Manitoba Blizzard

Last updated
Winnipeg Blizzard
Founded2010
League Rocky Mountain Lacrosse League
Division RMLL East
Team historyManitoba Blizzard (2010–2024)
Winnipeg Blizzard (2024–Present)
Based inWinnipeg, Manitoba
ArenaNotre Dame Arena
General managerTerry Williams
Championships3 (2016, 2017, 2024)
Division titles7 (2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022, 2023, 2024)

Winnipeg Blizzard are a Junior B box lacrosse team based in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The Blizzard compete in the Rocky Mountain Lacrosse League.

Contents

History

Formed in 2010 as the Manitoba Gryphons, the team was the first Manitoba-based team to join the Rocky Mountain Lacrosse League. After a two-year probationary period the Gryphons were granted full league membership for the 2012 season in which they finished 10-9-0, sixth best in the 10-team league. They Gryphons were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs.

The Gryphons hosted Founders Cup 2013 [1] in Winnipeg finishing in fifth place. The team would see ownership/management changes in the off-season and were renamed the Blizzard. The club also relocated from their original home in Oakbank to Notre Dame Arena and further to Maples Community Centre.

As the lone Junior B team in the province, the Blizzard annually represent Manitoba at Founders Cup. The team has played for the Bronze medal on four occasions falling short each time.

It hosted the Founders Cup 2019 in Winnipeg.

In 2024, the team was renamed the Winnipeg Blizzard to drop the "Manitoba" name at the provinces request.

The team went on to win the 2024 Larry Bishop Memorial Trophy in Airdrie, Alberta.

Season-by-season

Manitoba Gryphons/Blizzard
SeasonWLTPtsGFGAFinishPlayoffsFounders Cup finish
2011770141271305th of 6 SouthNot eligible4th - Lost vs Saskatchewan SWAT
20121090201702014th of 6 SouthLost vs Calgary Shamrocks (2-1)7th
20131271251891743rd of 6 SouthWon vs Calgary Chill (2-0); Lost vs Calgary Mountaineers (2-0)5th
20141370262071803rd of 6 SouthDNQ4th - Lost vs Nova Scotia
20151460282091452nd of 5 NorthWon vs Edmonton Warriors (2-1); Round robin (2-1); Won vs Calgary Chill; Lost vs Saskatchewan SWAT

League Finalists

5th
20161550302351513rd of 6 SouthWon vs SWAT (2-0); Round robin (2-1); Won vs Red Deer Rampage; Won vs Chill [2] [3] - Champion8th
20171820362471701st of 6 NorthRound robin (2-1); Won vs Chill; Won vs Rampage [4] [5] - Champion4th - Lost vs Seneca WarChiefs
20181820362461161st of 3 EastWon vs SWAT (2-0); Round robin (1-3)4th - Lost vs Coquitlam Adanacs
20191370262031891st of 3 EastWon vs SWAT (2-0); Round robin (2-2)4th - Lost vs Coquitlam Adanacs
20221190222132111st of 3

East

Won vs Kings (2-1); Round robin (0-4)Did not attend
20231370262391792nd of 3

East

Won vs Kings (2-0); Round robin (3-1); Lost vs Warriors

League Finalists

Did not attend
20241361272111532nd of 3

East

Won vs Kings (2-0); Round robin (3-1); Won vs Mavericks - Champion6th - Lost vs Mountainview Mavericks

Founders Cup

CANADIAN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

YearRound RobinRecord
W-L-T		StandingSemifinal5th Place GameBronze Medal GameGold Medal Game
2015
Calgary, AB 		L, Akwesasne Indians 8-15
L, Seneca WarChiefs 6-19
OTW, Calgary Mountaineers 7-6
L, Coquitlam Adanacs 7-10
L, Saskatchewan SWAT 3-15
OTW, Calgary Chill 11-10		2-4-05th of 7W, Saskatchewan SWAT 9-6
2016
Orangeville, ON 		L, Seneca WarChiefs 8-12
L, Orangeville Northmen 3-9
OTL, Coquitlam Adanacs 9-10
L, Clarington Green Gaels 1-15		0-3-14th of 4
Pool B		L, Team Nova Scotia 13-6L, Coquitlam Adanacs 9-12
2017
Saskatoon, SK 		L, Red Deer Rampage 9-11
L, Orangeville Northmen 8-12
W, Saskatchewan SWAT 16-15
W, Coquitlam Adanacs 14-11
L, Red Deer Rampage 7-10		2-3-04th of 6 L, Seneca WarChiefs 8-15
2018
Akwesasne 		W, Saskatchewan SWAT 10-6
L, Elora Mohawks 8-17
W, Mohawks Medicine Men 13-7		2-1-02nd of 3
Pool A		OTL, Calgary Shamrocks 8-9L, Coquitlam Adanacs 8-9
2019
Winnipeg, MB 		W, North Shore Kodiaks 16-13
W, Seneca WarChiefs 11-10
L, Calgary Shamrocks 5-13
W, Saskatchewan SWAT 11-8
L, Six Nations Rebels 3-16
L, Coquitlam Adanacs 5-11		3-3-04th of 7L, Coquitlam Adanacs 4-7
2024 Airdrie, AB2-23rd of 4 Pool AW, Nova Scotia Privateers

7-6

L, Mountainview Mavericks

5-11

References

  1. ↑ "Gryphons about more than lacrosse". Winnipeg Free Press. August 20, 2013.
  2. ↑ "Ritchie brothers help Blizzard capture lacrosse league championship". Thompson Citizen. August 10, 2016.
  3. ↑ "Manitoba Blizzard ready to defend Rocky Mountain Lacrosse League title". Global News. April 26, 2017.
  4. ↑ "Blizzard win second lacrosse championship". Winnipeg Free Press. September 11, 2017.
  5. ↑ "Thompson athletes lead Manitoba Blizzard to victory yet again". Thompson Citizen. August 15, 2017.
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