Willmar WarHawks
| Willmar WarHawks | |
|---|---|
| File:Willmar WarHawks logo.jpg | |
| City | Willmar, Minnesota |
| League | NA3HL |
| Division | West |
| Founded | 2007 |
| Home arena | Willmar Civic Center |
| Colors | Red, black, gray, and white |
| Owner(s) | Blizzard Hockey, LLC. |
| General manager | Matt Johnson |
| Head coach | Kirk Olimb[1] |
| Franchise history | |
| 2007–2016 | Minnesota Flying Aces |
| 2016–present | Willmar WarHawks |
The Willmar WarHawks are a Tier III ice hockey team playing in the North American 3 Hockey League (NA3HL). The team plays their home games at the Willmar Civic Center located in Willmar, Minnesota. NA3HL teams play a 48-game regular season, in addition to showcase and post-season games.
History
Established as the Minnesota Flying Aces, the franchise's first season was in 2007–08 as members of the Minnesota Junior Hockey League (MnJHL). The Flying Aces were based out Little Falls, Minnesota, and played their home games at Exchange Arena. Following the 2010–11 season, the franchise moved to the North American 3 Hockey League along with in-state rival,the Granite City Lumberjacks.
On May 24, 2016, Flying Aces owners John and Debbie Holthaus sold the franchise to Blizzard Hockey, LLC. Blizzard Hockey also owns the North American Hockey League's Brookings Blizzard and the NA3HL's Alexandria Blizzard. The new owners then relocated the franchise to Willmar, Minnesota, and renamed the team Willmar WarHawks.[2][3]
Season-by-season records
| Season | GP | W | L | OTL | SOL | Pts | GF | GA | Regular Season Finish | Playoffs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Junior Hockey League | ||||||||||
| 2007–08 | 48 | 14 | 31 | 1 | 2 | 31 | 160 | 214 | 7th of 9, MnJHL | Won 1st Round, 2–0 vs Wisconsin Mustangs[4] Lost 2nd Round, 1–2 vs Rochester Ice Hawks[5] |
| 2008–09 | 48 | 16 | 30 | 0 | 2 | 34 | 153 | 252 | 6th of 9, MnJHL | Lost 1st Round, 0–2 vs Rochester Ice Hawks |
| 2009–10 | 50 | 15 | 32 | 0 | 3 | 33 | 181 | 251 | 6th of 9, MnJHL | Lost 1st Round, 0–2 vs Rochester Ice Hawks[6] |
| 2010–11 | 45 | 26 | 15 | 0 | 4 | 56 | 180 | 164 | 3rd of 8, MnJHL | Lost 1st Round, 1–2 vs Hudson Crusaders |
| North American 3 Hockey League | ||||||||||
| 2011–12 | 48 | 21 | 24 | 2 | 1 | 45 | 176 | 201 | 4th of 4, West Div. 12th of 16, NA3HL |
Lost Div. Semifinals, 0–2 vs Granite City Lumberjacks |
| 2012–13 | 48 | 20 | 26 | 1 | 1 | 42 | 137 | 175 | 4th of 6, West Div. 11th of 17, NA3HL |
Lost Div. Semifinals, 0–3 vs North Iowa Bulls |
| 2013–14 | 48 | 9 | 36 | 3 | — | 21 | 111 | 275 | 5th of 6, West Div. 19th of 21, NA3HL |
Did not qualify |
| 2014–15 | 47 | 7 | 37 | 3 | — | 17 | 109 | 273 | 6th of 6, West Div. 30th of 31, NA3HL |
Did not qualify |
| 2015–16 | 47 | 11 | 34 | 2 | — | 24 | 124 | 248 | 5th of 5, West Div. 26th of 34, NA3HL |
Did not qualify |
| Willmar Warhawks | ||||||||||
| 2016–17 | 47 | 22 | 22 | 2 | 1 | 47 | 148 | 175 | 5th of 5, West Div. 30th of 48, NA3HL |
Did not qualify |
| 2017–18 | 47 | 22 | 21 | 4 | 0 | 48 | 159 | 182 | 4th of 5, West Div. 23rd of 42, NA3HL |
Lost Div. Semifinals, 0–2 vs. Granite City Lumberjacks |
| 2018–19 | 47 | 12 | 33 | 2 | 0 | 26 | 110 | 217 | 7th of 7, West Div. 29th of 36, NA3HL |
Did not qualify |
| 2019–20 | 47 | 18 | 24 | 3 | 2 | 41 | 146 | 210 | 5th of 6, West Div. 23rd of 34, NA3HL |
Did not qualify |
Alumni
- Blake Anderson (2014) - Kirkland Lake Gold Miners; UW-River Falls (NCAA Division III)
- Alec Brandrup (2013) - Melville Millionaires; Norwich University (NCAA Division III)
- Giacomo Del Ponte (2011) - HC Red Ice Martigny-Verbier
- Brad Hauser (2013) - St. Mary's University (NCAA Division III)
- Luc Kilgore (2011) - Johnson & Wales University (NCAA Division III); Knoxville Ice Bears, Macon Mayhem (SPHL)
- Johno May (2013) - Minnesota Wilderness; American International College (NCAA Division I)
- Lee Melde (2010) - Duluth Clydesdales; State University of New York at Canton (NCAA Division III)
- Dylan Nelson (2013) - Waywayseecappo Wolverines; UW-Superior (NCAA Division III)
- Tyler Pionk (2012) - Minot Minotauros; Western New England University (NCAA Division III)
- André Pison (2013) - Denmark U18 and U20; Wenatchee Wild; Wichita Falls Wildcats
- Michael Raynee (2010) - Botkyrka HC
- Tate Sykes (2013) - Odessa Jackalopes; UW-Eau Claire (NCAA Division III)
- Mason Wyman (2013) - Odessa Jackalopes; Gustavus (NCAA Division III)
References
- ^ "3View: Willmar WarHawks". NA3HL. September 5, 2019.
- ^ "NA3HL's Flying Aces purchased, relocated by NAHL Blizzard ownership". Junior Hockey News. May 24, 2016.
- ^ "NA3HL hockey team announces its new name: Willmar WarHawks". West Central Tribune. 15 June 2016.
- ^ "Fatis not surprised by Flying Aces' success". Rochester Post-Bulletin. 6 March 2008.
- ^ "Ice Hawks oust Flying Aces in deciding game". Rochester Post-Bulletin. 11 March 2008.
- ^ "Ice Hawks move to crucial semifinals". Rochester Post-Bulletin. 8 March 2010.