Login

teztify · 08-29-2013, 09:17 PM

The Edmonton Blizzard franchise is one of the most storied in SHL history. Beginning as the Comets in the Season 2 Expansion, the organization found instant success as they reached the Challenge Cup Finals in their inaugural season, only to fall short. However, the Comets bounced back soon after, winning back to back Challenge Cups in Season 3 and Season 4. While there was a period of mediocrity between those days and the club's next Cup victory in Season 13, there is no question about the rich history surrounding the Edmonton franchise.

Today we honour that history as we raise two jerseys to the rafters of Rexall Place, the first to ever be retired by the Edmonton Blizzard/Comets organization. These jerseys will be immortalized forever as a part of our history.

The first jersey to hang from the rafters is none other than our club's founder and first ever General Manager, Jay McDonald! “Jay Mac” has meant a great amount to this franchise, and has contributed just as much on the ice as off. He is our all time scoring leader, with an incredible 405 points in 495 games, including a team leading 180 goals, despite playing limited minutes later in his career. At this time I would like to thank Jay McDonald for his incredible contributions to our team, and congratulate him on being the first player to ever have their jersey retired by this franchise!

<div align="center"> [Image: EdmontonBlizzardJayMcDonald_zpsb1c19150.png]

[Image: EdmontonBlizzardJayMcDonald_zpsb1c19150.png]

</div>

The second jersey that we will be raising to the rafters is a man who came to the Edmonton franchise in Season 3 and made an immediate impact, helping the Comets win two consecutive Challenge Cups. Sergei Karpotsov is arguably one of the top players in SHL history, and while his time in Edmonton was limited to just two seasons, he never failed to show up in the clutch and be a big game player for the team. Karpostov put up an amazing 86 points in 80 games with the Edmonton Comets in Seasons 3 and 4, averaging 1.08 points per game, the highest of any Edmonton player who served the club for at least one season. One of the all-time greats of the SHL, we are very proud to raise his number in our building and honour his contributions to this team. Thank you Sergei, and congratulations!

<div align="center"> [Image: EdmontonBlizzardSergeiKarpotsov_zps7a26ac8d.png]

[Image: EdmontonBlizzardSergeiKarpotsov_zps7a26ac8d.png]

</div>

Once again, thank you to both of these great players for the role you have both played in our history, and congratulations.

*Thanks to JP for making these great banners for us <3