South East Prairie Thunder

South East Prairie Thunder
CityWinnipeg, Manitoba
DivisionSenior AAA
Founded2004
Folded2020
ColorsBlue, Green, White
     
Franchise history
2004 - 2006Grunthal Red Wings
2006 - 2020South East Prairie Thunder
Championships
Playoff championships2012 Allan Cup
2015 Allan Cup

The South East Prairie Thunder were a Canadian Senior 'AAA' ice hockey team based out of Winnipeg, Manitoba and two-time Allan Cup champions.[1] They played an independent schedule under the jurisdiction of Hockey Manitoba. The team is inactive as of 2021.[citation needed]

History

The team was founded in 2004 as the Grunthal Red Wings and based out of Grunthal, Manitoba. The Red Wings became the Southeast Prairie Thunder, relocating to Steinbach in 2006 and playing out of the T.G. Smith Centre from 2006 to 2017. Since then, the team has played its home games at the Seven Oaks and Wayne Fleming Arenas in Winnipeg.[2][3]

The team have made nine appearances at the Allan Cup, Canada's national senior 'AAA' championship. Their first was at the 2009 Allan Cup, which was played in Steinbach, but hosted by their local rivals, the Steinbach North Stars. The Prairie Thunder advanced to the final, but lost 4-3 in double overtime to the Bentley Generals.

Three years later, the Thunder captured their first national title at the 2012 Allan Cup in Lloydminster, Saskatchewan.[2][4] They claimed their second national title at the 2015 Allan Cup in Clarenville, Newfoundland and Labrador, defeating Bentley in the final by a score of 2-0.[5]

The Prairie Thunder also participated in the 2010, 2011, 2014, 2017, 2018, and 2019 Allan Cups. The Prairie Thunder hosted the 2016 Allan Cup in Steinbach, where they finished runner-up to the Generals.[6]

Over the years, the team's roster included former professional players such as Terry Yake, Brad Purdie, Justin Kurtz, Ryan Garbutt, Ian White, Mark Stuart, Ryan Bonni, and Steve Christie.[7][8]

The Prairie Thunder have not fielded a team since the COVID-19 pandemic ended their 2019-20 season.

See also

References

  1. ^ Daniel Nugent-Bowman (April 23, 2012). "Southeast Prairie Thunder finally bring Allan Cup home to Steinbach". Winnipeg Free Press.
  2. ^ a b Larry Fisher (April 22, 2012). "Southeast Prairie Thunder roll to Allan Cup title". The Globe and Mail.
  3. ^ Kirk Penton (April 12, 2009). "Piece of Canadiana comes to Steinbach". Slam! Sports. Archived from the original on January 15, 2013.
  4. ^ Ken Wiebe (April 21, 2012). "Allan Cup coming home". Winnipeg Sun.
  5. ^ "South East Prairie Thunder win 2015 Allan Cup". Hockey Canada. April 18, 2015.
  6. ^ Braun, Daryl (September 5, 2014). "2016 Allan Cup Confirmed In Steinbach". SteinbachOnline.com.
  7. ^ "South East Prairie Thunder roster". Hockey Manitoba. Retrieved November 9, 2014.
  8. ^ Frey, Terry (March 6, 2020). "Prairie Thunder look to wrap up Allan-Cup berth". The Carillon.