With all repairs completed and the cooling tower in proper working condition, Northwoods Credit Union Arena in Cloquet is again ready to host Minnesota Wilderness hockey.
The Wilderness returned to its friendly confines Monday and is practicing at its home barn before it departs on a road trip Wednesday. It was the team’s first time skating in Cloquet since last season, before a cooling tower leak shut down its ability to make ice. After shipping delays kept replacement parts from arriving before the 2023-24 season began, the Wilderness were forced to find a new home for the season’s first practices, one pre-season game, and three September regular season home games. That led the team to make the St. Luke’s Sports and Event Center in Proctor to serve as a temporary home through September.
Wilderness general manager David Boitz said the team will play its first game at the Cloquet facility on October 20, vs. the Chippewa Steel.
“We are really excited to be back in our home rink and play in front of our home fans,” said Boitz.
Boitz also expressed his appreciation for the warm welcome the team received in Proctor: “We would like to thank Proctor for its terrific hospitality.”
This is the 12th season the Wilderness has called Cloquet its home. The team began its tenure at Northwoods Credit Union Arena in 2012-13 when it was part of the Superior International Junior Hockey League. The following year, Minnesota joined the North American Hockey League, where it still plays today.
The Wilderness will be in Alaska for its next four games before it plays at its true home. The road trip’s first two games will be Oct. 6 and 7 at Fairbanks.