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Northern Manitoba Blizzard

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Northern Manitoba Blizzard
CityThe Pas
LeagueMJHL
DivisionWest
Founded1996 (1996)
Home arenaRoy H. Johnston Arena
Colours     
Owner(s)Rob & Bonnie White
General managerEric Labrosse
Head coachEric Labrosse
Websitenormanblizzard.com

The Northern Manitoba Blizzard is a Junior "A" ice hockey team from The Pas, Manitoba, Canada. They are members of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League, a part of the Canadian Junior Hockey League and Hockey Canada. As announced by the Blizzard in June 2024, the team is now owned by local residents Rob and Bonnie White. Blizzard games are broadcast on local radio station CJAR 102.9 FM and can also be heard online at thepasonline.com.[1]

History

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The Blizzard were founded in 1996 by the Opaskwayak Cree Nation. The team was a year in the making with the Cree Nation's goal to enter the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL). Their hockey development and recreation department spent many months prior getting the community members on board through community meetings and house to house visits. Boh Kubrakovich, Jim Smith and Nathan McGillivary spent time working with the SJHL prior to entering their current league, the Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL).

The Blizzard name and jersey was styled after the Utica Blizzard of the Colonial Hockey League. It was through a Blizzard like snow storm that the new directors of the team made it to Winnipeg to announce the team. During the press conference the directors decided to call the team the OCN (Opaskwayak Cree Nation) Blizzard.

Founding directors were James Smith, Chief Frances Flett, Gordon Lathlin, Gilbert Lathlin, Nathan McGillivary and recreation director/director of hockey Boh Kubrakovich. They selected Gardiner MacDougall as their first head coach and director of hockey. Leonard Strandberg was then hired as the general manager in 1996. Wayne Hawrysh was also a large contributor to the formation of the Club, acting over his tenure as a founder, governor, assistant coach, marketing director, and more.

From the 1998–99 season until 2002–03, the Blizzard became the second team in MJHL history and the first team in over sixty years to win five straight Turnbull Cup titles as MJHL playoff champions. At the ANAVET Cup regional tournament, in succession, the Blizzard lost to the SJHL's Estevan Bruins in 1999, to the Battlefords North Stars in 2000, the Weyburn Red Wings in 2001, defeated the Kindersley Klippers in 2002, and then lost in 2003 to the Humboldt Broncos. By winning the ANAVET Cup in 2002 the Blizzard earned them the right to compete in the 2002 Royal Bank Cup. They finished the Junior A national championship round-robin with a 2–2 record. In the semi-final OCN defeated the British Columbia Hockey League's Chilliwack Chiefs 4–3. They would go on to lose in the national final to the Halifax Exports 3–1.

In December 2016, the OCN council declared its intention to cease team operations following the 2016–17 season.[2] The Blizzard board of directors were later granted permission to operate the team for another season, but without funding from the band council.[3]

In 2018 a pair of businessmen, brothers Salman Safdar Dhillon and Usman Tahir Dhillon, jumped in to save the club. A proposal was presented in front of elected chief and council of Opaskwayak Cree Nation and it was unanimously approved and a sale agreement was signed.[4][5][6] That sale was brought before the MJHL board of governors and after meeting a few more conditions was approved.[7][8]

In 2024, the team was sold to Rob & Bonnie White, of The Pas, Manitoba, and the team name was changed to Northern Manitoba Blizzard.[9][10]

List of championships

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Championship Years won
Turnbull Cup 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003
ANAVET Cup 2002

