Isanti Outlaws

The Isanti Outlaws are a junior ice hockey team based in Isanti, Minnesota. They compete in the United States Premier Hockey League (USPHL) Premier Division. The team plays its home games at Isanti Ice Arena.

Isanti Outlaws
CityIsanti, Minnesota
LeagueUnited States Premier Hockey League
DivisionMidwest West
Founded2014
Home arenaIsanti Ice Arena
Owner(s)Jason Porter
Head coachDon Babineau
Franchise history
2014–2018Ironwood Fighting Yoopers
2018–2022Rum River Mallards
2022–presentIsanti Outlaws

History

Formed in the summer of 2018, the Rum River Mallards joined the United States Premier Hockey League (USPHL) Premier Division as a member of the Midwest-West Division. The team was initially led by team president Glen Lucken and Brad Zangs as its first head coach and general manager.[1] A group of investors, including Zangs, purchased the Ironwood Fighting Yoopers who were established in 2014 competing in the Minnesota Junior Hockey League (MnJHL) one season before joining the USPHL from 2016 to 2018.[2]

Rum River earned their first victory on September 28, 2018, defeating the host Hudson Havoc 6–4.[3] After 17 games played, the team was sold to local businessman Eddy Wilkinson who hired new head coach, Jimmy Jensen.[4]

The Mallards' inaugural season ended with 51 points, one point back of the Minnesota Blue Ox, despite two regular season games being cancelled. Unable to reschedule those games before the playoffs, the Blue Ox hosted the best-of-three series as the higher seed. The Mallards defeated the Blue Ox in the second game 11–6 before being eliminated the following night.[5][6]

After a good start to their second season, Jimmy Jensen stepped away from the bench for family reasons.[7] He was replaced in early December by Triston Jensen, a former goaltender who played in both the MnJHL and USPHL.[8] Triston played collegiate hockey at the ACHA level with Saginaw Valley State University. Rum River ended the 2019–20 season as the fifth seed with another playoff matchup against the Blue Ox.[9] After winning the first game, the Minnesota Blue Ox responded by winning the final two games to advance in the division playoffs.[10]

After four seasons as the Mallards team owner Jason Porter announced a new identity, Isanti Outlaws, in April 2022.

Season-by-season
SeasonGPWLOTLPtsGFGAFinishPlayoffs
2018–194225161511701085th of 9, Midwest-West
23rd of 52, USPHL-Premier		Lost First Round, 1–2 vs. Minnesota Blue Ox
2019–204426171532071545th of 9, Midwest-West
20th of 52, USPHL-Premier		Lost First Round, 1–2 vs. Minnesota Blue Ox
2020–21449332201232227th of 9, Midwest-West
52nd of 62, USPHL-Premier		Lost First Round, 0–2 vs. Minnesota Moose
2021–224411312241432457th of 8, Midwest-West
55th of 64, USPHL-Premier		 Lost First Round, 0–2 vs. Wisconsin Rapids Riverkings[11]
Isanti Outlaws
2022–234420231411492007th of 9, Midwest-West
45nd of 69, USPHL-Premier 		Lost First Round, 0–2 vs. Minnesota Squatch

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References
  1. "Local graduates sign with Rum River Mallards". Isanti County News. July 20, 2018.
  2. "Welcome to the 'Fighting Yoopers'". The Daily Globe. April 14, 2014.
  3. "Rum River Mallards vs Hudson Havoc". USPHL. September 28, 2018. Archived from the original on January 27, 2021. Retrieved May 6, 2020.
  4. "Rum River Mallards under new management". Isanti County News. November 27, 2018.
  5. "Rum River Mallards vs Minnesota Blue Ox". USPHL. February 24, 2019. Archived from the original on January 27, 2021. Retrieved May 6, 2020.
  6. "Rum River Mallards' season comes to a close". Isanti County News. February 27, 2019.
  7. "Mallards excel in Showcase at Fogerty". Isanti County News. October 31, 2019.
  8. "Triston Jensen named new Mallards bench boss". Isanti County News. January 9, 2020.
  9. "Rum River Mallards taking off as playoffs approach". Isanti County News. February 21, 2020.
  10. "Mallards, Charland take Game 1 vs Blue Ox". Ludwig Media. February 28, 2020.
  11. "Riverkings sweep first round of playoffs". Wisconsin Rapids City Times. March 10, 2022.
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