GP Storm (Image Credit: EGP Staff)

By Tanner Smith

GP Storm

Storm giving thanks to fans as they lead Alberta Jr. A in attendance

Mar 12, 2026 | 10:52 AM

The Grande Prairie Storm led all Alberta Junior A teams in attendance this season, their third season in a row leading the AJHL.

With still two home games left in the regular season, the Storm’s total attendance sits at 36,376, with an average of 1,455 fans; that is 2,765 more than Lloydminster, which came in second in the AJHL, and 8,381 more than Spruce Grove, which was the highest Alberta team for attendance in the BCHL and sits at sixth in that league.

Storm Executive Director Nicole Menzies says Grande Prairie is a strong place for a successful Junior A program due to the lack of NHL or WHL competition and a large draw area; however, fans have exceeded expectations.

“The fact that the fans just show up day-in-and-day-out really makes Bonnett’s Energy Centre such a fun place to play. There’s always a really cool energy in here. So it’s something we’re incredibly proud of. We always strive to be the team that Grand Prairie can be proud of, and it feels really incredible to see people continue to show up for the Storm.”

“We have an incredible season ticket holder base, we have people who have been sitting in the same seats in this building for 30 years, cheering on the Storm, and that’s incredibly cool.”

So far this season, the Storm have been trying to build off previous years of success, connecting with the community by making games feel more like an event, with multiple theme nights, alternate jerseys and activities.

“That’s always our goal, that a Storm game is an event that you don’t want to miss, and not just because of the hockey game that’s happening on the ice, but we always hope that when you walk into the building, you have such a good time you want to come back again.”

Menzies says the club also has a current focus on local minor hockey to help as many people play and experience hockey as possible, which could have its own benefits for the Storm’s recruiting efforts.

“We’ve done a lot of work over the last several years trying to build up our Junior Storm development programs, offering additional opportunities for Peace Country area youth to play hockey in the spring, over the summer, in 3-on-3 draft tournaments and after-school programs.”

“We of course, always hope that somebody will come into our Junior Storm system at 6 and fall in love with the team and fall in love with the building and then when they have the choice of where to play Junior A, the Grande Prairie Storm will always be their first choice.”

She adds that they already have Storm Alumni back in the GPAC Storm system, coaching their own kids, while five Peace region natives are listed on their roster.

Grande Prairie will now wrap up another historic regular season this weekend with a back-to-back homestand against the worst team in the AJHL, the Drayton Valley Thunder, starting Friday, Mar. 13 at 7:00 p.m. and then Saturday, Mar. 14 at 6 p.m.

Standings-wise, the Storm won’t be able to claw their way to the number one spot in the North, but can fend off Lloydminster from taking second.

However, Saturday will still be an important match-up for the Storm as they will say goodbye to their 20-year-old players aging out and others moving onto to other opportunities; that includes the Storm’s leadership group made up of Captain Colin Doherty, and Assistants Chase Christensen and Zachary Wilson.