Winnipeg Thunder
| Winnipeg Thunder | |
|---|---|
| Leagues | World Basketball League (1992) National Basketball League (1993–1994) |
| Founded | 1992 |
| History | Winnipeg Thunder 1992–1994 |
| Arena | Winnipeg Arena |
| Capacity | 12,393 |
| Location | Winnipeg, Manitoba |
| Team colours | Black, teal, white, silver |
| Head coach | Tom Nissalke |
| Ownership | Sam Katz and John Loewen |
| Championships | 0 |
| Division titles | 0 |
The Winnipeg Thunder was a professional basketball franchise based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, from 1992 to 1994. The Thunder played its inaugural season in the World Basketball League, which folded before the schedule ended. The club then joined the nascent National Basketball League, where it played for the 1993 and 1994 seasons.[1]
The Thunder enjoyed considerable public and corporate support at the outset, which later dwindled due in part to league instability and increased competition in the local minor-league sports market, following the establishment of the Winnipeg Goldeyes baseball club. The club's financial backers included Sam Katz and John Loewen.
The Thunder played its home games at the Winnipeg Arena. It would eventually be succeeded by the Winnipeg Cyclone, which represented the city in the International Basketball Association from 1995 to 2001.
Team information
Mascots
The Thunder's mascots were Kaboom and Baby Boom. [citation needed]
Roster
Season by Season record
WBL
| Season[2] | GP | W | L | GBL | Finish | Playoffs |
| 1992 | 37 | 15 | 22 | 13 | 6th WBL | No playoffs due to league disbanding on August 1, 1992 |
| Totals | 37 | 15 | 22 | – | – | – |
NBL
| Season[3] | GP | W | L | GBL | Finish | Playoffs |
| 1993 | 46 | 29 | 17 | 1 | 2nd NBL | Lost 3-2 in the NBL Semifinals to the Saskatoon Slam |
| 1994 | 25 | 10 | 15 | 7 | 6th NBL | League disbanded mid season July 9, 1994 |
| Totals | 71 | 39 | 32 | – | – | Playoff record 2–3 |
References
- ^ NBL Statistics
- ^ "History of the World Basketball League". Association for Professional Basketball Research. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
- ^ "National Basketball League (1993-1994)". Association for Professional Basketball Research. Retrieved 2023-07-20.