OCN Blizzard - History

History

The Blizzard were founded in 1996 by the Opaskwayak Cree Nation. Their recreation department spent many months prior getting the community members on board. They were named and their jersey was styled after the Utica Blizzard of the Colonial Hockey League. It was through a Blizzard like snow storm that the new directors of the team made it to Winnipeg to announce the team. During the press conference the directors decided to call the team the Opaskwayak Blizzard. Founding directors were James Smith, Chief Frances Flett(late), Gordon Lathlin(late), Gilbert Lathlin(Rat), Nathan McGillivray and Recreation Director/Director of Hockey Boh Kubrakovich. A search for a Head Coach and General Manager did not last long as the directors selected Gardiner MacDougall as their first choice to operate the newly established hockey club.

From the 1998-99 season until 2002-03, the Blizzard became the second team in MJHL history and the first team in over sixty years to win five straight Turnbull Cups as MJHL Playoff Champions. In the Anavet Cup Regional title, in succession, the Blizzard lost to the SJHL's Estevan Bruins in 1999, Lost to the Battlefords North Stars in 2000, the Weyburn Red Wings in 2001, defeated the Red Wings the next year, and then lost in 2003 to the Humboldt Broncos. When they won the Anavet Cup in 2002, it earned them the right to compete in Royal Bank Cup 2002. They finished the National Championship round robin with a 2-2 record. In the semi-final they defeated the BCHL's Chilliwack Chiefs 4-3, but lost in the National Final to the Halifax Exports 3-1.

Blizzard games are broadcast on local radio station CJ1240 (CJAR-AM) and can also be heard online at www.thepasonline.com. Bradley Karp is the current play-by-play announcer for the team in his first year broadcasting for the Blizzard. Past announcers are Kurtis "Huddy" Hudson, Evan Hammond, Kris Menard and Jamie Smalley