GP Storm (Image Credit: EGP Staff)

By Tanner Smith

GP Storm

Grande Prairie Storm ready for another push to AJHL final

Mar 19, 2026 | 12:49 PM

The Grande Prairie Storm start round one of the AJHL playoffs on Friday, Mar. 20, at home against the Lloydminster Bobcats.

The playoff bracket up north is the exact same as last season, according to Storm Head Coach Chris Schmidt; when the Storm lost the AJHL final to Calgary after sweeping their previous two series against Lloyd and Whitecourt.

“Well, we finished second to Whitecourt this year in the North, just ahead of Lloyd. So that’s who we got in the first round, Lloydminster and then if we were to win, we’d play the winner between Whitecourt and Fort McMurray. That would kind of determine the North. South does its own thing and then the winner of the North plays the winner of the South for the AJHL final,” said Schmidt.

He adds that all teams up north have improved since last season, and doesn’t “think there will be an easy series this year.”

Heading into these playoffs, it will be the last ride for a number of players, including the entire Storm leadership group, and the club’s longest tenured players, Will Harris and Zachary Wilson, who have been with the Storm since 2022.

During their time, they have been a part of several big moments for the club: three playoff births, league-leading and record-breaking attendance, and, most recently, setting a franchise home win record this year with 24, thanks to their final regular-season game against Drayton Valley.

However, Coach Schmidt says for now, the senior group and the rest of the team are focused on things happening on the 200-foot surface; “I think they’re aware of it, but I don’t think they dwell on it. I think it’s just something that they know that’s coming, right? At the end of the regular season, they get honoured as graduating players, so they know it’s coming. But I think once that puck drops, you’re just playing hockey.”

So far this season, the Storm took five-of-six against Lloyd, but “all of them close, one to a shootout, one to overtime, and a couple one-goal games”; however, Coach Schmidt believes the experience the veteran group brings along with the skill the Storm have all over their line-up will be the difference-maker in not only this series but throughout playoffs:

Schmidt adds that both the Coaching staff and team are very thankful for the community’s suppourt, especially after leading the AJHL in attendance for a third straight year.

Game 1 of the Storm’s first-round series with the Bobcats is set for tomorrow (Friday, Mar. 20) at 7 p.m., with Game 2 set for Saturday, Mar. 21 at 6 p.m.