Minnesota Iron Rangers

The Minnesota Iron Rangers were an American junior ice hockey team based in Hoyt Lakes, Minnesota. Originally named Iron Range Ironheads, the Iron Rangers played in the Canadian-based Superior International Junior Hockey League.

Not to be confused with the Minnesota Iron Rangers that played in the American Hockey Association (1992–93).
Minnesota Iron Rangers
CityHoyt Lakes, Minnesota
LeagueSuperior International Junior Hockey League
Founded2011
Home arenaHoyt Lakes Arena
ColorsBlue, white, and red
              
General managerTodd Kreibich (2017-18)
Head coachTodd Kreibich (2017-18)
Franchise history
2011–2012Iron Range Ironheads
2012–2019Minnesota Iron Rangers

Iron Range Ironheads (2011–2012)

On July 12, 2011, USA Hockey granted the Superior International Junior Hockey League an expansion team in Chisholm, Minnesota, in the Iron Range region of northern Minnesota to begin play in September 2011.[1] The Iron Range Ironheads' coach and general manager was Steve Chelios,[2] brother of former NHL defenseman Chris Chelios. Steve was the franchise's managing partner, along with a group of investors from Vancouver, British Columbia.

With their first game being rescheduled twice, the Ironheads finally stepped on the ice for their inaugural game on October 8, 2011. Their first game was against the Dryden Ice Dogs in Dryden, Ontario. Shamus O'Neill scored the franchise's first goal at 18:51 of the first period, but the Ice Dogs went on to win the game 5–1.

On December 10, 2011, the Ironheads defeated the Fort Frances Lakers 3–2 at Northwoods Arena in Cloquet to win their first SIJHL game.

Iron Rangers (2012–2019)

In June 2012, Steve Chelios[3] was released and the team was renamed the Minnesota Iron Rangers.[4] With the name change came a move to Hoyt Lakes, Minnesota, playing their games at Hoyt Lakes Arena. The Minnesota Iron Rangers name was previously used by a team playing in the American Hockey Association based in Hibbing, Minnesota.[5][6] Chris Walby was hired as the team's head coach and general manager on June 19, 2012.

The team was close to another relocation just one season after moving.[7] Members of the community raised $30,000 to keep the team in Hoyt Lakes. The team then had their best season, falling in game seven of the 2014 Bill Salonen Cup Finals. Several players were honored by the SIJHL, winning post-season awards.

In 2019, after several more seasons of ownership and player recruitment issues,[8] the Iron Rangers ceased operations for the 2019–20 season while the league searched for new owners.[9]

Alumni

Several players have moved on to college ice hockey programs. In June 2015, the Iron Ranges announced that eight members of the previous season would be playing for NCAA college hockey programs in the Fall.[10]

Season-by-season results
SeasonGPWLOTLSOLGFGAPtsResultsPlayoffs
2011–12569452—155432207th of 7Lost Survivor Series, 0–2 (Clydesdales)
2012–135626282—161194545th of 5Won Quarterfinals 2–1 (North Stars)
Lost Semifinals, 0-4 (Wilderness)
2013–145636146—237168783rd of 6Won Quarterfinals, 4–0 (Wilderness)
Won Semifinals, 4–2 (North Stars)
Lost Finals, 3–4 (Lakers)
2014–1556302051246198662nd of 5Lost Semifinals, 2–4 (Ice Dogs)
2015–1656213122178223464th of 5Lost Survivor Series, 2–3 (Miners)
2016–175674630144336176th of 6Did not qualify
2017–185664712144336156th of 6Lost Quarterfinals, 0–3 (North Stars)
2018–1956353009147866th of 6Lost Quarterfinals, 0–3 (Norskies)

References
  1. "SIJHL expanding with Iron Range franchise". Fort Frances Times. July 10, 2011.
  2. "A look at the rest of SIJHL". Fort Frances Times. September 14, 2011.
  3. "SIJHL seeing changes galore". Fort Frances Times. June 13, 2012.
  4. "Around the SIJHL: SIJHL's 12th season begins Friday". SIJHL. September 20, 2012.
  5. "American Hockey Association [1992-1993] history and statistics". www.hockeydb.com. Retrieved December 13, 2017.
  6. "1992–93 American Hockey Association [AHA] standings". www.hockeydb.com. Retrieved December 13, 2017.
  7. "The magic at the end of the road". Hometown Focus. November 1, 2013. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015.
  8. "The Death Pool – The End Is Near In Minnesota". The Junior Hockey News. May 27, 2019.
  9. "MINNESOTA IRON RANGERS TO TAKE ONE YEAR LEAVE OF ABSENCE FROM SIJHL". SIJHL. June 12, 2019.
  10. "Iron Rangers produce 8 NCAA commitments". Mesabi Daily News. June 18, 2015.
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