The Wisconsin Woodsmen are a Tier III junior ice hockey team based in Tomah, Wisconsin. They are members of the Central Division of the North American 3 Hockey League (NA3HL).

Wisconsin Woodsmen
CityTomah, Wisconsin
LeagueNorth American 3 Hockey League
DivisionCentral
Founded2011
Home arenaTomah Ice Center
ColorsRed, light blue, black, silver
       
Owner(s)Adam Keer
Ryan Egan
General managerAdam Keer
Head coachJon Vaillancourt[1]
Franchise history
2011–2016Twin City Steel
2016–2023New Ulm Steel
2023–presentWisconsin Woodsmen

History

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Founded in 2011 when the North American 3 Hockey League (NA3HL) announced its expansion from 12 teams to 16. The Twin City Steel were to be based in the new White Bear Lake Sports Center in White Bear Lake, Minnesota, starting for the 2011–12 season alongside the other three other new NA3HL teams: the Minnesota Junior Hockey League transfers, Granite City Lumberjacks and Minnesota Flying Aces, and an expansion team, the North Iowa Bulls. The Twin City Steel played their first season out of the new Vadnais Sports Center, situated in the Twin Cities, which includes the suburbs of White Bear Lake, North St. Paul, Forest Lake, Roseville and Moundsview. The Twin City Steel lost their first game, 4–3, at the Granite City Lumberjacks on September 10, 2011, and would record their first win less than a week later at their home-opener.

It was announced on April 23, 2013, that the Steel have been sold by Scott Wallin to the Black family.[2]

After a successful 30–13–4 record during the 2015–16 regular season, the Steel would go on to win their first West Division Championship by sweeping the defending league champions, Granite City Lumberjacks. The Steel then made their first NA3HL Silver Cup Playoff appearance but would lose in overtime to the eventual Silver Cup Champion North Iowa Bulls.

 
New Ulm Steel logo.

On April 26, 2016, it was announced that the Twin City Steel would be relocating to New Ulm, Minnesota, to become the New Ulm Steel. In 2018, Steve Black also purchased a team in the Tier II North American Hockey League (NAHL) and relocated it as the Chippewa Steel. In March 2021, Steve Black sold both Steel teams to an ownership group led by Kelly Kasik.[3]

In April 2023, the Pinnacle Hockey Group, LLC, consisting of owners Adam Keer and Ryan Egan, purchased and relocated the New Ulm Steel to Tomah, Wisconsin, as the Wisconsin Woodsmen.[4]

Season-by-season records

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Season GP W L OTL SOL Pts GF GA PIM Regular Season Finish Playoffs
Twin Cities Steel
2011–12 48 24 21 2 1 51 173 173 1507 3rd of 4, West
9th of 19, NA3HL
Lost Div. Semifinals, 0–2 vs. North Iowa Bulls
2012–13 48 19 26 1 2 41 167 226 1210 5th of 6, West
12th of 17, NA3HL
Did not qualify
2013–14 48 22 20 6 50 186 201 1000 4th of 6, West
13th of 21, NA3HL
Lost Div. Semifinals, 0–2 vs. North Iowa Bulls
2014–15 47 23 22 2 48 161 170 1364 4th of 6, West
20th of 31, NA3HL
Lost Div. Semifinals, 0–2 vs. North Iowa Bulls
2015–16 47 30 13 4 64 219 160 660 2nd of 5, West
15th of 34, NA3HL
Won Div. Semifinals, 2–1 vs. Breezy Point North Stars
Won Div. Finals, 2–0 vs. Granite City Lumberjacks
1–2–0 in Silver Cup Round Robin
(L, 3–4 vs. Jr. Blues; L, 1–2 vs. Jets; W, 5–2 vs. Jr. Brahmas)
Lost Semifinal game, 3–4 OT vs. North Iowa Bulls
New Ulm Steel
2016–17 47 26 18 0 3 55 183 163 765 3rd of 5, West
19th of 48, NA3HL
Won Div. Semifinals, 2–1 vs. Alexandria Blizzard
Lost Div. Finals, 1–2 vs. Granite City Lumberjacks
2017–18 47 30 11 4 2 66 204 133 469 2nd of 5, West
13th of 42, NA3HL
Won Div. Semifinals, 2–1 vs. Alexandria Blizzard
Lost Div. Finals, 0–2 vs. Granite City Lumberjacks
2018–19 47 25 18 1 3 54 192 178 771 5th of 7, West
20th of 36, NA3HL
Did not qualify
2019–20 47 31 13 2 1 65 195 136 690 3rd of 6, West
11th of 34, NA3HL
Playoffs cancelled
2020–21 40 7 29 4 0 18 86 185 513 5th of 5, West
29th of 31, NA3HL
Did not qualify
2021–22 47 10 36 1 0 21 98 245 737 5th of 6, West
29th of 34, NA3HL
Did not qualify
2022–23 47 15 26 1 5 36 145 205 991 5th of 6, West
26th of 34, NA3HL
Did not qualify
Wisconsin Woodsmen
2023-24 42 22 17 1 2 47 150 118 588 4th of 6, Central
18 of 34, NA3HL
Lost Div Semifinal 0-2 (Wausau Cyclones)

References

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  1. ^ "VAILLANCOURT NAMED TO LEAD WOODSMEN". woodsmenhockey.com. May 23, 2023.
  2. ^ "Twin City Steel announce ownership change".
  3. ^ "New Ulm Steel have a new owner". The Journal. March 9, 2021.
  4. ^ "NA3HL announces new team in Tomah, Wisconsin". NA3HL. April 10, 2023.
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