Opening Day Brings Familiar Opponent

Sep 11, 2025

Five months after the Minnesota Wilderness and Springfield Jr. Blues closed out the 2024-25 regular season with a series in Cloquet, the two squads meet again to open their 2025-26 NAHL schedules.

The season-opener is set for Friday (Sept. 12) at Northwoods Credit Union Arena in Cloquet at 7:15 p.m. The teams will meet again Saturday (Sept. 13) at the same time.

Minnesota finished last season in 5th place in the Midwest Division with a 30-25-4 record, while Springfield landed in 6th place with a 27-27-5 mark. Both teams failed to qualify for the Robertson Cup playoffs.

Springfield won the 8-game season series in 24-25 vs. the Wilderness with a 4-3-1 record, although it was the Wilderness that came out on top in the final series. Minnesota swept the Jr. Blues on April 12-13 by scores of 5-2 and 3-1.

Both teams bring back a significant pool of returning players. Minnesota has 12 players from 2024-25 on this season’s roster, while 10 are coming back for Springfield.

Media: Both games will be televised on NAHLtv.com.

Other Midwest Division action:

  • Kenai River Brown Bears at Chippewa Steel (Friday & Saturday)
  • Janesville Jets at Wisconsin Windigo (Friday & Saturday)
  • Idle teams: Anchorage Wolverines and Fairbanks Ice Dogs