The Wisconsin Windigo are a Tier II junior ice hockey team in the North American Hockey League's Midwest Division. Based in Eagle River, Wisconsin, the Windigo play their home games at Eagle River Stadium, affectionately referred to as the "Dome".
| Wisconsin Windigo | |
|---|---|
| City | Eagle River, Wisconsin |
| League | North American Hockey League |
| Division | Midwest |
| Founded | 2010 |
| Home arena | Eagle River Stadium |
| Colors | Blue, black, and grey |
| Owner(s) | Copper Island Hockey Club LLC |
| General manager | Chris Hedlund |
| Head coach | Blake Hietala (Hired 2022) |
| Franchise history | |
| 2010–2012 | New Mexico Mustangs |
| 2013–2022 | Minnesota Magicians |
| 2022–present | Wisconsin Windigo |
History
editThe franchise was previously known as the New Mexico Mustangs, a team which began in 2010 and played at the Santa Ana Star Center in Rio Rancho, New Mexico. After two seasons, both seeing them finishing in last place in the South Division, the Mustangs announced on May 23, 2012, that they had been granted inactive status and would not compete in the upcoming season.[1]
On December 21, it was announced that the Mustangs' franchise had been acquired by the Minnesota Junior Hockey Group and would relocate to Richfield for the 2013–14 season.[2] The Magicians' name, logo and colors were announced on January 21, 2013.[3]
In March 2014, the team completed its inaugural season of play with 50 points, averaging nearly 700 fans per game.[4] For the 2016–17 season, the league moved the Magicians back to the Midwest Division after one year in the Central.
The Magicians captured their first division championship in 2021 to earn a spot in the Robertson Cup semifinals. The team began their playoff run with a sweep of second place Fairbanks followed by a five-game series victory over Kenai River.[5]
The team announced in March 2022 that it had been sold to Copper Island Hockey Club, LLC and would relocate to Eagle River, Wisconsin for the 2022–23 season.[6][7] On May 3, the team was announced as the Wisconsin Windigo.[8]
Season-by-season records
edit| Season | GP | W | L | OTL | PTS | GF | GA | PIM | Finish | Playoffs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Mexico Mustangs | ||||||||||
| 2010–11 | 58 | 19 | 35 | 4 | 42 | 141 | 220 | 1268 | 6th of 6, South | Did not qualify |
| 2011–12 | 60 | 18 | 39 | 3 | 39 | 166 | 269 | 947 | 7th of 7, South | Did not qualify |
| Minnesota Magicians | ||||||||||
| 2013–14 | 60 | 21 | 31 | 8 | 50 | 143 | 193 | 1045 | 6th of 6, Midwest | Did not qualify |
| 2014–15 | 60 | 21 | 35 | 4 | 46 | 160 | 221 | 1062 | 4th of 5, Midwest | Lost first round, 0–3 vs Fairbanks Ice Dogs |
| 2015–16 | 60 | 24 | 28 | 8 | 56 | 164 | 198 | 936 | 5th of 6, Central | Did not qualify |
| 2016–17 | 60 | 31 | 22 | 7 | 69 | 180 | 169 | 691 | 3rd of 6, Midwest | Lost division semifinals, 0–3 vs Fairbanks Ice Dogs |
| 2017–18 | 60 | 28 | 24 | 8 | 64 | 164 | 183 | 789 | 4th of 6, Midwest | Lost division semifinals, 0–3 vs Fairbanks Ice Dogs |
| 2018–19 | 60 | 36 | 21 | 3 | 75 | 175 | 154 | 1347 | 2nd of 6, Midwest | Won division semifinals, 3–1 vs Springfield Jr. Blues Lost division finals, 0–3 vs Fairbanks Ice Dogs |
| 2019–20 | 53 | 21 | 23 | 9 | 51 | 143 | 173 | 554 | 4th of 6, Midwest | Season cancelled due to COVID-19 |
| 2020–21 | 48 | 24 | 21 | 3 | 51 | 144 | 153 | 589 | 3rd of 5, Midwest | Won division semifinals, 3–0 vs Fairbanks Ice Dogs Won division finals, 3–2 vs Kenai River Brown Bears Lost Robertson Cup semifinal, 0–2 vs Aberdeen Wings |
| 2021–22 | 60 | 25 | 26 | 9 | 59 | 197 | 231 | 1002 | 6th of 8, Midwest | Did not qualify |
| Wisconsin Windigo | ||||||||||
| 2022–23 | 60 | 39 | 18 | 3 | 81 | 210 | 147 | 829 | 1st of 8, Midwest 4th of 29 NAHL |
Won division semifinals, 3–0 vs Chippewa Steel lost division finals 1-3 vs Minnesota Wilderness |
| 2023-24 | 60 | 39 | 15 | 6 | 84 | 224 | 146 | 929 | 2nd of 8, Midwest 6th of 32 NAHL |
Won Div. Semi-Finals, 3-0 vs. Janesville Jets Lost Div. Finals, 0-3 vs. Anchorage Wolverines |
Coaches and staff
editAs of July 2024
- Head coach: John Mitchell
- GM: Chris Hedlund
- Assistant coaches: Bryce Reddick
- Owners: Copper Island Hockey Club, LLC - David Rowe – Co-owner and Managing Partner
- Vice President: Kevin Ingvalson
- Former owners: Ron Beran, Scott Krueger, Joe Pankratz[9]
Scott Meyer (2013–2018),[2][9] A.J. Bucchino (2018–2021)[10][11]
References
edit- ^ "New Mexico Mustangs granted inactive status for 2012-13". North American Hockey League. May 23, 2012. Retrieved July 31, 2013.
- ^ a b "Richfield, Minnesota team granted membership to NAHL". North American Hockey League. December 21, 2012. Retrieved July 31, 2013.
- ^ "Richfield, Minnesota team to be named the Minnesota Magicians". North American Hockey League. January 21, 2013. Retrieved July 31, 2013.
- ^ "Standings and Statistics | North American Hockey League | NAHL". North American Hockey League.
- ^ "Magicians win first divisional crown, eye more hardware in Robertson Cup playoffs". Sun Current. June 16, 2021.
- ^ "North American Hockey League team moving from Minnesota to Wisconsin". TV6 Upper Michigans Source.
- ^ "Richfield's Magicians set to move to Wisconsin after the season". Sun Current.
- ^ "Eagle River NAHL team to be named Wisconsin Windigo". May 3, 2022. Retrieved May 31, 2022.
- ^ a b "24 in 24: Minnesota Magicians". NAHL.com. August 31, 2018.
- ^ "Magicians announce leadership and management changes". NAHL. November 13, 2017.
- ^ "Bickford Named Magicians General Manager". OurSports Central. February 2, 2021.