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 | Payton Ruter |
Head coach | Payton Ruter[1] |
Franchise history | |
2007–2016 | Minnesota Flying Aces |
2016–present | Willmar WarHawks |
The Willmar WarHawks are a Tier III junior 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 47-game regular season schedule, and additional post-season games (if qualifying for playoffs). The Warhawks compete in the West Division of the NA3HL along with the Alexandria Blizzard, Granite City Lumberjacks, Mason City Toros, Minnesota Loons, and Rochester Grizzlies.[2]
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 St. Cloud Norsemen and the NA3HL's Alexandria Blizzard. The new owners then relocated the franchise to Willmar, Minnesota. It was at this time the team was renamed the Willmar WarHawks.[3][4]
Regular season records, as of completion of 2023–24 season
Season | Team Name | League | GP | W | L | OTL | SOL | Pts | GF | GA | Regular Season Finish | Playoffs |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2007–08 | Minnesota Flying Aces | MnJHL | 48 | 14 | 31 | 1 | 2 | 31 | 160 | 214 | 7th of 9, MnJHL | Won 1st Round, 2–0 vs Wisconsin Mustangs[5] Lost 2nd Round, 1–2 vs Rochester Ice Hawks[6] |
2008–09 | Minnesota Flying Aces | MnJHL | 48 | 16 | 30 | 0 | 2 | 34 | 153 | 252 | 6th of 9, MnJHL | Lost 1st Round, 0–2 vs Rochester Ice Hawks |
2009–10 | Minnesota Flying Aces | MnJHL | 50 | 15 | 32 | 0 | 3 | 33 | 181 | 251 | 6th of 9, MnJHL | Lost 1st Round, 0–2 vs Rochester Ice Hawks[7] |
2010–11 | Minnesota Flying Aces | MnJHL | 45 | 26 | 15 | 0 | 4 | 56 | 180 | 164 | 3rd of 8, MnJHL | Lost 1st Round, 1–2 vs Hudson Crusaders |
2011–12 | Minnesota Flying Aces | NA3HL | 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 | Minnesota Flying Aces | NA3HL | 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 | Minnesota Flying Aces | NA3HL | 48 | 9 | 36 | 3 | — | 21 | 111 | 275 | 5th of 6, West Div. 19th of 21, NA3HL |
Did not qualify |
2014–15 | Minnesota Flying Aces | NA3HL | 47 | 7 | 37 | 3 | — | 17 | 109 | 273 | 6th of 6, West Div. 30th of 31, NA3HL |
Did not qualify |
2015–16 | Minnesota Flying Aces | NA3HL | 47 | 11 | 34 | 2 | — | 24 | 124 | 248 | 5th of 5, West Div. 26th of 34, NA3HL |
Did not qualify |
2016–17 | Willmar Warhawks | NA3HL | 47 | 22 | 22 | 2 | 1 | 47 | 148 | 175 | 5th of 5, West Div. 30th of 48, NA3HL |
Did not qualify |
2017–18 | Willmar Warhawks | NA3HL | 47 | 22 | 21 | 4 | 0 | 48 | 159 | 182 | 4th of 5, West Div. 23rd of 42, NA3HL |
Lost Div. Semifinals, 0–2 vs. Granite City Lumberjacks |
2018–19 | Willmar Warhawks | NA3HL | 47 | 12 | 33 | 2 | 0 | 26 | 110 | 217 | 7th of 7, West Div. 29th of 36, NA3HL |
Did not qualify |
2019–20 | Willmar Warhawks | NA3HL | 47 | 18 | 24 | 3 | 2 | 41 | 146 | 210 | 5th of 6, West Div. 23rd of 34, NA3HL |
Did not qualify |
2020–21 | Willmar Warhawks | NA3HL | 40 | 22 | 18 | 0 | 0 | 44 | 147 | 138 | 3rd of 5, West Div. 16th of 31, NA3HL |
Won Div. Semifinals, 2–0 vs. Granite City Lumberjacks Lost Div. Finals, 1–2 vs. North Iowa Bulls |
2021–22 | Willmar Warhawks | NA3HL | 47 | 32 | 14 | 0 | 1 | 65 | 219 | 121 | 3rd of 6, West Div. 11th of 34, NA3HL |
