Photo Credit: EverythingGP

By Shane Clausing

GP Storm return

Storm return home to face Kodiaks

Jan 17, 2020 | 10:46 AM

The Grande Prairie Storm return home tonight for a quick one game homestand, as they welcome in the Camrose Kodiaks.

The squad is coming off a three games in three days road trip, that saw them drop two games to the Drayton Valley Thunder, and defeat the best team in the AJHL North Division, the Sherwood Park Crusaders.

The past week saw some new additions to the team. The Storm acquired Carter Coles and Max Giangualano from the Canmore Eagles via trade, and they also signed defenceman Jack Zayat from the Brandon Wheat Kings.

All players saw action on the road trip this past weekend.

“Max is definitely going to be a close fan favorite. He’s dynamic, hard working and very gritty. He’s very energetic and has a great personality,” said Interim Head Coach Ryan Aasman. “Carter Coles on the backend has been really steady for us. He’s mobile, plays a quiet game and makes a really efficient first pass. Jack’s a guy that comes to us as a young d-man. He likes to compete down low, he’s mobile and makes a good first pass. He comes to us with not a lot of confidence, but so far, he keeps growing every single day and we’re excited to work with him. We definitely feel our roster got better.”

The Storm also announced two new assistant captains on Wednesday. Local product Brenden Kwiatkowski, and Brody Dale will have an A on their jerseys for the remainder of the season.

“I found out right before the last road swing,” said Kwiatkowski. “I was excited to get the honor of wearing the assistant in Grande Prairie, obviously always watching them when I was younger it was quite an honor.

Meanwhile, the Camrose Kodiaks come into Friday nights game sitting fourth in the AJHL South Division with 45 points. The team has been on a up and down since the holiday break, however they were able to defeat the AJHL’s top team, the Brooks Bandits.

“They got good goaltending, some skilled forwards and they are well coached,” said Aasman. “They’ll be highly detailed, very structured and able to attack off of the rush. We feel as a staff that they boys are prepped after three really good practice days, but once game time comes it’s time for them to execute their habits and find a way to win a hockey game. The expectation is to get two points.”

Puck drop for tonight’s game is set for 7:30 p.m. at Revolution Place.