Blast Media Release Archives
Hancock betting on the blast
Expositor Staff - March 19, 2007
Mayor Mike Hancock is displaying his confidence in the Brantford Blast.
Hancock initiated a wager with Whitby mayor Pat Perkin, which she agreed to late Friday afternoon, on the best-of-seven series between the Whitby Dunlops and the Blast for the John Ross Robertson Trophy. If Brantford wins the series, Perkin will wear a Blast jersey in Whitby for one day and, if Whitby captures the series, Hancock has agreed to wear the Dunlops jersey in Brantford for a day.
"She said, 'you'll look good in a Dunlops jersey' but I told her I wasn't planning on wearing it," Hancock said.
PROVINCIAL CHAMPIONSHIPS START FRIDAY
EASTERN CHAMPS, WHITBY DUNLOPS VS. WESTERN CHAMPS, BRANTFORD BLAST
The Whitby Dunlop’s name is synonymous with World Championships and excellence in hockey. Get ready Brantford they are coming to town. Game one of the best of seven series takes place Friday, March 16, 8pm at the Brantford Civic Centre, doors open at 6:30pm. Please get there early to choose the best seats in the house.
Back in the day, led by former Whitby mayor Bob Attersley, former Toronto Maple Leafs captain Sid Smith and Boston Bruins president Harry Sinden the Whitby Dunlops captured the Allan Cup in 1957 and 1959 and the world championship in 1958. The Whitby Dunlops currently play in the Eastern Ontario Senior AAA Hockey League of the Ontario Hockey Association and have earned the distinction of being the best of the east for the past two seasons. Last year the Whitby Dunlops made it all the way to the final game of the Allan Cup competition before being eliminated by the host team Powell River Regals. They won their own league championship over The Vipers (Peterborough), and then beat out the Dundas Real McCoys before taking on the Allan Cup Champions from 2002, the Thunder Bay Bombers in a best 2-of-3 series. The victory over Thunder Bay earned the Whitby Dunlops the Ontario Sr AAA Championship in 2006.
The Brantford Blast defeated the Petrolia Squires in the semi-finals during double over time in the seventh game then swept the first place Windsor Saints, four straight, to capture their first ever Major League Hockey crown. The victory over Windsor provided the rough and tumble Brantford Blast a berth in the 2007 Provincial finals for the John Ross Robertson Trophy against the storied Whitby Dunlops. Hockey fans throughout Southern Ontario will have an opportunity to witness the worlds best amateur hockey at family affordable prices in both Whitby and Brantford.
JOE HARRIS IS A BLAST..
THE FORMER PRO GOALIE BRINGS A SPARKLING CAREER G.A.A. OF 2.64 TO THE TEAM
The Brantford Blast just added some much needed insurance between the pipes as they approach the February 10th signing deadline. The team signed 32 year old Joe Harris a 5' 9", 185 lb former pro goaltender now residing in Guelph, Ontario. Harris spent 3 seasons with the Odessa Texas Jackalopes of the C.H.L posting a career save percentage of .916% and goals against average of 2.64. Joe also played for the Dundas McCoys in the 2003 Allan Cup and finished last season with Steven Rice, another Blast newcomer, in Cambridge with the Hornets. Harris will compliment arguably the leagues best goaltender Anthony Marshall and Ryan Dickie.
This is the final regular season home game for the Brantford Blast prior to the playoffs. They continue their battle for second place overall with the Petrolia this Friday Night February 9th when they host the Squires for a 7:30 pm start at the Civic Centre. The Squires just happen to be the hottest team in the loop winning 9 of their last 12 games and overtaking the Dundas McCoy's for the fourth and final playoff spot. Brantford must win at least one of the two games these teams play against each other or risk the chance of finishing in third spot and losing home ice advantage.
This Friday's Game is billed as Tim Hortons Hockey Night in Brantford and will feature Timbits exhibition hockey between periods along with free Thunderstix Noisemakers for everyone. There will also be T-Shirt giveaways and special program prizes.
Youngsters carry the torch forward So Heroes Never Really Die
By Colleen Toms - Expositor Staff Brantford
Brantford Blast Hosts
fifth annual thank-a-vet hockey game
Kids Free Christmas blast this friday
and everybody gets to skate too !
There will be a lot of shooting-stars visible this Friday night December 22 at the Brantford Civic Centre when the Blast host the Tillsonburg Vipers. Seven of the top 10 scorers in the league will be featured in the game including 4 from Brantford and 3 from Tillsonburg. The three Vipers are Brad Wilkins, Stacey Bristone and Deryk Whitehead while the Blast have Tyler Pelton, Adriano Fiacconi, Andrew Taylor and Chad Spurr in the top 10.
Kids 14 years of age and under are admitted Free of charge thanks to Millard, Rouse and Rosebrugh Chartered Accountants and they'll receive a millennium collector calendar and a McDonalds Sandwich/Burger offer. That's a whopping $19. worth of goodies per child, absolutely free, compliments of the areas most prestigious accounting firm.
