10/22/2026
For immediate release
Cloquet, MN
Usually by this point in an NAHL season, the Minnesota Wilderness would have played
4-6 home games.
But not this year. Northwoods Credit Union Arena in Cloquet did not have any ice
installed when the team began training camp in August. So, the Wilderness held its
training camp and first two weeks of practices at Wessman Arena in Superior, WI. Since
then, the Cloquet arena has completed a $4.3 million overhaul that includes a new ice
plant along with new boards and glass.
Upon returning from its first trip to Alaska earlier this month, the Wilderness began to
practice on the new ice sheet in Cloquet. Its first two games in the building will be this
Friday and Saturday (Oct. 23-24). Other than the COVID-disrupted season of 2020-21,
this will mark the latest date in Wilderness club history where it will play a regular
season home-opener.
Minnesota will entertain the Springfield Jr. Blues, who, coincidentally, were the last team
the Wilderness played in Cloquet last season. The Wilderness won that game, 6-1, on
March 28.
The Wilderness then went on to complete its regular season with four consecutive road
contests, and then began a playoff run where it hosted its home games at Proctor’s St.
Luke’s Sports and Events Center.
When the Jr. Blues arrive Friday night, they will still be seeking their first win of the
2026-27 season. Through 13 games, Springfield has a record of 0-12-1. Last weekend,
the Jr. Blues hosted the Minnesota Mallards in a 2-game series and earned their first
point of the season when they fell in a shootout on Friday, 5-4. The Mallards then
completed the series sweep Saturday with a 5-2 win.
The Wilderness enters its home schedule with a 7-5 mark. In its last outing, Minnesota
fell, 5-3, to Janesville on Oct. 17, after beating the Jets, 6-1, in the series opener the
night before.
The Wilderness and Jr. Blues met eight times during the 2025-26 campaign with
Minnesota winning seven.
Both games this weekend have opening face-off scheduled for 7:15 p.m. CDT.
Birthday: Davis Damrow (F) Oct. 24 (19)
Media: Watch all games on NAHLTV.com.
