Minnesota Magicians

Last updated

Minnesota Magicians
City Richfield, Minnesota
League North American Hockey League
DivisionMidwest
Founded2010
Home arena Richfield Ice Arena
ColorsBlack, red, and white
   
Franchise history
2010–2012 New Mexico Mustangs
2013–2022 Minnesota Magicians
2022–present Wisconsin Windigo

The Minnesota Magicians were a Tier II junior ice hockey team in the North American Hockey League. Based in Eagle River, Wisconsin, the Windigo play their home games at Eagle River Stadium, affectionately referred to as the "Dome".

Contents

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
2013–14 60213185014319310456th of 6, Midwest
t-20th of 24, NAHL
Did not qualify
2014–15 60213544616022110624th of 5, Midwest
t-18th of 24, NAHL
Lost first round, 0–3 vs Fairbanks Ice Dogs
2015–16 6024288561641989365th of 6, Central
t-16th of 22, NAHL
Did not qualify
2016–17 603122769180169691t–2nd of 6, Midwest
t-10th of 24, NAHL
Lost division semifinals, 0–3 vs Fairbanks Ice Dogs
2017–18 6028248641641837894th of 6, Midwest
t-13th of 23, NAHL
Lost division semifinals, 0–3 vs Fairbanks Ice Dogs
2018–19 60362137517515413472nd of 6, Midwest
t-6th of 24, NAHL
Won division semifinals, 3–1 vs Springfield Jr. Blues
Lost division finals, 0–3 vs Fairbanks Ice Dogs
2019–20 5321239511431735544th of 6, Midwest
16th of 23, NAHL
Postseason cancelled due to COVID-19
2020–21 4824213511441535893rd of 5, Midwest
16th of 23, NAHL
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 60252695919723110026th of 8, Midwest
t-20th of 29, NAHL
Did not qualify

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.