Brookings Blizzard

Brookings Blizzard
City	Brookings, South Dakota
League	NAHL
Division	Central
Founded	2003
Home arena	Larson Ice Center
Colors	Green, Blue, and White
Owner(s)	Chris and Mitri Canavati
General manager	Dan Daikawa (2014–16)
Head coach	Dan Daikawa (2014–16)
Franchise history
2003–2006	Minnesota Blizzard
2006–2012	Alexandria Blizzard
2012–present	Brookings Blizzard

The Brookings Blizzard is a Tier II Junior A ice hockey team in the North American Hockey League's (NAHL) Central Division. The Blizzard play out of the Larson Ice Center in Brookings, South Dakota. The organization is focused on helping young hockey players develop their skills and provide opportunities for them to be recruited by college and professional scouts. The team consists of players ranging in age from 16–20 years old who relocate to Brookings from all over the United States and the world. The team plays a 60-game schedule from September to March with home games being held at the Larson Ice Arena.

The team began in the 2003–04 season as the Minnesota Blizzard based in Alexandria, Minnesota.^[1] In 2006, the team was re-branded as the Alexandria Blizzard, which remained its name until the move to Brookings. While in Alexandria, the team played at the Runestone Community Center.

Season-by-season records

Season	GP	W	L	OTL	PTS	GF	GA	PIM	Finish	Playoffs
Minnesota Blizzard
2004–05	56	28	24	4	60	159	198	1,360	4th, Central	Lost 1st Round, 0-3 vs. Fargo-Moorhead Jets
2005–06	58	24	29	5	53	158	219	1,235	4th, Central	Lost 1st Round, 2-3 vs. Southern Minnesota Express
Alexandria Blizzard
2006–07	62	28	29	5	61	165	193	1,325	3rd, Central	Lost 1st Round, 2-3 vs. Southern Minnesota Express
2007–08	58	29	25	4	62	222	223	1,517	3rd, Central	Won 1st Round, 3-2 vs. Southern Minnesota Express Won 2nd Round, 3-2 vs. Springfield Jr. Blues Eliminated (0-3) in Robertson Cup Round Robin (L, 2-3 vs. Bandits; L, 2-4 vs. RoadRunners; L, 1-6 vs. Phantoms)
2008–09	58	26	26	6	58	180	201	1,215	4th, Central	Lost 1st Round, 1-3 vs. Bismarck Bobcats
2009–10	58	30	22	6	66	180	166	870	3rd, Central	Won 1st Round, 3-1 vs. Owatonna Express Lost 2nd Round, 0-3 vs. Bismarck Bobcats
2010–11	58	33	19	6	72	208	177	923	1st, Central	Lost 1st Round, 2-3 vs. Bismarck Bobcats
2011–12	60	40	15	5	85	212	156	815	2nd, Central	Lost 1st Round, 1-3 vs. Austin Bruins
Brookings Blizzard
2012–13	60	32	23	5	69	175	179	1204	3rd, Central	Lost 1st Round, 0-3 vs. Bismarck Bobcats
2013–14	60	18	34	8	44	132	206	1263	5th, Central	Did not qualify
2014–15	60	19	32	9	47	141	206	968	5th, Central	Did not qualify
2015–16	60	25	29	6	56	149	200	985	4th, Central	Lost Div. Semifinals, 1-3 vs. Bismarck Bobcats

College commitments

About one third of the NAHL roster end up committing to a NCAA school.^[2] Below are Brookings Blizzard players that have made NCAA Division I commitments.^[3]

Player	School	Conference	College Commitment
Andrle, Connor	United States Military Academy	Atlantic Hockey	2013–14
Bitz, Michael	Bemidji State University	WCHA	2012–13
Brevig, Drew	Ohio State University	Big 10	2012–13
Cavallini, Aidan	University of Wisconsin	Big 10	2012–13
Connor, Girard	United States Air Force Academy	Atlantic Hockey	2013–14
DeCenzo, Nick	United States Military Academy	Atlantic Hockey	2013–14
Gameli, Chase	Lake Superior State University	WCHA	2015–16
Gauthier, Will	Lake Superior State University	WCHA	2015–16
Hakkarainen, Mikael	Providence College	Hockey East	2017–18
Jeszka, Griff	University of Massachusetts	Hockey East	2016–17
Marooney, Cody	University of Alabama-Huntsville	WCHA	2012–13
Parker, Brandon	University of Alabama-Huntsville	WCHA	2013–14
Samec, T.J.	Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute	ECAC Hockey	2016–17
Youso, Matt	University of Nebraska-Omaha	NCHC	2013–14

External links

• Official site

References

1. "Minnesota Blizzard Statistics and History". HockeyDB. Retrieved June 3, 2015.
2. "Numbers don't lie: NAHL one of the best for NCAA commitments". NAHL. 13 June 2013. Retrieved 2014-09-24.
3. "College Commitments List: 2015-2015 Season". NAHL. Retrieved 2016-01-15.