The Northwest Express are a Tier III Junior A ice hockey team playing in the United States Premier Hockey League (Premier Division). The team plays their home games at the Spooner Civic Center located in Spooner, Wisconsin.

Northwest Express
CitySpooner, Wisconsin
LeagueUSPHL
DivisionMidwest West
Founded2011
Home arenaSpooner Civic Center
ColorsBlue, black, and White
     
Owner(s)Joe Dibble
General managerJon Jonasson
Head coachNic Leibold
Franchise history
2011–2015Maple Grove Energy
2015–2017Blaine Energy
2020–2024Minnesota Moose
2024–currentNorthwest Express

History

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Founded in 2011, the Maple Grove Energy replaced the recently folded Minnesota Wildcats in Maple Grove.[1] During the 2015 off-season the Energy relocated to Blaine, Minnesota, and changed their name accordingly.

Prior to the 2015–16 season, the Energy were members of the Minnesota Junior Hockey League (MnJHL). At the conclusion of the 2014–15 season the majority of the MnJHL members joined the United States Premier Hockey League by creating the USPHL-Midwest Division and the MnJHL ceased operations. After one season, the USPHL-Midwest was split into the Elite and USP3 Divisions with the Energy added to the Elite Division for 2016–17.

In February 2017, owner Cal Ballard announced that he had given up management operations of the Energy to the Dibble Group (an management group headed by the Janesville Jets head coach in the North American Hockey League) in October 2016. His reasons were due to the changing landscape of Tier III junior hockey and the difficulties of fielding a team. He assumed the Energy would be ceasing operations at the end of the season.[2]

May 31, 2024 the USPHL - Premier announced that the Minnesota Moose would be relocating to Spooner, Wisconsin and rebranding to the Northwest Express.

Season-by-season records

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Season GP W L OTL Pts GF GA Regular Season Finish Playoffs
Maple Grove Energy
2011–12 48 1 44 3 13 114 384 8th, MnJHL Did not qualify
2012–13 50 25 22 3 53 191 207 4th, MnJHL-MN Lost Division Quarterfinals, 1–2 vs. Steele County Blades
2013–14 46 31 13 2 64 179 222 2nd, MnJHL-MN Won Division Quarterfinals, 2–0 vs. Edina Lakers
Lost Division Semifinals, 0–2 vs. Hudson Crusaders
2014–15 42 16 24 2 34 187 246 6th of 8, Minn. Div.
10th of 14, MnJHL
Lost Division Quarterfinals, 0–2 vs. Hudson Crusaders
Blaine Energy
2015–16 48 8 38 2 18 99 303 9th of 9, West Conf.
16th of 17, USPHL-Midwest
Did not qualify
2016–17 44 5 37 2 12 67 319 7th of 8, Midwest Div.
24th of 27, USPHL-Elite
Lost Div. Quarterfinals, 0–2 vs. Dells Ducks
Minnesota Moose
2020–21 44 37 6 1 75 254 104 2nd of 9, Midwest West
3rd of 61, USPHL-Premier
Won Div. Quarterfinals, 2-0 vs. Rum River Mallards
Won Div. Semifinals 2-1 Hudson Havoc
1-2 Pool D eliminated
2021–22 44 23 17 4 50 183 133 4th of 8, Midwest West
31st of 64, USPHL-Premier
Won Div. Quarterfinals, 2-0 vs. Steele County Blades
Lost Div. Semifinals 0-2 Minnesota Blue Ox
2022–23 44 28 15 1 57 186 135 3rd of 9, Midwest West
26th of 70, USPHL-Premier
Won Div. Quarterfinals, 2-0 vs. Steele County Blades
Won Div. Semifinals 2-1 Minnesota Squatch
2023–24 44 23 18 3 49 143 118 5th of 9, Midwest West
33rd of 61, USPHL-Premier
Won Div. Quarterfinals, 2-0 vs. Minnesota Blue Ox
Lost Div. Semifinals 0-2 Minnesota Squatch
Northwest Express
2024–25 ??th of 9, Midwest West
??th of 61, USPHL-Premier

Alumni

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The franchise has produced some alumni playing in higher levels of junior hockey, NCAA Division III, and ACHA college programs.[citation needed]

References

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  1. ^ "New Junior Hockey Team Coming to Maple Grove". Maple Grove Patch. June 20, 2011.
  2. ^ "February 24, 2017 Blaine Energy Facebook post". Facebook. February 24, 2017.
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