2025 State of the Storm

Jun 02, 2025

Good morning Storm Nation,

When was the last time you had your heart broken?  For me, it was my birthday.

I am the most competitive person I know (which is not really a good thing).  For the sake of myself and those around me I partially unplug my competitive nature from the things I care most about to not ruin my health and make everyone around me hate me.  That is not an exaggeration.  For the last six-ish years of my life, the competitive thing I care most about is the Storm.  

Most nights I don’t watch every minute of every game.  Heck, at home games I’ll miss entire periods running around trying to do my job.  And that’s okay, because we have talented players and coaches who have forgotten more about hockey than I’ll ever know and if they need my opinion on something, I can go back and watch and share what I think.  Historically, this strategy has allowed me to stay engaged with what is happening on the ice while still operating as a normal human and having the mental capacity to fulfill my duties as team president. 

But then this last playoffs started and wouldn’t you know, Peoria.  I liked the matchup.  Still do.  In case you didn’t know, this regular season the Storm went 7-8-0-2 against the first place Rivermen which is the best single season we’ve had against them by a long way.  So I made the trip for Round 1 Game 1 and I watched every single minute of that game, not including some strategically placed bathroom breaks that were more to lower my blood pressure than anything.  And despite the crippling stress I felt relatively good, and felt even better at 7:29 of the first period when we went up 3-0.  Then things went bad fast.  Even after the miraculous equalizer with a quarter of a second left I did not feel extremely good about the end result and sadly that feeling was right.  That game was on my birthday.  I think I aged seven years.

Pity party over.  We didn’t get the job done.  So now we turn the page to next season. Opening Night is 142 days away.  

What can you expect?  Off the ice the Quad City Storm is heading into year seven and coming off back to back to back seasons of attendance records.   From October through April Storm games are the place to be and the QCA continues to show that by supporting us tremendously.   So much so, that we are adding another home (and road) game to our schedule.  There will now be 29 chances plus playoffs for you to cheer on the Storm and enjoy the exciting promotions, giveaways and hockey that you have come to expect at Vibrant Arena at The MARK.

Speaking of hockey, there is a lot to be excited about.  Last season a veteran core of players and first year coaching staff carried the lantern through a tumultuous season and ended the year surrounded by some incredibly talented and exciting new young talent that began their professional and SPHL careers in the Quad Cities.  

It is too early in the Summer to know exactly what next season’s opening night roster will look like.  Being a professional hockey player is a commitment that takes a tremendous toll physically and emotionally on the players and their families.  We have been incredibly fortunate to have players not just choose to play here, but stay here; some permanently, some as long as their immigration Visa may allow and some whenever they have a spare weekend to make the trip over the Summer.  

Some of that veteran core I alluded to earlier will be back.  Others may be making the difficult decision to end their playing careers.  Some of the young talent will be presented with an opportunity to not just be back, but be back in a larger role with more opportunity to shine and take our team to the next level.   

After the most heartbreaking season end in Storm hockey history, I have never been more optimistic about the future of this team.  

To our Season Ticket Members and Corporate Partners, thank you for your continued loyalty and support.  Without you we are not here, and we feel so fortunate to have you on our team.

Have a wonderful Summer, enjoy the outdoors and make sure you stay tuned to Storm social media as the offseason ramps up.  You can officially count down the months until hockey on one hand.   

Go Storm.