The Wisconsin Woodsmen are a Tier III junior ice hockey team based in Tomah, Wisconsin. They are members of the Central Division of the North American 3 Hockey League (NA3HL).
| Wisconsin Woodsmen | |
|---|---|
| City | Tomah, Wisconsin |
| League | North American 3 Hockey League |
| Division | Central |
| Founded | 2011 |
| Home arena | Tomah Ice Center |
| Colors | Red, light blue, black, silver |
| Owner(s) | Adam Keer Ryan Egan |
| General manager | Adam Keer |
| Head coach | Jon Vaillancourt[1] |
| Franchise history | |
| 2011–2016 | Twin City Steel |
| 2016–2023 | New Ulm Steel |
| 2023–present | Wisconsin Woodsmen |
History
editFounded in 2011 when the North American 3 Hockey League (NA3HL) announced its expansion from 12 teams to 16. The Twin City Steel were to be based in the new White Bear Lake Sports Center in White Bear Lake, Minnesota, starting for the 2011–12 season alongside the other three other new NA3HL teams: the Minnesota Junior Hockey League transfers, Granite City Lumberjacks and Minnesota Flying Aces, and an expansion team, the North Iowa Bulls. The Twin City Steel played their first season out of the new Vadnais Sports Center, situated in the Twin Cities, which includes the suburbs of White Bear Lake, North St. Paul, Forest Lake, Roseville and Moundsview. The Twin City Steel lost their first game, 4–3, at the Granite City Lumberjacks on September 10, 2011, and would record their first win less than a week later at their home-opener.
It was announced on April 23, 2013, that the Steel have been sold by Scott Wallin to the Black family.[2]
After a successful 30–13–4 record during the 2015–16 regular season, the Steel would go on to win their first West Division Championship by sweeping the defending league champions, Granite City Lumberjacks. The Steel then made their first NA3HL Silver Cup Playoff appearance but would lose in overtime to the eventual Silver Cup Champion North Iowa Bulls.
On April 26, 2016, it was announced that the Twin City Steel would be relocating to New Ulm, Minnesota, to become the New Ulm Steel. In 2018, Steve Black also purchased a team in the Tier II North American Hockey League (NAHL) and relocated it as the Chippewa Steel. In March 2021, Steve Black sold both Steel teams to an ownership group led by Kelly Kasik.[3]
In April 2023, the Pinnacle Hockey Group, LLC, consisting of owners Adam Keer and Ryan Egan, purchased and relocated the New Ulm Steel to Tomah, Wisconsin, as the Wisconsin Woodsmen.[4]
Season-by-season records
edit| Season | GP | W | L | OTL | SOL | Pts | GF | GA | PIM | Regular Season Finish | Playoffs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Twin Cities Steel | |||||||||||
| 2011–12 | 48 | 24 | 21 | 2 | 1 | 51 | 173 | 173 | 1507 | 3rd of 4, West 9th of 19, NA3HL |
Lost Div. Semifinals, 0–2 vs. North Iowa Bulls |
| 2012–13 | 48 | 19 | 26 | 1 | 2 | 41 | 167 | 226 | 1210 | 5th of 6, West 12th of 17, NA3HL |
Did not qualify |
| 2013–14 | 48 | 22 | 20 | 6 | — | 50 | 186 | 201 | 1000 | 4th of 6, West 13th of 21, NA3HL |
Lost Div. Semifinals, 0–2 vs. North Iowa Bulls |
| 2014–15 | 47 | 23 | 22 | 2 | — | 48 | 161 | 170 | 1364 | 4th of 6, West 20th of 31, NA3HL |
Lost Div. Semifinals, 0–2 vs. North Iowa Bulls |
| 2015–16 | 47 | 30 | 13 | 4 | — | 64 | 219 | 160 | 660 | 2nd of 5, West 15th of 34, NA3HL |
Won Div. Semifinals, 2–1 vs. Breezy Point North Stars Won Div. Finals, 2–0 vs. Granite City Lumberjacks 1–2–0 in Silver Cup Round Robin (L, 3–4 vs. Jr. Blues; L, 1–2 vs. Jets; W, 5–2 vs. Jr. Brahmas) Lost Semifinal game, 3–4 OT vs. North Iowa Bulls |
| New Ulm Steel | |||||||||||
| 2016–17 | 47 | 26 | 18 | 0 | 3 | 55 | 183 | 163 | 765 | 3rd of 5, West 19th of 48, NA3HL |
Won Div. Semifinals, 2–1 vs. Alexandria Blizzard Lost Div. Finals, 1–2 vs. Granite City Lumberjacks |
| 2017–18 | 47 | 30 | 11 | 4 | 2 | 66 | 204 | 133 | 469 | 2nd of 5, West 13th of 42, NA3HL |
Won Div. Semifinals, 2–1 vs. Alexandria Blizzard Lost Div. Finals, 0–2 vs. Granite City Lumberjacks |
| 2018–19 | 47 | 25 | 18 | 1 | 3 | 54 | 192 | 178 | 771 | 5th of 7, West 20th of 36, NA3HL |
Did not qualify |
| 2019–20 | 47 | 31 | 13 | 2 | 1 | 65 | 195 | 136 | 690 | 3rd of 6, West 11th of 34, NA3HL |
Playoffs cancelled |
| 2020–21 | 40 | 7 | 29 | 4 | 0 | 18 | 86 | 185 | 513 | 5th of 5, West 29th of 31, NA3HL |
Did not qualify |
| 2021–22 | 47 | 10 | 36 | 1 | 0 | 21 | 98 | 245 | 737 | 5th of 6, West 29th of 34, NA3HL |
Did not qualify |
| 2022–23 | 47 | 15 | 26 | 1 | 5 | 36 | 145 | 205 | 991 | 5th of 6, West 26th of 34, NA3HL |
Did not qualify |
| Wisconsin Woodsmen | |||||||||||
| 2023-24 | 42 | 22 | 17 | 1 | 2 | 47 | 150 | 118 | 588 | 4th of 6, Central 18 of 34, NA3HL |
Lost Div Semifinal 0-2 (Wausau Cyclones) |
References
edit- ^ "VAILLANCOURT NAMED TO LEAD WOODSMEN". woodsmenhockey.com. May 23, 2023.
- ^ "Twin City Steel announce ownership change".
- ^ "New Ulm Steel have a new owner". The Journal. March 9, 2021.
- ^ "NA3HL announces new team in Tomah, Wisconsin". NA3HL. April 10, 2023.
