Island Storm

Island Storm
2015–16 Island Storm season
Leagues	NBL Canada
Founded	2011
History	Summerside Storm (2011–2013) Island Storm (2013-present)
Arena	Eastlink Centre
Capacity	4,000 (basketball configuration)
Location	Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island
Team colours	Blue, Gold
Head coach	Joe Salerno
Ownership	Darren MacKay Duncan Shaw
Website	www.islandstorm.ca
Uniforms
Home Away

The Island Storm is a Canadian professional basketball team based in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. The team is a charter member of the National Basketball League of Canada which began play for its inaugural 2011–12 season. The Storm plays its home games at the Eastlink Centre. Former Vermont Frost Heaves head coach Joe Salerno has been the team's head coach since the franchise entered the NBLC in late 2011.^[1]

History

The Storm were established in 2011 and made their debut in the inaugural 2011–12 NBL Canada season. They were originally owned by Prince Edward Island software company owners and millionaires Darren MacKay and Duncan Shaw, who played major roles in founding the team. Initially, it was unclear whether it would be based in the island's cities of Charlottetown or Summerside.^[2][3] 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."^[4] 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."^[3]

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."^[5] He also said it worked well through alliteration. The nickname was suggested by 14 people.^[5] A contest to determine the Storm's mascot name, sponsored by Basketball PEI and Greco Pizza Restaurant, was held in September 2011.^[6]

Home arenas

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.^[7]

Players

Current roster

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

Island Storm roster
Players	Coaches
Pos. # Nat. Name Ht. Wt. Age F 20 Addison, Brian 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 29 – 5 February 1987 F 6 Baines, Tirrell 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 29 – 3 July 1986 G 5 Bertrand, Joseph 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 25 – 29 March 1991 G/F 1 DesRoches, Alex 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 200 lb (91 kg) G 3 Grant, Malcolm 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 27 – 21 June 1988 G/F 2 Jennings, Brent 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 27 – 4 July 1988 G/F 15 Lewis, Morgan 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 29 – 10 February 1987 F/C 7 Nortmann, Robert 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 230 lb (100 kg) 28 – 8 December 1987 C 42 Posthumus, Chad 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 270 lb (120 kg) 25 – 12 February 1991 G 10 Stewart, Al 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 32 – 5 September 1983 G/F 13 Thomas, Terry 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 24 – 17 September 1991 G 22 Whack, Rashad 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 25 – 22 January 1991	Head coach Joe Salerno Assistant coach(es) Mike Leslie Legend (C) Team captain Injured Roster – Transactions Updated: April 12, 2016

Season-by-season record

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 Semi-final
Totals		79	69	.534	-	18	18	.500	3 Playoff Appearances

References

1. Salerno named coach in newly formed Canadian basketball league - Burlington Free Press
2. "Decision expected soon on pro basketball team for P.E.I.". Journal Pioneer. Retrieved 11 October 2015.
3. Taber, Jane. "PEI’s unlikely hotbed of pro basketball". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 11 October 2015.
4. Simmonds, Jason. "Basketball dream comes true". Journal Pioneer. Retrieved 11 October 2015.
5. Simmonds, Jason. "Pro basketball team will be known as Summerside Storm". Journal Pioneer. Retrieved 11 October 2015.
6. "Summerside Storm Partner with Basketball PEI and Greco Pizza Stores Across the Island To Name Mascot" (PDF). BasketballPEI. Retrieved 11 October 2015.
7. "General Info". CivicCentre.pe.ca. Retrieved February 18, 2014.

External links

• Official website