
Team manager
  • Canada Frankie Beaton
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • Injured Injured
Updated: December 27, 2019

Season-by-season record
SeasonCoachRegular seasonPost season
WonLostWin %FinishWonLostWin %Result
2011–12Joe Salerno1224.3336thDid not qualify
2012–13Joe Salerno2614.6502nd45.482Lost Final
2013–14Joe Salerno2218.5502nd107.588Lost Final
2014–15Joe Salerno1913.5932nd46.400Lost Semifinal
2015–16Joe Salerno1426.3704th03.000Lost Quarterfinal
2016–17Joe Salerno1624.4003rd56.455Lost Semifinals
2017–18Tim Kendrick1921.4754th13.250Lost Div. Semifinals
2018–19Tim Kendrick1228.3005thDid not qualify
2019–20Tim Kendrick617.261Season curtailed by the COVID-19 pandemic
Totals146185.441—2430.4446 Playoff appearances

References
  1. Salerno named coach in newly formed Canadian basketball league - Burlington Free Press
  2. "NBL Canada Looks to Rebuild the Atlantic Division". OurSports Central. November 4, 2021.
  3. "Decision expected soon on pro basketball team for P.E.I." Journal Pioneer. Archived from the original on 29 May 2016. Retrieved 11 October 2015.
  4. Taber, Jane. "PEI's unlikely hotbed of pro basketball". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 11 October 2015.
  5. Simmonds, Jason. "Basketball dream comes true". Journal Pioneer. Retrieved 11 October 2015.
  6. Simmonds, Jason. "Pro basketball team will be known as Summerside Storm". Journal Pioneer. Retrieved 11 October 2015.
  7. "Summerside Storm Partner with Basketball PEI and Greco Pizza Stores Across the Island To Name Mascot" (PDF). BasketballPEI. Retrieved 11 October 2015.
  8. "General Info". CivicCentre.pe.ca. Archived from the original on 2014-02-22. Retrieved February 18, 2014.
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