SurgeStack Season II: Preseason Thoughts
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The Calgary Surge are entering their third season in the CEBL since relocating from Guelph. Thus, the SurgeStack enters its second season covering the team.
In their two seasons of existence, the Calgary Surge came so close to the CEBL title. In 2023, they fell to the Scarborough Shooting Stars at Langley Events Centre in the championship final. Last year, the team marched their way back to championship weekend, this time in Montreal. However, the Vancouver Bandits got their semifinal revenge on the Surge and ousted Calgary with a heartbreaking result.
The Surge are labelling this season as “The Trilogy.” Well, I sure hope the third time's the charm. The franchise has continued to grow in some areas, specifically in partnerships and off-court adventures. They’ve also brought in their third new head coach in three years by adding Kaleb Canales. I’ve only heard good things about him. I have no reason but to be fully confident in team general manager Shane James after his success through the first two years in Calgary. Before we talk about the basketball team, a few housekeeping items to chat about.
The Surge a fresh off a huge announcement: SURGE 2 STAMPEDE! Yes, that’s right, the team is playing a game at the Scotiabank Saddledome during the Calgary Stampede. I’ll be honest, I was surprised to hear this announcement. Why? Well, usually the Stampede has their entertainment at the ‘Dome lined up and announced well before May. Additionally, I thought the Surge had their only Saddledome game figured out with the season finale against Niagara. But we’ve been gifted an additional game at the city’s most iconic sports centre with a game against Montreal during Stampede. This feels like one step closer to the Saddledome becoming the full-time home of the Surge! (Until the demolish it)
The Surge playing games at the ‘Dome in July and August against Montreal and Niagara, respectively, is great news for the franchise and Calgary basketball fans. But not everything is great news for the fans in Cowtown.
A few months ago, the Calgary Surge announced they would play a game against their provincial rivals, the Edmonton Stingers, in Red Deer. You might ask, “Why is this a bad thing?” Well, loyal SurgeStack reader, I’ll tell you why:
The Calgary Surge and Edmonton Stingers play each other three times in the 2025 regular season. Two games, including the May 11th season-opener, will be in Edmonton. The other of the three games will be in Red Deer. How many games will Calgary host their provincial rivals in the 2025 regular season? Zero. The Edmonton Stingers will not come to Calgary for a game this season.
As a loyal Surge fan, I am quite upset about that. Although I understand wanting to bring CEBL basketball to Red Deer, why are they taking away a game from the great fans in Calgary?
As I mentioned, I love the idea of claiming Red Deer and claiming more Surge fans in Alberta. But in our third season? We have a lot more fans to gain in our great city. I don’t like the idea of taking away a rivalry game from our arena. Especially since Edmonton gets two home games against us. I don’t know how many fans will be making the trip up to Red Deer for the game, but I can’t say that I will. I prefer the Calgary Surge to play their home games in Calgary.
Okay. I have to remember this blog is about what happens on the court. Not my gripes about the operational decisions. I promise I have thoughts about the team we will see in Edmonton on May 11. Like I said earlier, I think the Surge will be highly competitive in the West again this year.
Training camp has wrapped up and the team will tip off their season in under 24 hours. The team is filled with talent and I think will be competitive for the third straight season. Fan favourite Sean “Rugzy” Miller-Moore returns for his third year with the team. Additionally, Gabe Osabuohien is back in Calgary this summer. However, those are the only two returning players from last season. There have been plenty of former Surge players signing elsewhere in the league, most notably Simi Shittu and Mason Bourcier in Winnipeg.
A few players to keep your eye on are two Americans with NBA experience set to make their CEBL debut. Former Houston Rocket and Detroit Piston Khryi Thomas was announced as the team’s first signing and will most certainly be relied on as a primary scorer. Along with Thomas is a talented, athletic forward in Greg Brown III. The lanky 23-year-old was highly recruited coming out of high school in 2019 and was known for his rim-rocking dunks that caused him to be a hyped up name in basketball circles. He then went to Texas and continued to pour on the highlights before being drafted to the NBA, spending three seasons there between the Portland Trailblazers and Dallas Mavericks. He spent last season with the Texas Legends in the NBA G-League, where Kaleb Canales was an associate coach. Out of all the new players on the team, I think I’m most excited to see Brown III in a Surge uniform.
That’s where I leave it for now before the Surge open the season on Sunday at 4 p.m. in Edmonton. More SurgeStack content to come. Subscribe and tell your friends! Follow me on Instagram!
Totally agree with you! I don’t want to goto Red Deer to watch them play. Play here! The fan base needs to be solidified still.