City Steinbach, Manitoba Home arena T.G. Smith Centre General manager Jared Driedger Arena T.G. Smith Centre Date founded 2004 | Division Senior AAA Colors Blue, Green, White Website se-prairiethunder.com Location Steinbach, Canada Color Blue, Green, White | |
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Allan cup title well worth the wait
The South East Prairie Thunder are a Canadian Senior ice hockey team based out of Steinbach, Manitoba and two-time Allan Cup champions. They are a Manitoba Senior 'AAA' club and play an independent schedule under the jurisdiction of Hockey Manitoba.
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History
Prior to 2006, the Prairie Thunder were known as the Grunthal Red Wings and based out of Grunthal, Manitoba. The South East Prairie Thunder now play most of their home games at the T.G. Smith Centre in Steinbach.
The team have made six appearances at the Allan Cup, Canada's national senior 'AAA' championship. Their first was at the 2009 Allan Cup, which was played in Steinbach, but hosted by their local rivals, the Steinbach North Stars. The Prairie Thunder advanced to the final, but lost 4-3 in double overtime to the Bentley Generals.
Three years later, the Thunder captured their first national title at the 2012 Allan Cup in Lloydminster, Saskatchewan. They claimed their second national title at the 2015 Allan Cup in Clarenville, Newfoundland and Labrador, defeating Bentley in the final by a score of 2-0.
The Prairie Thunder also participated in the 2010, 2011, and 2014 Allan Cups, and hosted the 2016 Allan Cup in Steinbach.
In recent years, the team's roster has included former professional players such as Terry Yake, Brad Purdie, Justin Kurtz, Ryan Bonni, and Steve Christie.