New Mexico Ice Wolves

Ice hockey team in Albuquerque, New Mexico
     Owner(s)Desert Ice Investment, LLCHead coachPhil Fox[2]Franchise historyNAHL franchise2019–presentNew Mexico Ice WolvesNA3HL franchise1998–2014Flint Jr. Generals2014–2018La Crosse Freeze2018–2020Coulee Region Chill2020–2021Oklahoma City Jr. Blazers2021–2022Oklahoma City Ice Hawks2022–presentNew Mexico Ice Wolves

The New Mexico Ice Wolves are a Tier II junior ice hockey team in the North American Hockey League's South Division. The Wolves play their home games in the Outpost Ice Arenas in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

History

On February 28, 2019, the NAHL board of governors announced that they had approved the membership application for a team in New Mexico owned by Desert Ice Investment, LLC and that the team would start play in the 2019–20 season as a member of the South Division.[3] Their inaugural season was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but the team had already been eliminated from playoff contention with 31 points in 52 games played. The team still won several postseason accolades such as Southern Division Organization of the Year and the NAHL's overall Organization of the Year.[4][5] The following season, the team was forced to play home games in Texas due to the pandemic restrictions in New Mexico.[6]

In 2022, the Ice Wolves added a Tier III junior team of the same name in the North American 3 Hockey League (NA3HL).[7]

Season-by-season records

NAHL

Season GP W L OTL SOL Pts GF GA Finish Playoffs
2019–20 52 13 34 2 3 31 105 190 6th of 7, South
24th of 26, NAHL		 Season cancelled
2020–21 56 21 30 3 2 47 147 184 5th of 6, South
19th of 23, NAHL		 Did not qualify
2021–22 60 38 16 2 3 81 193 145 2nd of 8, South
4th of 29, NAHL		 Won Div. Semifinals, 3–2 vs. Wichita Falls Warriors
Won Div. Finals, 3–2 vs. Lone Star Brahmas
Lost League Semifinals, 1–2 vs. New Jersey Titans
2022–23 60 33 23 3 1 70 195 170 5th of 8, South
10th of 29, NAHL		 Did not qualify
2023-24 60 32 19 6 3 73 195 179 4th of 8, South
13th of 32, NAHL		 Won Div. Play-In,2-0 vs. Amarillo Wranglers
lost Div. Semi-Finals, 1-3 vs. Lone Star Brahmas

NA3HL

Season GP W L OTL SOL Pts GF GA Finish Playoffs
2022–23 47 27 18 2 0 56 197 122 4th of 8, South
15 of 34, NA3HL		 Won Div. Semifinals, 2–1 vs. Texas RoadRunners
Lost Div. Finals, 0–2 vs. Texas Jr. Brahmas
2023–24 47 38 7 2 0 78 206 70 1st of 8, South
4th of 34, NA3HL		 Won Div. Semifinals, 2–0 vs. Texas Jr. Brahmas
Lost Div. Finals 1-2 Louisiana Drillers

References

  1. ^ "Ice Wolves unveil new logo". NAHL. April 22, 2019. Retrieved August 6, 2019.
  2. ^ "New Mexico names Phil Fox as first head coach". NAHL. March 4, 2019. Retrieved August 6, 2019.
  3. ^ "NAHL team in New Mexico approved for the 2019–20 season". NAHL. February 28, 2019. Retrieved August 6, 2019.
  4. ^ "Ice Wolves are excited about post season accolades and the future". KRQE. April 5, 2020.
  5. ^ "NAHL announces 2019–20 season awards". NAHL. April 2, 2020.
  6. ^ "Ice Wolves adapt to playing away from home". OA Online. March 29, 2021.
  7. ^ "NA3HL announces new team in Albuquerque, New Mexico". NA3HL. March 4, 2022.

External links

  • New Mexico Ice Wolves website
  • NAHL website
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Central Division
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  • Austin Bruins
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