The Blizzard Community

There really is no better time of the year than Thanksgiving (and no, we aren't just saying that because it happens during hockey season). It's that one day where family and friends gather together and eat.. A LOT!! More important than the turkey, glazed ham, mashed potatoes and yes, even the pumpkin pie, is the action of giving thanks. This year, what we are most thankful for is the Blizzard Community!

What makes the Blizzard Community so great is that it is made up of each and every one of you! Whether you are a Blizz Fan, sponsor, volunteer, local organization or have simply said hello to us in passing, we are always amazed by your continued support. And it's because of this support that we can continue to scream "GO BLIZZARD!!!!" during each and every game that we play. 

As a team, we understand the importance of community and always do our best to give back year round. From helping build a house for the Brookings Area Habitat for Humanity to working with students from Camelot Intermediate School host a food drive, the Blizzard players & coaches are always willing to lend a hand.

Team captain Nick DeCenzo does a pretty good job of summing it up: “It’s a great feeling when you can give back to the community and help those in need of it. It may not feel like a big deal to us, but to them it could mean the world".

This season, be sure to give thanks to those important in your life. We'll end by saying thank you again to the entire Blizzard Community. We wish you all a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Now go eat!!

Blizzard Hockey: More Fun in a Group!

If you are looking for the perfect place for a group outing with family, friends or co-workers, a Blizzard game at the Larson Ice Center is THE place to be!

Plus, when you purchase tickets as a group you score some pretty GREAT benefits such as special group ticket pricing, group name displayed on the video screen & announced over the PA system, no waiting in lines, an opportunity to purchase ‘Blizz Bucks’ for concessions or merchandise, a chance to participate in various game promotions AND MORE! So gather your friends and take advantage of our special packages and benefits. 

Whiskey Creek VIP Deck The VIP PARTY DECK is the best all-inclusive entertainment experience in Brookings! 

Your ticket includes admission to the game, a catered meal, complimentary beer and Pepsi products and special reserved seating for your group.This area is perfect for holiday parties, birthday celebrations, customer appreciation nights, or company outings. Your group will also be welcomed on the video screen and over the PA system during the game (it is called the VIP Deck after all).

Papa Johns Birthday Package (for our 'shorter' fans) Your child will have a birthday party to remember!

The package includes 10 student tickets, 2 adult tickets, 2 Papa John's Pizzas, 12 Pepsi products, a Blizzard t-shirt for the birthday child, name and picture announced on the video screen and the birthday child gets to sit on the Blizzard bench during warm-ups!

Call the Blizzard office at 605-592-9114 or email Riley for more details.. We'll see you (and your group) at the next game!! 

#FearTheClaw

Need a Ride?

Need a ride to the Blizzard game? 

The Blizzard have partnered up with Brookings Area Transit Authority to provide FREE rides to and from ALL Blizzard home games. 

The bus will start running at 6:00pm on game nights with various stops around town. After the game fans can then catch a ride back to their pick-up location or downtown. All you have to do is choose the location that works best for you! 

Bus Schedule:

6:00- Corner of 6th and Main behind Moriarty Rental
6:10- SDSU Student Union, East Entrance
6:20- Buffalo Wild Wings Parking Lot
6:30- Drop Off at Rink
6:40- Corner of 6th and Main behind Moriarty Rental
6:50- SDSU Student Union, East Entrance
7:00- Buffalo Wild Wings Parking Lot
7:15- Puck Drops

We'll see you at the game! 

Join Us For EVERY Second Of The Action!

Soon the dreaded summer heat will be gone and the BEST time of the year will once again be upon us: we're talking hockey season here people!! 

T minus [click here] days until the Blizzard hit the ice for our second year at the Larson Ice Center and we're gearing up for quite the season. And because a hockey team is nothing without the support of great fans, we want YOU to join us for EVERY second of the action!!

