Indiana Blizzard
The Indiana Blizzard was a professional ice hockey team based in Dyer, Indiana. The team was a member of the All American Hockey League and began its inaugural season in October 2009 as the Detroit Hitmen. The Blizzard played their home games at the Midwest Training & Ice Center Arena.
| Indiana Blizzard | |
|---|---|
 | |
| City | Dyer, Indiana |
| League | All American Hockey League |
| Founded | 2009 |
| Home arena | Midwest Training & Ice Center Arena |
| Colors | Black, Light Blue, White |
| Head coach | Jimi Simmons |
| Franchise history | |
| 2010– 2011 | Indiana Blizzard |
| 2009– 2010 | West Michigan Blizzard |
| 2009 | Detroit Hitmen |
| Championships | |
| Regular season titles | 0 |
| Playoff championships | 0 |
History
The West Michigan Blizzard started their inaugural season in October 2009 as the Detroit Hitmen, located in Fraser, Michigan. Due to the financial issues, the team was relocated to Norton Shores, Michigan on December 17, 2009. Matt Wiedenhoeft was the founding partner of the Hitmen, who orchestrated the relocation to the Muskegon, Michigan's L.C. Walker Arena.[1] Their name was changed to the West Michigan Blizzard.
In September 2010, the team announced their relocation to Dyer, Indiana due to the inability for a new ice arena to get built in Norton Shores. After the relocation, the team changed their name to the Indiana Blizzard.[2] Their new arena was at the Midwest Ice Center.[3][4] Despite their new home, the team ceased operations in 2011.
Season-by-season record
| Season | GP | W | L | OTL | SL | PTS | PCT | GF | GA | PIM | Home | Away | Season Standing | Playoff Result |
| 2009–10 | 40 | 26 | 13 | 00 | 01 | 53 | .65 | 83 | 54 | 195 | 15–5–0–0 | 11–8–0–1 | 4th | Lost in Championship Game |
Glossary: GP= Games played, W= Wins, L= Losses, OTL= Over Time Losses, SL= Shootout Losses, PTS= Points, PCT= Winning Percentage, GF= Goals For, GA= Goals Against, PIM= Penalty Minutes
Roster
Forwards | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| # | Player | Pos. | Shoots | Height | Weight | Place of Birth | |
| 4 |  |
Ryan Webb | F | R | 5 ft 10 in | 180 lb. | Roseville, Michigan, United States |
| 5 | |
Zachary Kane | F | R | Jamestown, New York, United States | ||
| 7 | |
Greg Eggelston | F | R | 5 ft 8 in | 200 lb. | Indianapolis, Indiana, United States |
| 8 | |
Jose Vasquez | F | R | 6 ft 3 in | 205 lb. | Shelby Township, Michigan, United States |
| 98 | |
Roger Recsh | F | R | 7 ft 1 in | 220 lb. | Sheboygan, Wisconsin, United States |
| 11 | |
Andrew Sanders | F | L | 6 ft 1 in | 200 lb. | Salem, Oregon, United States |
| 12 | |
Charles Harvey | F | R | 6 ft 0 in | 175 lb. | Columbus, Ohio, United States |
| 17 | |
Peter Pritchett | F | R | 6 ft 3 in | 225 lb. | Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States |
| 20 | |
Scott O'Connor | F | R | 5 ft 9 in | 180 lb. | Marysville, Michigan, United States |
| 25 | |
Bill Vitale | F | R | 5 ft 10 in | 175 lb. | Laurel Springs, New Jersey, United States |
Defensemen | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| # | Player | Pos. | Shoots | Height | Weight | Place of Birth | |
| 2 | |
B.J. Belliotti | D | L | 5 ft 9 in | 180 lb. | Waterford, Michigan, United States |
| 18 | |
Emory Lovse | D | R | 5 ft 9 in | 165 lb. | Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States |
| 19 | |
Bradley Bohlinger | D | R | 5 ft 11 in | 190 lb. | St. Clair Shores, Michigan, United States |
| 22 | |
Ryan Sexsmith | D | R | 5 ft 11 in | 210 lb. | Dearborn, Michigan, United States |
| 23 | |
Matt Mosley | D | R | 5 ft 10 in | 190 lb. | Trenton, Michigan, United States |
| 24 | |
Brett Aimone | D | R | 6 ft 0 in | 200 lb. | Toms River, New Jersey, United States |
| 51 | |
Dan Olesky | D | R | 5 ft 11 in | 230 lb. | Chesterfield, Michigan, United States |
Goaltenders | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| # | Player | Pos. | Catches | Height | Weight | Place of Birth | ||
| 1 | .svg.png.webp){kind=small} |
Matt Kinsella | G | R | Toronto, Ontario, Canada | |||
| 74 | |
Nortan Ali | G | L | 5 ft 6 in | 160 lb. | Ferndale, Michigan, United States | |
References
- Rop, Ron (December 18, 2009). "AAHL team makes Walker Arena new home". mlive.com. Retrieved January 30, 2018.
- "Indiana Blizzard Comes Alive". Archived from the original on 2010-09-18. Retrieved 2010-09-15.
- Rop, Ron (September 15, 2010). "West Michigan Blizzard find a hockey home in Indiana". mlive.com. Retrieved January 30, 2018.
- Burbridge, John (September 18, 2010). "Indiana Blizzard pro hockey team finds new home at Midwest Ice Center". nwitimes.com. St John. Retrieved January 30, 2018.