Pembina Valley Twisters
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| Pembina Valley Twisters | |
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| Founded | 2001 |
| History | Pembina Valley Twisters 2001-present |
| Arena | Southern Manitoba Convention Center |
| City | Morris, Manitoba  |
| Team Colours | White, black, and red |
| General Manager | Dale Rempel  |
| Head Coach | 2001-2003 : Danny McDonald 2003-2005 : Rick Smith 2005-2007 : Doug Ushakas |
| Captain | Bryce Cowling |
| Championships Won | None |
The Pembina Valley Twisters are a Canadian junior ice hockey team currently based in Morris, Manitoba, Canada. They are part of the Manitoba Major Junior Hockey League (MMJHL).
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[edit] History
The Pembina Valley Twisters first skated into existence in September 2001, founded by Glenn Cordy and Kerry Lines. Glenn and Kerry coached the Sanford Sabers High School Hockey Team during the 2000–2001 season. At the conclusion of an emotional season it was realized that the graduating players did not have a place to continue playing outside the "Winkler Flyers" and a Junior B team in St. Malo, Manitoba. Thus the founding of the team in 2001.
[edit] Past seasons (2001-2006)
The first four years were spent in Oakbluff. The first coach was Danny McDonald.
The third and fourth years were led by Rick Smith and his coaching staff. During both seasons, the Twisters competed and made the play-offs. Concluding the fourth season, as was the case with Danny McDonald, Rick Smith stepped down as head coach. Rick's efforts did not go un-noticed as the Twisters were now on the verge of taking the next step, competing for a league championship.
After our fourth season Glen Munford contacted Kerry Lines inquiring about an expansion franchise for Morris. That was not possible, as sharing the existing geographic area would not work. The other possibility was proposed, moving the Twisters to the Town of Morris. After several discussions and after partaking in the Stampede Parade, it was unanimously decided to move the franchise to Morris. The existing ownership group of Kerry, Don Boyd and Doug Ushakas now joined Glen Munford and Dale Rempel to make up the new ownership group.
The Twisters entered the fifth year with Doug Ushakas behind the bench as head coach. The previous two seasons were as an assistant to Rick Smith. After an off season recruiting program, the Twisters were eliminated during the first round of play-offs.