Lost Div. Semifinals, 0-2 vs. Mason City Toros |
2022–23 | Willmar Warhawks | NA3HL | 47 | 20 | 25 | 0 | 2 | 42 | 155 | 207 | 4th of 6, West Div. 24th of 34, NA3HL |
Lost Div. Semifinals, 0-2 vs. Granite City Lumberjacks |
2023–24 | Willmar Warhawks | NA3HL | 47 | 16 | 28 | 2 | 1 | 35 | 160 | 189 | 5th of 6, West Div. 25th of 34, NA3HL |
Did not qualify |
Tenure | Head Coach | Years | Record | Pct. |
---|---|---|---|---|
2016-17 | Chris Blasius † | 1+ | 31–30–1–0 | .508 |
2017-18 | Steve Yurichuk | 1 | 6-4-1-0 | .591 |
2017-18 | Mike Bowman †† | 1 | 7-11-2-0 | .400 |
2018-19 | Saverio Posa | 1 | 12-33-2-0 | .277 |
2019–22 | Kirk Olimb | 3 | 72–60–0–2 | .545 |
2022–23 | Connor White & Kyle Christensen ††† | 1+ | 20–25–2–0 | .447 |
2023–present | Payton Ruter | 1 | 16-28-2-1 | .372 |
† Chris Blasius stepped was the head coach for the 2016-17 season, and for the first portion of 2017-18 through 11/17/17.
†† Mike Bowman was hired as fulltime head coach on 12/24/17 to replace interim head coach Steve Yurichuk .
††† Connor White was hired as head coach for 2022-23 season. Kyle Christensen took over as head coach for a portion of the 2022-23 season, before being replaced by Connor White for the remainder of the season. Transition dates have not been able to be verified so both coaches are co-listed for the 2022-23 season.
The Willmar Warhawks statistical leaders consider all historical statistics commencing with the franchise's move to Willmar, MN, prior to the 2016-17 NA3HL season (2016-present).
Brandan Holt (Madison Heights, MI) set the Willmar Warhawks career points record during the 2019-20 season with 114 career points.
Rank | Player | Years | GP | G | A | Pts |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Brandan Holt | 2017-20 | 119 | 40 | 74 | 114 |
2 | Michael Sweetland | 2020-23 | 107 | 44 | 69 | 113 |
3 | Tyler Misialek | 2021-24 | 131 | 59 | 38 | 97 |
4 | Eli Slagter | 2017-20 | 133 | 37 | 52 | 89 |
5 | Jeremiah Konkel | 2020-22 | 85 | 31 | 39 | 70 |
t6 | Braden Shea | 2016-18 | 78 | 27 | 38 | 65 |
t6 | Braydon Buckingham | 2022-24 | 83 | 26 | 39 | 65 |
8 | Max Oelkers | 2016-18 | 95 | 26 | 37 | 63 |
t9 | Luke McCarthy | 2022-24 | 63 | 25 | 34 | 59 |
t9 | Riley Dixon | 2016-18 | 72 | 18 | 41 | 59 |
Tyler Misialek (West Fargo, ND) set the Willmar Warhawks career goals record during the 2023-24 season with 59 career goals.
Rank | Player | Years | GP | G | A | Pts |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Tyler Misialek | 2021-24 | 131 | 59 | 38 | 97 |
2 | Michael Sweetland | 2020-23 | 107 | 44 | 69 | 113 |
3 | Brandan Holt | 2017-20 | 119 | 40 | 74 | 114 |
4 | Eli Slagter | 2017-20 | 133 | 37 | 52 | 89 |
5 | Jeremiah Konkel | 2020-22 | 85 | 31 | 39 | 70 |
6 | Braden Shea | 2016-18 | 78 | 27 | 38 | 65 |
t7 | Max Oelkers | 2016-18 | 95 | 26 | 37 | 63 |
t7 | Jordan Cooper | 2016-18 | 85 | 26 | 25 | 51 |
t7 | Braydon Buckingham | 2022-24 | 83 | 26 | 39 | 65 |
10 | Luke McCarthy | 2022-24 | 63 | 25 | 34 | 59 |
Kyle Wendorf (Richfield, MN) set the Willmar Warhawks NA3HL single season points record during the 2016-17 regular season, the franchise's first season in Willmar, with 56 points.
