Willmar WarHawks

Willmar WarHawks
CityWillmar, Minnesota
LeagueNA3HL
DivisionWest
Founded2007
Home arenaWillmar Civic Center
ColorsRed, black, gray, and white
       
Owner(s)Blizzard Hockey, LLC.
General managerPayton Ruter
Head coachPayton Ruter[1]
Franchise history
2007–2016Minnesota Flying Aces
2016–presentWillmar 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]

History

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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 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]

Season-by-Season Team Records

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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

Coaching History

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As of completion of 2023–24 season

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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.

Statistical Leaders

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Willmar Warhawks Statistical Leaders

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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).

Willmar Warhawks Career Points Leaders

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Brandan Holt (Madison Heights, MI) set the Willmar Warhawks career points record during the 2019-20 season with 114 career points.

NA3HL Regular + Post-Season Combined - Updated Following 2023-24 Season
[edit]
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

Willmar Warhawks Career Goal Leaders

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Tyler Misialek (West Fargo, ND) set the Willmar Warhawks career goals record during the 2023-24 season with 59 career goals.

NA3HL Regular + Post-Season Combined - Updated Following 2023-34 Season
[edit]
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

Willmar Warhawks Single Season Points Leaders

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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.

NA3HL Regular Season - Updated Following 2023-24 Season
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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

Willmar Warhawks Single Season Goal Leaders

[edit]

Tyler Misialek (West Fargo, ND) set the Willmar Warhawks NA3HL single season goals record during the 2023-24 regular season, with 28 goals.

NA3HL Regular Season - Updated Following 2023-24 Season
[edit]
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

Franchise Statistical Leaders

[edit]

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).

Franchise Career Points Leaders

[edit]

Brandan Holt (Madison Heights, MI) set the franchise NA3HL career points record during the 2019-20 season with 114 career points.

NA3HL Regular + Post-Season Combined - Updated Following 2023-24 Season
[edit]
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

Franchise Career Goal Leaders

[edit]

Tyler Misialek (West Fargo, ND) set the franchise NA3HL career goals record during the 2023-24 season with 59 career goals.

NA3HL Regular + Post-Season Combined - Updated Following 2023-24 Season
[edit]
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

Franchise Single Season Points Leaders

[edit]

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.

NA3HL Regular Season - Updated Following 2023-24 Season
[edit]
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

Franchise Single Season Goal Leaders

[edit]

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.

NA3HL Regular Season - Updated Following 2023-24 Season
[edit]
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

Alumni

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References

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  1. ^ "Warhawks name next head coach". willmarwarhawks.com. May 22, 2023.
  2. ^ "NA3HL Standings | North American Tier III Hockey League | NA3HL". na3hl.com.
  3. ^ "NA3HL's Flying Aces purchased, relocated by NAHL Blizzard ownership". Junior Hockey News. May 24, 2016.
  4. ^ "NA3HL hockey team announces its new name: Willmar WarHawks". West Central Tribune. 15 June 2016.
  5. ^ "Fatis not surprised by Flying Aces' success". Rochester Post-Bulletin. 6 March 2008.
  6. ^ "Ice Hawks oust Flying Aces in deciding game". Rochester Post-Bulletin. 11 March 2008.
  7. ^ "Ice Hawks move to crucial semifinals". Rochester Post-Bulletin. 8 March 2010.
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