Season-by-season record

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Blizzard statistics
Season GP W L T T/OTL Pts GF GA Finish Playoffs
1996–97 55 32 18 4 1 274 228 69 2nd MJHL Lost final
1997–98 61 42 18 1 0 285 202 85 2nd MJHL Lost semi-final
1998–99 62 53 7 1 1 401 149 108 1st MJHL Won league
1999–00 64 44 16 — 4 305 194 92 1st MJHL Won league
2000–01 64 50 10 — 4 334 192 104 1st MJHL Won league
2001–02 64 56 6 — 3 379 149 115 1st MJHL Won league, won ANAVET Cup
2002–03 63 54 8 — 1 380 160 109 1st MJHL Won league
2003–04 64 46 10 — 8 355 177 100 1st MJHL Lost quarter-final
2004–05 63 29 22 — 12 221 221 70 5th MJHL Lost quarter-final
2005–06 63 37 17 — 9 232 181 83 2nd MJHL Lost final
2006–07 63 16 35 — 12 223 281 44 10th MJHL Did not qualify
2007–08 62 22 36 — 4 204 272 48 9th MJHL Did not qualify
2008–09 62 32 22 — 8 214 211 72 5th MJHL Lost quarter-final
2009–10 62 24 30 — 8 181 202 56 9th MJHL Did not qualify
2010–11 62 34 18 — 10 182 164 78 5th MJHL Lost quarter-final
2011–12 61 31 23 — 7 176 183 69 7th MJHL Lost semi-final
2012–13 60 39 16 — 5 226 193 83 3rd MJHL Lost semi-final
2013–14 60 21 34 — 5 171 235 47 8th MJHL Lost quarter-final
2014–15 60 20 35 — 5 167 203 45 10th MJHL Lost survivor series
2015–16 60 27 30 — 3 185 214 57 6th MJHL Lost quarter-final
2016–17 60 39 17 — 4 200 153 82 3rd MJHL Lost final
2017–18 60 32 20 — 8 209 192 72 4th MJHL Lost quarter-final
2018–19 60 18 40 — 2 153 258 38 10th MJHL Did not qualify
2019–20 60 16 39 — 5 158 251 37 10th MJHL Did not qualify
2020–21 6 1 4 — 1 23 32 3 11th MJHL Cancelled
2021–22 54 18 29 — 7 148 226 43 11th MJHL Did not qualify
2022-23 58 33 19 - 6 201 157 72 5th MJHL Lost quarter-final
2023–24 58 39 15 1 3 186 134 82 2nd of 6
4th of 13 MJHL		 Won Div Semifinal 4-3 (Dauphin Kings)
Lost Semifinals 3-4 (Steinbach Pistons)

Source: "OCN Blizzard hockey team statistics and history". hockeydb.com. Retrieved 22 September 2024.

Playoffs

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  • 1997 Lost final
OCN Blizzard defeated Portage Terriers 4-games-to-1
OCN Blizzard defeated Winkler Flyers 4-games-to-none
St. James Canadians defeated OCN Blizzard 4-games-to-1
  • 1998 Lost semi-final
OCN Blizzard defeated Portage Terriers 4-games-to-2
Winkler Flyers defeated OCN Blizzard 4-games-to-1
OCN Blizzard defeated Dauphin Kings 4-games-to-none
OCN Blizzard defeated Winkler Flyers 4-games-to-1
OCN Blizzard defeated Winnipeg South Blues 4-games-to-none MJHL CHAMPIONS
Estevan Bruins (SJHL) defeated OCN Blizzard 4-games-to-2
OCN Blizzard defeated Swan Valley Stampeders
OCN Blizzard defeated Dauphin Kings 4-games-to-none
OCN Blizzard defeated Winnipeg South Blues 4-games-to-1 MJHL CHAMPIONS
Battlefords North Stars (SJHL) defeated OCN Blizzard 4-games-to-1
OCN Blizzard defeated Swan Valley Stampeders 4-games-to-1
OCN Blizzard defeated Neepawa Natives 4-games-to-1
OCN Blizzard defeated Winkler Flyers 4-games-to-none MJHL CHAMPIONS
Weyburn Red Wings (SJHL) defeated OCN Blizzard 4-games-to-2
OCN Blizzard defeated Swan Valley Stampeders 4-games-to-none
OCN Blizzard defeated Portage Terriers 4-games-to-3
OCN Blizzard defeated Winkler Flyers 4-games-to-none MJHL CHAMPIONS
OCN Blizzard defeated Kindersley Klippers (SJHL) 4-games-to-1 ANAVET CUP CHAMPIONS
Third in 2002 Royal Bank Cup round robin (2-2)
OCN Blizzard defeated Chilliwack Chiefs (BCHL) 4-3 in semi-final
Halifax Oland Exports (MJAHL) defeated OCN Blizzard 3-1 in final
OCN Blizzard defeated Dauphin Kings 4-games-to-none
OCN Blizzard defeated Portage Terriers 4-games-to-1
OCN Blizzard defeated Southeast Blades 4-games-to-none MJHL CHAMPIONS
Humboldt Broncos (SJHL) defeated OCN Blizzard 4-games-to-1
  • 2004 Lost quarter-final
Portage Terriers defeated OCN Blizzard 4-games-to-none
  • 2005 Lost quarter-final
Portage Terriers defeated OCN Blizzard 4-games-to-2
  • 2006 Lost final
OCN Blizzard defeated Swan Valley Stampeders 4-games-to-1
OCN Blizzard defeated Dauphin Kings 4-games-to-3
Winnipeg South Blues defeated OCN Blizzard 4-games-to-1
  • 2009 Lost quarter-final
Dauphin Kings defeated OCN Blizzard 4-games-to-2
  • 2011 Lost quarter-final
Dauphin Kings defeated OCN Blizzard 4-games-to-3
  • 2012 Lost semi-final
OCN Blizzard defeated Swan Valley Stampeders 4-games-to-2
Winnipeg Saints defeated OCN Blizzard 4-games-to-2
  • 2013 Lost semi-final
OCN Blizzard defeated Swan Valley Stampeders 4-games-to-1
Dauphin Kings defeated OCN Blizzard 4-games-to-3
  • 2014 Lost quarter-final
OCN Blizzard defeated Waywayseecappo Wolverines 2-games-to-1
Dauphin Kings defeated OCN Blizzard 4-games-to-0
  • 2015 Lost Survivor Series
Selkirk Steelers defeated OCN Blizzard 2-games-to-0
  • 2016 Lost quarter-final
Winkler Flyers defeated OCN Blizzard 4-games-to-1
  • 2017 Lost final
OCN Blizzard defeated Winnipeg Blues 4-games-to-1
OCN Blizzard defeated Winkler Flyers 4-games-to-0
Portage Terriers defeated OCN Blizzard 4-games-to-2
  • 2018 Lost quarter-final
Winkler Flyers defeated OCN Blizzard 4-games-to-2
  • 2019 DNQ
  • 2020 DNQ
  • 2021 Playoffs cancelled[11]
  • 2022 DNQ
  • 2023 Lost quarter-final
Virden Oil Capitals defeated OCN Blizzard 4-games-to-2

