Wisconsin Windigo

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
CityEagle River, Wisconsin
LeagueNorth American Hockey League
DivisionMidwest
Founded2010
Home arenaEagle River Stadium
ColorsBlue, black, and grey
     
Owner(s)Copper Island Hockey Club LLC
General managerChris Hedlund
Head coachBlake Hietala
(Hired 2022)
Franchise history
2010–2012New Mexico Mustangs
2013–2022Minnesota Magicians
2022–presentWisconsin Windigo

History

The 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
SeasonGPWLOTLPTSGFGAPIMFinishPlayoffs
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
2013–1460213185014319310456th of 6, MidwestDid 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
2015–166024288561641989365th of 6, CentralDid 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
2017–186028248641641837894th of 6, MidwestLost division semifinals, 0–3 vs Fairbanks Ice Dogs
2018–1960362137517515413472nd of 6, MidwestWon division semifinals, 3–1 vs Springfield Jr. Blues
Lost division finals, 0–3 vs Fairbanks Ice Dogs
2019–205321239511431735544th of 6, MidwestSeason cancelled due to COVID-19
2020–214824213511441535893rd of 5, MidwestWon 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
2021–2260252695919723110026th of 8, MidwestDid not qualify
Wisconsin Windigo
2022–236039183812101478291st 6th of 8, Midwest
4th of 29 NAHL		tbd division semifinals, 2–0 vs Chippewa Steel

Coaches and staff

As of May 2021[9][10]

  • Head coach/GM: Nick Bydal[11][12]
  • Assistant coaches: Jake Hansen
  • Owners: Ron Beran, Scott Krueger, Joe Pankratz[13]
  • Vice President: Kevin Ingvalson
  • Former owners: Scott Meyer (2013–2018),[2][13] A.J. Bucchino (2018–2021)[14][15]

References
  1. "New Mexico Mustangs granted inactive status for 2012-13". North American Hockey League. May 23, 2012. Retrieved July 31, 2013.
  2. "Richfield, Minnesota team granted membership to NAHL". North American Hockey League. December 21, 2012. Retrieved July 31, 2013.
  3. "Richfield, Minnesota team to be named the Minnesota Magicians". North American Hockey League. January 21, 2013. Retrieved July 31, 2013.
  4. "Standings and Statistics | North American Hockey League | NAHL". North American Hockey League.
  5. "Magicians win first divisional crown, eye more hardware in Robertson Cup playoffs". Sun Current. June 16, 2021.
  6. "North American Hockey League team moving from Minnesota to Wisconsin". TV6 Upper Michigans Source.
  7. "Richfield's Magicians set to move to Wisconsin after the season". Sun Current.
  8. "Eagle River NAHL team to be named Wisconsin Windigo". May 3, 2022. Retrieved May 31, 2022.
  9. "Front Office". Magicians. Retrieved May 17, 2021.
  10. "Hockey Operations". Magicians. Retrieved May 17, 2021.
  11. "Magicians name Nick Bydal as new Head Coach". NAHL. June 28, 2021.
  12. "Coaching shakeup for Magicians brings a familiar face back to Richfield". Sun Current. June 30, 2021.
  13. "24 in 24: Minnesota Magicians". NAHL.com. August 31, 2018.
  14. "Magicians announce leadership and management changes". NAHL. November 13, 2017.
  15. "Bickford Named Magicians General Manager". OurSports Central. February 2, 2021.
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