This year we're offering a pretty sweet promotion for those who buy season tickets! Its simple really- purchase season tickets before Sept. 20th and you'll have the chance to: 

• Drop the opening puck on opening night,
• Win an autographed Blizzard Jersey AND
• Score two VIP Party Deck tickets to opening night

Sound good? Check out all of our season ticket options HERE! 

On the other hand, if sitting in the stands isn't quite enough action for you, we are always looking for new people to join our team. Become a member of the Blizzard Game Day Staff in one of the following positions:

• Ticket Operations
• Merchandise Sales
• Goal Judge
• Penalty Box Attendants
• PA Announcer and In-Game Host
• Camera and Video Screen Operators
• Ushers/Security
• Beer Garden Staff
• And MORE!!!

Volunteers receive discounts on merchandise, game tickets, and other perks. Interested? Sign up HERE! 

Long story short, whether you prefer to watch the action from the stands or participate first hand as Game Day Staff, we hope that you'll join us in making this an unforgettable season! #GoBrookings 

Mark Your Calendars!

Get ready Blizzard Fans! The NAHL recently released the 2013-14 regular season schedule. Entering its 38th season, the NAHL is oldest and one of the largest USA Hockey-sanctioned junior leagues in the United States. The NAHL prides itself on the social maturity and skill development of student-athletes ages 16-20 with aspirations of advancing to collegiate and/or professional hockey. This past season, over 170 players made NCAA college commitments.

We are VERY excited and proud to be a part of the NAHL's Central Division alongside the Aberdeen Wings, Austin Bruins, Bismark Bobcats & Minot Minotauros. This year the claw is coming out full swing! #FearTheClaw

Check out the full list of Brookings Blizzard Games below. Oh, and don't forget to Mark Your Calendars.. our FIRST GAME of the season is Wednesday, September 18th @ Michigan!

• Wed. 18 Sep. 13 Brookings at Michigan 
• Thu. 19 Sep. 13 Wichita Falls at Brookings 
• Fri. 20 Sep. 13 Odessa at Brookings 
• Sat. 21 Sep. 13 Brookings at Kenai River 
• Fri. 27 Sep. 13 Aberdeen at Brookings 
• Sat. 28 Sep. 13 Brookings at Aberdeen 
• Fri. 4 Oct. 13 Austin at Brookings 
• Sat. 5 Oct. 13 Brookings at Austin 
• Fri. 11 Oct. 13 Bismarck at Brookings 
• Sat. 12 Oct. 13 Brookings at Austin 
• Fri. 18 Oct. 13 Bismarck at Brookings 
• Sat. 19 Oct. 13 Brookings at Bismarck 
• Thu. 24 Oct. 13 Aberdeen at Brookings 
• Sat. 26 Oct. 13 Brookings at Aberdeen 
• Fri. 1 Nov. 13 Minot at Brookings 
• Sat. 2 Nov. 13 Minot at Brookings 
• Fri. 8 Nov. 13 Brookings at Minot 
• Sat. 9 Nov. 13 Brookings at Minot 
• Fri. 15 Nov. 13 Austin at Brookings 
• Sat. 16 Nov. 13 Brookings at Austin 
• Fri. 22 Nov. 13 Brookings at Austin 
• Sat. 23 Nov. 13 Austin at Brookings 
• Wed. 27 Nov. 13 Aberdeen at Brookings 
• Fri. 29 Nov. 13 Brookings at Minnesota M 
• Sat. 30 Nov. 13 Brookings at Minnesota M 
• Fri. 6 Dec. 13 Brookings at Bismarck 
• Sat. 7 Dec. 13 Bismarck at Brookings 
• Fri. 13 Dec. 13 Brookings at Austin 
• Sat. 14 Dec. 13 Austin at Brookings 
• Fri. 20 Dec. 13 Coulee Region at Brookings 
• Sat. 21 Dec. 13 Coulee Region at Brookings 
• Fri. 27 Dec. 13 Minnesota M at Brookings 
• Sat. 28 Dec. 13 Minnesota M at Brookings 
• Tue. 31 Dec. 13 Minnesota W at Brookings 
• Fri. 3 Jan. 14 Bismarck at Brookings 
• Sat. 4 Jan. 14 Bismarck at Brookings 
• Sat. 11 Jan. 14 Brookings at Bismarck 
• Thu. 16 Jan. 14 Brookings at Bismarck 
• Fri. 17 Jan. 14 Brookings at Bismarck 
• Sat. 18 Jan. 14 Brookings at Minot 
• Fri. 24 Jan. 14 Austin at Brookings 
• Sat. 25 Jan. 14 Brookings at Austin 
• Tue. 28 Jan. 14 Brookings at Minot 
• Fri. 31 Jan. 14 Minot at Brookings 
• Sat. 1 Feb. 14 Minot at Brookings 
• Fri. 7 Feb. 14 Aberdeen at Brookings 
• Sat. 8 Feb. 14 Brookings at Aberdeen 
• Fri. 14 Feb. 14 Brookings at Aberdeen 
• Fri. 21 Feb. 14 Bismarck at Brookings 
• Sat. 22 Feb. 14 Brookings at Bismarck 
• Fri. 28 Feb. 14 Brookings at Minnesota W 
• Sat. 1 Mar. 14 Brookings at Minnesota W 
• Fri. 7 Mar. 14 Aberdeen at Brookings 
• Sat. 8 Mar. 14 Brookings at Aberdeen 
• Fri. 14 Mar. 14 Brookings at Aberdeen 
• Sat. 15 Mar. 14 Aberdeen at Brookings 
• Fri. 21 Mar. 14 Brookings at Minot 
• Sat. 22 Mar. 14 Brookings at Minot 
• Fri. 28 Mar. 14 Minot at Brookings 
• Sat. 29 Mar. 14 Minot at Brookings