Rank | Player | Age | Season | GP | G | A | Pts |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Kyle Wendorf | 20 | 2016-17 | 46 | 24 | 32 | 56 |
2 | Jeremiah Konkel | 19 | 2021-22 | 43 | 25 | 27 | 52 |
3 | Brandan Holt | 20 | 2019-20 | 45 | 17 | 34 | 51 |
4 | Anthony Foster | 19 | 2021-22 | 45 | 18 | 32 | 50 |
5 | Michael Sweetland | 20 | 2022-23 | 42 | 17 | 32 | 49 |
t6 | Braden Shea | 19 | 2017-18 | 47 | 17 | 30 | 47 |
t6 | Ben Luedtke | 20 | 2021-22 | 40 | 18 | 29 | 47 |
8 | Collin Kerchoff | 20 | 2021-22 | 41 | 14 | 30 | 44 |
9 | Tyler Misialek | 20 | 2023-24 | 46 | 28 | 14 | 42 |
10 | Wyatt Toll | 19 | 2017-18 | 46 | 9 | 31 | 40 |
Tyler Misialek (West Fargo, ND) set the Willmar Warhawks NA3HL single season goals record during the 2023-24 regular season, with 28 goals.
Rank | Player | Age | Season | GP | G | A | Pts |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Tyler Misialek | 20 | 2023-24 | 46 | 28 | 14 | 42 |
2 | Jeremiah Konkel | 19 | 2021-22 | 43 | 25 | 27 | 52 |
3 | Kyle Wendorf | 20 | 2016-17 | 46 | 24 | 32 | 56 |
4 | Hudson Zinda | 20 | 2023-24 | 30 | 20 | 12 | 32 |
t5 | Eli Slagter | 19 | 2018-19 | 41 | 18 | 21 | 39 |
t5 | Anthony Foster | 19 | 2021-22 | 45 | 18 | 32 | 50 |
t5 | Ben Luedtke | 20 | 2021-22 | 40 | 18 | 29 | 47 |
t5 | Tyler Misialek | 19 | 2022-23 | 41 | 18 | 15 | 33 |
t9 | Braden Shea | 19 | 2017-18 | 47 | 17 | 30 | 47 |
t9 | Brandan Holt | 20 | 2019-20 | 45 | 17 | 34 | 51 |
t9 | Dylan Svoboda | 20 | 2019-20 | 47 | 17 | 13 | 30 |
t9 | Michael Sweetland | 20 | 2022-23 | 47 | 17 | 32 | 49 |
The franchise statistical leaders consider all historical statistics commencing with the franchise's inaugural NA3HL season (2011–12), including all NA3HL seasons for the Minnesota Flying Aces (2011-2016) & Willmar Warhawks (2016–present).
Brandan Holt (Madison Heights, MI) set the franchise NA3HL career points record during the 2019-20 season with 114 career points.
Rank | Player | Years | GP | G | A | Pts |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Brandan Holt | 2017-20 | 119 | 40 | 74 | 114 |
2 | Michael Sweetland | 2020-23 | 107 | 44 | 69 | 113 |
3 | Kyle Wendorf | 2015-17 | 93 | 46 | 55 | 101 |
4 | Tyler Misialek | 2021-24 | 131 | 59 | 38 | 97 |
5 | Eli Slagter | 2017-20 | 133 | 37 | 52 | 89 |
6 | Jake Mullendore | 2013-15 | 74 | 34 | 37 | 71 |
7 | Jeremiah Konkel | 2020-22 | 85 | 31 | 39 | 70 |
t8 | Braden Shea | 2016-18 | 78 | 27 | 38 | 65 |
t8 | Braydon Buckingham | 2022-24 | 83 | 26 | 39 | 65 |
10 | Wyatt Toll | 2015-18 | 108 | 11 | 53 | 64 |
Tyler Misialek (West Fargo, ND) set the franchise NA3HL career goals record during the 2023-24 season with 59 career goals.