Santa Claus will be at the game too awarding lots of special prizes. And after the game everyone gets to skate with the Blast. So bring your skates and cameras and get there early. Doors open at 6:30 and all the action starts at 7:30
The two teams go right back at it the very next night in Tillsonburg.
For Immediate Release - December 10th, 2006
The Brantford Blast have a warm & fuzzy surprise in store for this Friday’s game when the Windsor Saints come marching in for a 7:30 game at the Civic Centre.
The Blast will host their inaugural Teddy Bear Toss in support of the Salvation Army. Fans are invited to bring a new teddy bear to toss onto the ice after the first Brantford goal. All of the fuzzy friends will then be distributed by the Salvation Army this Christmas. The Salvation Army Choir will join in on the festivities to sing carols in the lobby throughout the evening.
The Blast hope to net two points in what is being touted as a battle for first place, but they are equally focused on collecting as many toys for needy children as possible. “Brantford fans have proven their generosity time and time again,” explained Peter Ham, Blast President & GM. “From our Thank-A-Vet event to the Kidney Foundation to the Brantford Symphony Orchestra, to Laurier University, to the SPCA, to Phyllis Gretzky Angels and the St. Joseph’s Lifecare Centre, our fans have given from the heart each and every time.”
The Blast will go into Friday’s contest riding a 3 game winning streak while the Saints will be looking for their fifth win in a row.
BrantFord selected for 2008 allan cup
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Hockey Canada Selects Brantford for 2008 Tournament
Blast Hosting 100th Anniversary of the Allan Cup
BRANTFORD, ONTARIO – June 1, 2005 – Don Yeck, Hockey Canada Senior Council representative for the OHA, announced at a meeting of the Major League Hockey Board of Governors that the Brantford Blast have been selected by Hockey Canada to host the 2008 Allan Cup tournament. “When the resolution was passed on Saturday May 21st at the Annual General Meeting of Hockey Canada in Saint John, New Brunswick there was a spontaneous round of vigorous applause” said Mr. Yeck who hails from Belmont Ontario. “The Allan Cup bidding process rotates between the five regions that compete in the tournament for the national championship held during the third week of April every year”, continued Mr. Yeck “and Brantford was definitely a popular choice to host the centennial anniversary of the Cup that was donated by Sir Montague Allan in 1908 and that remains the oldest amateur hockey title in Canada.
New hockey season set for Blast-off
By Brian Smiley, expositor staff
Local Sports - Thursday, October 05, 2006 @ 01:00
A new coach, new players and new optimism — it all begins on Friday at the civic centre for the Brantford Blast when they host the Tillsonburg Vipers in a 7:30 p.m. game to open their 2006/07 Major League Hockey regular season.
“I’m always very excited when September rolls around and the season gets closer,” Blast president and general manager Peter Ham said.
“It takes a strange individual to have the passion to keep this level of hockey going and I’m one of those guys. Me and my whole family are passionate about this team.”
As Brantford prepares for its fifth season in the league, the organization will be looking to score its biggest win yet — an Allan Cup title as Canadian champions.
The Blast had a fantastic regular season a year ago, going from worst in 2004/05 to first in 05/06. Brantford won 18 games and lost 14 (three in overtime and two in shootouts) giving them 41 points, which was one more than the second-place Vipers.
Blast win in shootout
Local Sports - Saturday, September 23, 2006 @ 01:00
The Brantford Blast opened its Major League Hockey exhibition schedule with a 6-5 shootout victory against the Windsor-St. Clair Saints on Friday at the civic centre.
The two teams were tied 3-3 after regulation and overtime, sending the game to a shootout.
Each team then matched the other before the game's 13th shooter - Dave Hammond - won the game for the Blast.
During regulation time, Ryan Healey, Brian Armes and Tyler Pelton scored for Brantford. [ More ]
Blast hire VanHerzele as coach
By Ed OLeary
Local Sports - Saturday, August 19, 2006 @ 01:00
When Bill Armstrong resigned as head coach of the Brantford Blast to become an assistant coach with the Guelph Storm of the Ontario Hockey League, Blast president and general manager Peter Ham knew exactly who he wanted to fill Armstrongs shoes.
Larry VanHerzele was my first choice to take over from Bill and I had a great discussion with Bill about that, Ham said in naming the 40-year-old VanHerzele, last years assistant coach, as the Blasts new head coach.
Armstrong agreed with me that he (VanHerzele) was the right man for the job.
The Blast have also named veteran winger Andrew Taylor as a player/assistant coach.
VanHerzele played for Brantford as a member of the OHL's Alexanders more than 20 years ago and then followed the team to Hamilton when it moved.
Brantford to honour captain
Ed O'Leary
Local Sports - Saturday, July 22, 2006 @ 01:00
The Brantford Blast will honour team captain Tyler Pelton to begin their fifth season in Major League Hockey on Oct. 6 at the civic centre.
"Tyler is the only player on our roster who has been with us for five consecutive years," team president and general manager Peter Ham said.
