Island Storm

Island Storm
Island Storm logo
LeaguesNBL Canada
Founded2011
HistorySummerside Storm
(2011–2013)
Island Storm
(2013–2020)
ArenaEastlink Centre
Capacity4,000 (basketball configuration)
LocationCharlottetown, Prince Edward Island
Team coloursBlue, orange
   
Head coachTim Kendrick
Websitewww.stormbasketball.ca

The Island Storm is an inactive Canadian professional basketball team based in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. The team is a charter member of the National Basketball League of Canada that began play in the 2011–12 season. The Storm plays its home games at the Eastlink Centre. Former Vermont Frost Heaves head coach Joe Salerno served as the team's head coach for the first six seasons until he parted ways with the team in May 2017.[1] In 2021, the Storm were granted a one-year leave of absence after they were the last remaining team based in the Maritimes.[2]

History

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The Storm were established in 2011 and made their debut in the inaugural 2011–12 NBL Canada season. It is owned by Prince Edward Island resident Duncan Shaw, who played a major role in founding the league. Initially, it was unclear whether it would be based in the island's cities of Charlottetown or Summerside.[3][4] However, it was later confirmed that the team would play their home games in Summerside, specifically at the Credit Union Place. NBL Canada president and co-founder Andre Levingston praised the co-owners at the announcement, "We want the right individuals who are going to bring you the very best, because you deserve the very best. That is why we have these two gentlemen here."[5] Comparing Prince Edward Island's low population to the relatively sparsely populated Green Bay, Wisconsin, MacKay said, "We're going to be the Green Bay Packers of basketball."[4]

A name-the-team contest that was sponsored by several newspapers was held to determine the Summerside basketball team's nickname. After receiving more than 400 entries, it was announced that they would be called the "Storm." According to McKay, it was chosen because "it's short, to the point and it has so much opportunity to play on the name and market the team."[6] He also said it worked well through alliteration. The nickname was suggested by 14 people.[6] A contest to determine the Storm's mascot name, sponsored by Basketball PEI and Greco Pizza Restaurant, was held in September 2011.[7]

Home arenas

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Main article: Eastlink Centre

Originally opened in 1990, the Eastlink Centre is a sports-entertainment arena in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada. The arena has a capacity of 4,000 when set up for basketball. The Storm share the arena with the Charlottetown Islanders of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.[8]

Players

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Current roster

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Note: Flags indicate national team eligibility at FIBA-sanctioned events. Players may hold other non-FIBA nationalities not displayed.

Island Storm roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Nat. Name Ht. Wt. Age
G 10 Canada Campbell, Alex 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 31 – (1993-01-21)21 January 1993
PF 15 Canada Diankulu, Lewis 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 215 lb (98 kg)
F 1 United States Edwards, Abrian 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 29 – (1995-04-09)9 April 1995
C 13 United States Haslem, Jailan 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 260 lb (120 kg)
SG 20 Canada Landon, Darnell 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 184 lb (83 kg)
G 24 Canada Lewis, Marcus 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 32 – (1992-02-16)16 February 1992
SF 11 United States Lillard, Antwon 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 29 – (1995-11-06)6 November 1995
G 6 United States Loyd, Johnathan 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 33 – (1991-08-15)15 August 1991
G 5 United States Robinson, Robbie 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 35 – (1989-02-01)1 February 1989
PG 3 United States Shamburger, Keith 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) 170 lb (77 kg) 32 – (1992-10-28)28 October 1992
F 7 United States Wright, Nathan 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 225 lb (102 kg)
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
  • Canada Jeff Morrison
  • Canada Lonnie States
Team manager
  • Canada Frankie Beaton
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • Injured Injured
Updated: December 27, 2019

Season-by-season record

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Season Coach Regular season Post season
Won Lost Win % Finish Won Lost Win % Result
2011–12 Joe Salerno 12 24 .333 6th Did not qualify
2012–13 Joe Salerno 26 14 .650 2nd 4 5 .482 Lost Final
2013–14 Joe Salerno 22 18 .550 2nd 10 7 .588 Lost Final
2014–15 Joe Salerno 19 13 .593 2nd 4 6 .400 Lost Semifinal
2015–16 Joe Salerno 14 26 .370 4th 0 3 .000 Lost Quarterfinal
2016–17 Joe Salerno 16 24 .400 3rd 5 6 .455 Lost Semifinals
2017–18 Tim Kendrick 19 21 .475 4th 1 3 .250 Lost Div. Semifinals
2018–19 Tim Kendrick 12 28 .300 5th Did not qualify
2019–20 Tim Kendrick 6 17 .261 Season curtailed by the COVID-19 pandemic
Totals 146 185 .441 — 24 30 .444 6 Playoff appearances

References

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  1. ^ Salerno named coach in newly formed Canadian basketball league - Burlington Free Press
  2. ^ "NBL Canada Looks to Rebuild the Atlantic Division". OurSports Central. November 4, 2021.
  3. ^ "Decision expected soon on pro basketball team for P.E.I." Journal Pioneer. Archived from the original on 29 May 2016. Retrieved 11 October 2015.
  4. ^ a b Taber, Jane. "PEI's unlikely hotbed of pro basketball". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 11 October 2015.
  5. ^ Simmonds, Jason. "Basketball dream comes true". Journal Pioneer. Retrieved 11 October 2015.
  6. ^ a b Simmonds, Jason. "Pro basketball team will be known as Summerside Storm". Journal Pioneer. Retrieved 11 October 2015.
  7. ^ "Summerside Storm Partner with Basketball PEI and Greco Pizza Stores Across the Island To Name Mascot" (PDF). BasketballPEI. Retrieved 11 October 2015.
  8. ^ "General Info". CivicCentre.pe.ca. Archived from the original on 2014-02-22. Retrieved February 18, 2014.
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