Thank you from the Wilderness....

The Wilderness organization is very proud of all of our accomplishments this season. Our team worked hard all season long and achieved many of our goals, including repeating as the SIJHL Champions. But we could not have done this without all of the people that helped out along the way.

I would like to thank all of the volunteers that helped on game days.   In junior hockey, volunteers are vital to the team's success and we appreciate each and every one of you - whether you help at every game or once a season. We could not have done it without all of you.

Our billet families have done an outstanding job housing our players this season. You have all made our players feel comfortable and have given them "a home away from home". The relationships that come along with housing a player last a lifetime and it is great for them to know that they will always have a place to come home to in Spooner. Thank you so much for opening up your homes to our players.

Thank you to our fans and the community. We have come along way from our first game last year when the team was established and could not have done it without all of you. Thank you so much for coming out to our games, being loud, and cheering us on. Thank you also for accepting our team and players into the community and making them feel at home.

We are already looking forward to next season and will be working hard to put together another championship team. Thank you again for all of your support throughout this season.

Rod Aldoff
General Manager/Head Coach

2011-2012 SIJHL CHAMPIONS!!!!

Wilderness Advance to Dudley-Hewitt Cup

As the SIJHL champion, the Wilderness earn a spot at the Dudley-Hewitt Cup Championship Tournament that will be held April 17-21 in Thunder Bay, Ontario.  The Dudley Hewitt Cup is awarded annually to the champions of the Central Canada Division of Junior A hockey.  The tournament is comprised of the winners of the Superior International Junior Hockey League (SIJHL), the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League (NOJHL), and the Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL), together with the host team. The winner of the “Dudley” goes on to compete in the Royal Bank Cup (the National Junior A Championship), which will be held May 5-13 in Humbolt, Saskatchewan.

The Wilderness will begin play against the Soo Thunderbirds (NOJHL) at 1:00 on Tuesday, April 17.

Jeremy Johnson Named SIJHL Playoff MVP

April 12, 2012

Wilderness forward Jeremy Johnson was named Most Valuable Player for the 2012 SIJHL Bill Salonen Cup Playoffs.    In 15 playoff games, Johnson scored seven goals and had seven assists for 14 points.   He contributed four goals and two assists during the final round of the playoffs against Fort Frances.  Congratulations Jeremy!

Aldoff Named SIJHL Coach of the Year

February 23, 2012

Wilderness head coach and general manager, Rod Aldoff, has been recognized as the SIJHL Coach of the Year for the 2011-2012 season. Rod has led the WIlderness to its second consecutive regular season championship, with a current record of 47-6-1 and are ranked fourth in the Canadian Junior Hockey League Top 20 Rankings.  In his two years in this position, his teams have an all-time SIJHL regular season record of 92-12-6.

In 2010-11, Aldoff guided Wisconsin to a first place finish in the regular season and then the Bill Salonen Cup playoff championship.  His team also earned a berth in the 2011 Dudley-Hewitt Cup.  Rod was also named the recipient of the Gary Cook Memorial Award, which is presented annually to the SIJHL’s executive of the year.

Congratulations Coach!

Milliron Named SIJHL Top Goaltender

February 23, 2012

Wilderness goalie, Tanner Milliron, is the recipent of the SIJHL Top Goaltender award for the 2011-2012 season.  In 33 games with the Wilderness this season, Tanner leads the SIJHL goaltenders in several categories, including wins (28), goals-against average (1.55), save percentage (.937), and shutouts (7).  His goals-against average, save percentage, and number of shutouts not only lead the SIJHL, but also the entire 133 team Canadian Junior Hockey League.

Congratulations Tanner on this accomplishment!

Calabrese Named SIJHL Top Defenseman

February 18, 2012

Wilderness defenseman Anthony Calabrese has been voted the Superior International Hockey League's Top Defenseman Award recipient for the 2011-2012 season.  In his first year with the Wilderness, Anthony leads all SIJHL defenseman in scoring with 57 points on 14 goals and 43 assists.  His offensive numbers currently rank him 11th on the SIJHL scoring leader board.  Anthony is also second in the league for power play points with 24.

Congratulations Anthony on this accomplishment! 

     GO WILDERNESS!