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By Tanner Smith
GP Storm

GP Storm open 2026/27 campaign top of the AJHL

Oct 1, 2026 | 6:01 AM

The Grande Prairie Storm are off to a hot start in their 2026/27 campaign with a 4-1 record to end off September. The team is currently sitting atop the AJHL’s North Division and the entire league.

Over their last two seasons, the Storm have seen a lot of success, setting a new league attendance record, making a trip to the AJHL final and appearing in the Centennial Cup, but Executive Director Nicole Menzies says there aren’t any nerves around meeting expectations.

“The standard’s been set pretty high over the last couple of seasons; not only have the guys been playing some incredible hockey on the ice, but they’ve done really great work in the community and kind of getting out with kids and community organizations. Our goal is to always be the kind of team that Grande Prairie and the greater Peace Country wants to cheer for.”

Since last season, the team has seen a large turnover with only ten returning players; however, Menzies credited General Manager Mike Bomersback and the entire coaching staff for finding players with both “character and talent” who fit into the culture they have created over the past couple of seasons.

As part of that new crop, fans will notice ten players from the Peace region suiting up for the Storm this year, including starting goaltender Hudson Perry.

As part of a new regime in the Swan City, many players are experiencing the environment in Bonnetts for the first time; “Our players, they love playing in Grande Prairie, they love playing in Bonnetts Energy Center. They love playing in front of our fans and our sponsors. They love playing in front of the minor hockey kids, so I think it all ties in really well.”

However, a big part of that comes from the fans, and the organization remains committed to ensuring the fan experience remains high.

“We always want the games to be an event, so we want people to not only get some really great hockey to watch, but it also just be a fun way to spend a couple of hours.”

As part of that commitment, their next matchup against Canmore on Friday, Oct. 2, will be their annual Hockey-Hooky game.

“We’re super excited. It’s our fourth annual Hockey-Hooky game, which is the noon-time game. We’ve been providing tickets to 2,000 Peace Country Area Schools, Grande Prairie, Sexsmith, Grovedale.”

Menzies adds that many other themed nights, special jerseys and charitable initiatives will be debuted throughout the season, with talks currently ongoing with the Legion for a military night in November.

Anyone wanting more to keep up to date with the Storm, or would like to purchase tickets for a game this season, can visit their website.

by Tanner Smith