Rank | Player | Years | GP | G | A | Pts |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Tyler Misialek | 2021-24 | 131 | 59 | 38 | 97 |
2 | Kyle Wendorf | 2015-17 | 93 | 46 | 55 | 101 |
3 | Michael Sweetland | 2020-23 | 107 | 44 | 69 | 113 |
4 | Brandan Holt | 2017-20 | 119 | 40 | 74 | 114 |
5 | Eli Slagter | 2017-20 | 133 | 37 | 52 | 89 |
6 | Jake Mullendore | 2013-15 | 74 | 34 | 37 | 71 |
7 | Jeremiah Konkel | 2020-22 | 85 | 31 | 39 | 70 |
8 | Parker Tomczyk | 2011-12 | 45 | 30 | 30 | 60 |
9 | Braden Shea | 2016-18 | 78 | 27 | 38 | 65 |
t10 | Max Oelkers | 2016-18 | 95 | 26 | 37 | 63 |
t10 | Alec Skar | 2015-17 | 76 | 26 | 35 | 61 |
t10 | Jordan Cooper | 2016-18 | 85 | 26 | 25 | 51 |
t10 | Braydon Buckingham | 2022-24 | 83 | 26 | 39 | 65 |
Parker Tomczyk (Mosinee, WI) set the franchise NA3HL single season points record during the franchise's inaugural NA3HL season (2011–12) with 59 points during the regular season.
Rank | Player | Age | Season | GP | G | A | Pts |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Parker Tomczyk | 20 | 2011-12 | 43 | 29 | 30 | 59 |
2 | Kyle Wendorf | 20 | 2016-17 | 46 | 24 | 32 | 56 |
3 | Jeremiah Konkel | 19 | 2021-22 | 43 | 25 | 27 | 52 |
4 | Brandan Holt | 20 | 2019-20 | 45 | 17 | 34 | 51 |
5 | Anthony Foster | 19 | 2021-22 | 45 | 18 | 32 | 50 |
6 | Michael Sweetland | 20 | 2022-23 | 42 | 17 | 32 | 49 |
7 | Paul Sorenson | 19 | 2011-12 | 48 | 10 | 38 | 48 |
t8 | Jake Mullendore | 19 | 2013-14 | 48 | 24 | 23 | 47 |
t8 | Braden Shea | 19 | 2017-18 | 47 | 17 | 30 | 47 |
t8 | Ben Luedtke | 20 | 2021-22 | 40 | 18 | 29 | 47 |
Parker Tomczyk (Mosinee, WI) set the franchise NA3HL single season goal record during the franchise's inaugural NA3HL season (2011–12) with 29 goals during the regular season.
Rank | Player | Age | Season | GP | G | A | Pts |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Parker Tomczyk | 20 | 2011-12 | 43 | 29 | 30 | 59 |
2 | Tyler Misialek | 20 | 2023-24 | 46 | 28 | 14 | 42 |
3 | Jeremiah Konkel | 19 | 2021-22 | 43 | 25 | 27 | 52 |
t4 | Stephen Langford | 19 | 2011-12 | 40 | 24 | 20 | 44 |
t4 | Liam Johnston | 18 | 2011-12 | 46 | 24 | 10 | 34 |
t4 | Jake Mullendore | 19 | 2013-14 | 48 | 24 | 23 | 47 |
t4 | Kyle Wendorf | 20 | 2016-17 | 46 | 24 | 32 | 56 |
8 | Kyle Wendorf | 19 | 2015-16 | 47 | 22 | 23 | 45 |
9 | Hudson Zinda | 20 | 2023-24 | 30 | 20 | 12 | 32 |
10 | Eric Cruickshank | 20 | 2013-14 | 34 | 19 | 24 | 43 |
t11 | Bradee Thompson | 20 | 2014-15 | 46 | 18 | 24 | 42 |
t11 | Alec Skar | 18 | 2015-16 | 41 | 18 | 16 | 34 |
t11 | Eli Slagter | 19 | 2018-19 | 41 | 18 | 21 | 39 |
t11 | Anthony Foster | 19 | 2021-22 | 45 | 18 | 32 | 50 |
t11 | Ben Luedtke | 20 | 2021-22 | 40 | 18 | 29 | 47 |
t11 | Tyler Misialek | 19 | 2022-23 | 41 | 18 | 15 | 33 |