Retired numbers

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  • #10 Gary Constant Jr.
  • #18 Cliff Duschesne
  • #22 Terence Tootoo

Notable alumni

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Many players have used the OCN Blizzard as a stepping stone into a career in the professional leagues across Canada, the United States, and Europe.

Name Team(s)
Ryan Constant Hartford Wolfpack (AHL)
Josh Elmes Rapid City Rush (ECHL)
Derek Ernest Wheeling Nailers (ECHL)
Andrew Gallant Elmira Jackals (ECHL)
Mike Gooch Wheeling Nailers (ECHL)
Kristjan Jefkins Victoria Salmon Kings (ECHL)/Amsterdam Tijgers (BeNe League)
Darcy Johnson Long Beach Ice Dogs (ECHL)
Brady Keeper Florida Panthers (NHL)
Charles Lachance Tulsa Oilers (ECHL)
Steve MacIntyre Edmonton Oilers (NHL)
Jon Mirasty Syracuse Crunch (AHL)/HC Vityaz (KHL)
Konrad McKay Bridgeport Sound Tigers (AHL)
Chris Murphy Greenville Grrrowl (ECHL)
Jamie Muswagon Wheeling Nailers (ECHL)
Mike Ouellet Long Beach Ice Dogs (ECHL)/VisbyRoma
Ryan Person Greenville Grrrowl (ECHL)
Russell Spence Greenville Grrrowl (ECHL)/RT Bad Nauheim
Jordin Tootoo Chicago Blackhawks (NHL)
Terence Tootoo Roanoke Express (ECHL)
Dale Warkentin Bakersfield Condors (ECHL)
Wally Wuttunee Wheeling Nailers (ECHL)

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Junior Hockey Broadcasts". thepasonline.com. Arctic Radio. Retrieved 22 September 2024.
  2. ^ "MJHL still hopeful OCN Blizzard can be saved". Winnipeg Free Press. 22 December 2016.
  3. ^ "OCN Blizzard will play next season". The Reminder. 12 March 2017.
  4. ^ "Opaskwayak Cree Nation selling junior hockey team". CBC Manitoba. 21 January 2019.
  5. ^ "OCN Blizzard sale awaits league governors' vote". Winnipeg Free Press. 21 January 2019.
  6. ^ "OCN junior club sold to locally-based ownership group". The Reminder. 25 January 2019.
  7. ^ "Businessmen in The Pas buy MJHL's troubled OCN Blizzard franchise". Winnipeg Free Press. 15 May 2019.
  8. ^ "New ownership for OCN Blizzard confirmed". The Reminder. 25 May 2019.
  9. ^ Duff, Darnell (24 July 2024). "Blizzard Reveal New Name". 730 CKDM. Retrieved 22 September 2024.
  10. ^ "New Ownership for Blizzard Junior A Hockey Club". The Blizzard Junior A Hockey Club (Press release). Retrieved 5 July 2024.
  11. ^ "MJHL cancels remainder for the 2020-21 season". Discover Westman. 12 February 2021.

Further reading

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