"I want to recognize No. 5 (Pelton) to kick off our fifth season.
"Walter Gretzky is going to be there to honour Tyler who is the only team captain we've ever had. Tyler is also our all-time leading scorer and he's also won the league's most sportsmanlike player award four times."
Pelton scored 31 goals and 29 assists in 31 games for the Blast last season.
The swift-skating centre got 32 points in the 2004-05 season, 50 points in the 2003-04 season and 44 points in the 2002-03 season.
Coach bolts Blast to join OHL's Guelph Storm
By Ed O'Leary
Local Sports - Friday, July 07, 2006 @ 01:00
Bill Armstrong has resigned his position as head coach of the Brantford Blast to climb the coaching ladder.
Blast president Peter Ham wanted Armstrong back to guide the team through the 2006-07 Major League Hockey season but he's glad that the Guelph Storm of the Ontario Hockey League has dipped into the league's talent pool of coaches to sign Armstrong as an assistant coach.
The 40-year-old London native will join Storm’s head coach and general manager Dave Barr and assistant coach Trent Cull. Barr was selected as the OHL’s 2005-06 coach of the year.
“Even though Bill signed a three-year contract with us in 2005, he and I both clearly understood that the Blast would never hold him back,” Ham said in a news release.
“In fact, I assured Army (his nickname) that we would encourage and assist his growth (as a coach) in any way we could.”
Ham believes Armstrong will rise through the coaching ranks quickly.
MLH moves westward
with addition of Windsor St. Clair Saints
Ed O'Leary
Local Sports - Friday, June 16, 2006 @ 01:00
Windsor St. Clair Saints will enter Major League Hockey as an expansion franchise for the 2006-07 season.
The announcement was made in a news release Thursday by league chairman Peter Ham, who is also the president and general manager of the Brantford Blast.
Brantford hockey fans are familiar with Saints' coach and general manager Kevin Hamlin, who was a goaltender for the Brantford Alexanders in the Ontario Hockey League in the 1979-80 and 1980-81 seasons.
"The Windsor group was extremely well prepared and the entry received enthusiastic, unanimous approval from Major Hockey League's board of governors, who have in turn requested that the OHA (Hockey Hockey Association) board concur at their next scheduled meeting," Ham said
Blast go from 'worst to first'
Ed O'Leary
Local News - Monday, March 13, 2006 @ 01:00
Team president and general manager Peter Ham called the Brantford Blast’s 2005-06 season a “tremendous success” Sunday afternoon.
“We went wire to wire in first place. We went from worst to first,” Ham said after having a watched the Blast being eliminated from the Major League Hockey playoffs in Dundas on Saturday night.
The Blast finished the 2004-05 season in sixth place with a dismal record of eight wins, 25 losses, one tie and one overtime loss for only 18 points. It was their third season in the league and the third consecutive time they’d missed the playoffs.
The Blast, under the guidence of new head coach Bill Armstrong and assistant coach Larry Van Herzele, finished the regular-season schedule this season in first place with a record of 18 wins, nine losses, three overtimes and two shootout losses for 41 points despite a late-season collapse.
The Blast, once the season had concluded, were subsequently moved to second place for playoff seedings because of successful protests by the Vipers and the McCoys against the Cambridge Hornets, who were dropped down to fifth place and out of the playoffs while the Squires were pushed from fifth place to the fourth and final playoff position.
That (moving from last to first place) is a tremendous turnaround and for some reason my coach (Armstrong) didn’t even get an honourable mention for first all-star coach but I think he should have,” Ham said.
The Blast submitted a bid to host the 2008 Allan Cup tournament for Canada’s senior AAA hockey championship last year and were successful in obtaining it.
Ham immediately said he was going to put a plan together to construct a team that was capable of winning the 2008 Allan Cup.
It was our goal from the outset to have a young, aggressive hockey team that we can use the nucleus to continue build for the Allan Cup championship of 2008,” Ham said. “I think our average age this year is around 25 and that establishes a stgrong nucleus to build on. It proved successful in the standings the transition we made.”
Armstrong echoed Ham’s thoughts.
“You’ve got to start somewhere and I think we’ve certainly started something,” Armstrong said. “Obviously, you’re always striving to have a good locker room and we didn’t really realize it until halfway through the season that the guys really liked each other and it was a good fit.
“I had a great time. It’s a professionally run organization. Peter’s certainly got a good thing there.”
Van Herzele, a player for most of last season, joined Armstrong behind the bench to run the defence pairings.
“We’ve got a pretty good group of guys who get along,” Van Herzele said. “They played as hard as they could but just fell short. We’ve got a good nucleus, a good starting point for next year
“Peter’s move of bringing in Bill (Armstrong) was an asset. He brought structure to the team. He had a different style but he had certain things he wanted to accomplish with the team.
“It was a good stepping stone for the team to get a round of playoffs under its belt leading up to next year and the following year being the Allan Cup. Now that we’ve had a taste we know which direction we have to go.”