Missoula Maulers
Missoula Maulers | |
---|---|
City | Missoula, Montana |
League | Western States Hockey League |
Founded | 2007 |
Home arena | Glacier Ice Rink |
Colors |
Dark Blue, Black, White, and Gray |
Owner(s) | Michael Burks |
General manager | Marcus Baxter |
Head coach | Marcus Baxter |
Franchise history | |
2007–2016 | Missoula Maulers |
The Missoula Maulers were a junior ice hockey team from Missoula, Montana. The team played in the Western States Hockey League,[1] the American West Hockey League, and the Northern Pacific Hockey League, out of Missoula's Glacier Ice Rink.[2]
Michael Burks is the club's principal owner and president of operations. In 2016, Burks and the operators of the Glacier Ice Rink had a lease dispute and Burks decided to shut down the team rather than continue to fight the operators for a better contract.[3] The Maulers were quickly replaced at the Glacier Ice Rink by a North American 3 Hockey League expansion team, named the Missoula Bruins, to be run by the local Bruins youth hockey organization.[4]
History
The Maulers were founded as an expansion team for the 2007–08 season in the Northern Pacific Hockey League (NorPac).[5] They played in the NorPac until 2011 when many of the eastern NorPac teams formed the new American West Hockey League (AWHL) including the Maulers.[6][7] After two seasons, the Maulers announced that were leaving the AWHL for the Amateur Athletic Union-sanctioned Western States Hockey League(WSHL).[1]
The players, ages 16–20, carried amateur status under Tier III/Tier II/Junior A guidelines with hopes to earn a spot on a collegiate or minor professional team.
Former leagues
- 2007–2011: Northern Pacific Hockey League
- 2011–2013: American West Hockey League
- 2013–2016: Western States Hockey League
Season-by-season records
Season | GP | W | L | OTL | PTS | GF | GA | PIM | Finish | Playoffs |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2013–14 | 46 | 20 | 22 | 4 | 44 | 152 | 151 | 981 | 4th of 6, Northwest 16th of 24, WSHL | Lost Div. Semifinals, 1-2 vs. Idaho Jr. Steelheads |
2014–15 | 46 | 36 | 9 | 1 | 73 | 249 | 113 | 802 | 2nd of 7, Northwest 4th of 28, WSHL | Div. Quarterfinals, Bye Won Div. Semifinals, 2-1 vs. Southern Oregon Spartans Lost Div. Finals, 1-2 vs. Idaho Jr. Steelheads |
2015–16 | 52 | 38 | 12 | 2 | 78 | 257 | 143 | 715 | 2nd of 8, Northwest 7th of 29, WSHL | Div. Quarterfinals, Bye Won Div. Semifinals, 2-0 vs. Southern Oregon Spartans Lost Div. Finals, 0-2 vs. Idaho Jr. Steelheads |
References
- 1 2 "Maulers change to Western States Hockey League". kpax.com. April 12, 2013. Retrieved April 18, 2013.
- ↑ Goal oriented: Michigan native has unique dedication, rituals as Missoula Maulers' goalie
- ↑ "Maulers owner explains decision to disband local hockey team". The Missoulian. May 14, 2016.
- ↑ "New Missoula junior hockey team approved". The Montana Standard. May 21, 2016.
- ↑ http://www.missoulamaulers.com/news/
- ↑ "Maulers, 3 other teams leaving NorPac". Missoulian. June 2, 2011. Retrieved April 18, 2013.
- ↑ Staff (June 14, 2011). "American West Hockey League Accepted As Newest Addition To USA Hockey Juniors". NBC Montana. Retrieved June 22, 2011.