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 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 | |||
| Leagues | NBL Canada | ||
| Founded | 2011 | ||
| History | Summerside Storm (2011–2013) Island Storm (2013–2020) | ||
| Arena | Eastlink Centre | ||
| Capacity | 4,000 (basketball configuration) | ||
| Location | Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island | ||
| Team colours | Blue, orange | ||
| Head coach | Tim Kendrick | ||
| Website | www | ||
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History
editThe 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
editOriginally 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
editCurrent roster
editNote: Flags indicate national team eligibility at FIBA-sanctioned events. Players may hold other non-FIBA nationalities not displayed.
| Island Storm roster | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Players | Coaches | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Updated: December 27, 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Season-by-season record
edit| Season | Coach | Regular season | Post season | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Won | Lost | Win % | Finish | Won | Lost | Win % | Result | ||
| 2011–12 | Joe Salerno | 12 | 24 | .333 | 6th | Did not qualify | |||
| 2012–13 | Joe Salerno | 26 | 14 | .650 | 2nd | 4 | 5 | .482 | Lost Final |
| 2013–14 | Joe Salerno | 22 | 18 | .550 | 2nd | 10 | 7 | .588 | Lost Final |
| 2014–15 | Joe Salerno | 19 | 13 | .593 | 2nd | 4 | 6 | .400 | Lost Semifinal |
| 2015–16 | Joe Salerno | 14 | 26 | .370 | 4th | 0 | 3 | .000 | Lost Quarterfinal |
| 2016–17 | Joe Salerno | 16 | 24 | .400 | 3rd | 5 | 6 | .455 | Lost Semifinals |
| 2017–18 | Tim Kendrick | 19 | 21 | .475 | 4th | 1 | 3 | .250 | Lost Div. Semifinals |
| 2018–19 | Tim Kendrick | 12 | 28 | .300 | 5th | Did not qualify | |||
| 2019–20 | Tim Kendrick | 6 | 17 | .261 | Season curtailed by the COVID-19 pandemic | ||||
| Totals | 146 | 185 | .441 | — | 24 | 30 | .444 | 6 Playoff appearances | |
References
edit- ^ Salerno named coach in newly formed Canadian basketball league - Burlington Free Press
- ^ "NBL Canada Looks to Rebuild the Atlantic Division". OurSports Central. November 4, 2021.
- ^ "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.
- ^ a b Taber, Jane. "PEI's unlikely hotbed of pro basketball". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 11 October 2015.
- ^ Simmonds, Jason. "Basketball dream comes true". Journal Pioneer. Retrieved 11 October 2015.
- ^ a b Simmonds, Jason. "Pro basketball team will be known as Summerside Storm". Journal Pioneer. Retrieved 11 October 2015.
- ^ "Summerside Storm Partner with Basketball PEI and Greco Pizza Stores Across the Island To Name Mascot" (PDF). BasketballPEI. Retrieved 11 October 2015.
- ^ "General Info". CivicCentre.pe.ca. Archived from the original on 2014-02-22. Retrieved February 18, 2014.