| Willmar WarHawks | |
 | |
| 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: | Chris Blaisuis |
| 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
Flying Aces' logo
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.[1][2]
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 | |
| 2008–09 | 48 | 16 | 30 | 0 | 2 | 34 | 153 | 252 | 6th of 9, MnJHL | |
| 2009–10 | 50 | 15 | 32 | 0 | 3 | 33 | 181 | 251 | 6th of 9, MnJHL | Lost 1st Round, 0-2 vs Rochester Ice Hawks |
| 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 |
| Wilmar WarHawks | ||||||||||
| 2016-17 | 47 | 22 | 22 | 2 | 1 | 47 | 148 | 175 | 5th of 5, West Div. | Did not qualify |
References
- ↑ 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 (15 June 2016).