Become A Blizzard Host Family!

We are always astounded by the support and love we receive from the local community! It's this support that drives us to play our very best game after game. It's also this support that allows NAHL players from all over the world to join us and play for the Brookings Blizzard Hockey Team.

Players in the North American Hockey League come from all corners of the country and around the globe. Last year alone the Blizzard roster boasted players from Canada, Belgium, and nine different states, including Alaska, Minnesota, North Dakota, and Wisconsin, among others. This fall when the team arrives in Brookings they will need a place to live during the season. 

Billet families, or host families, perform an incredibly vital role in the junior hockey experience by providing young men a place to live while they chase their dream of playing hockey at the collegiate and professional level. For many of the players this will be their first time living away from home. Housing families invite these players into their homes to be a part of their family for eight months out of the year.

It's important to note that these players are not a renter but a part of the family. It is not uncommon for players, years after their time in the league, to keep in close contact with their former billet family, keeping them informed of their collegiate, professional and family lives.

When you house a Blizzard player, you aren't just providing a home.. you're building lifelong relationships!

Blizzard Hockey is currently looking for housing families, both short-term and long-term. Families could be those with children in school, ‘empty nesters’, grandparents, young adults, or a variety of different combinations. If you have questions or are interested in becoming a housing family, please contact Riley Courtright at riley@gobrookingsblizzard.com.

The Junior Blizzard Kids Club

Hey Mom & Dad,

Do you have children under the age of 12 who are fans of the Brookings Blizzard hockey team? If you do, check out the Sanford Health of Brookings Jr. Blizzard Kids Club! 

For only $30 your child can become a member of the club. Here is what a membership buys:

• A membership card
• Voucher for 5 student tickets
• An autographed picture of Bernie, our mascot
• A Sanford Health backpack
• A team gift
• The chance to be the Kids Club Member of the Game. The Kids Club Member of the game will get to ride the Mimi-Zamboni and get his or her picture on the video screen.

To become a member, simply fill out a form on our website. 

Please share this blog with anyone you know who has children that would enjoy being members!