The Willmar WarHawks are a Tier III junior ice hockey team playing in the North American 3 Hockey League (NA3HL). The team plays their home games at the Willmar Civic Center located in Willmar, Minnesota.
NA3HL teams play a 47-game regular season schedule, and additional post-season games (if qualifying for playoffs). The Warhawks compete in the West Division of the NA3HL along with the Alexandria Blizzard, Granite City Lumberjacks, Mason City Toros, Minnesota Loons, and Rochester Grizzlies.[2]
Established as the Minnesota Flying Aces, the franchise's first season was in 2007–08 as members of the Minnesota Junior Hockey League (MnJHL). The Flying Aces were based out Little Falls, Minnesota, and played their home games at Exchange Arena.
Following the 2010–11 season, the franchise moved to the North American 3 Hockey League along with in-state rival, the Granite City Lumberjacks.
On May 24, 2016, Flying Aces owners John and Debbie Holthaus sold the franchise to Blizzard Hockey, LLC. Blizzard Hockey also owns the North American Hockey League's St. Cloud Norsemen and the NA3HL's Alexandria Blizzard. The new owners then relocated the franchise to Willmar, Minnesota. It was at this time the team was renamed the Willmar WarHawks.[3][4]
Regular season records, as of completion of 2023–24 season
† Chris Blasius stepped was the head coach for the 2016-17 season, and for the first portion of 2017-18 through 11/17/17.
†† Mike Bowman was hired as fulltime head coach on 12/24/17 to replace interim head coach Steve Yurichuk .
††† Connor White was hired as head coach for 2022-23 season. Kyle Christensen took over as head coach for a portion of the 2022-23 season, before being replaced by Connor White for the remainder of the season. Transition dates have not been able to be verified so both coaches are co-listed for the 2022-23 season.
The Willmar Warhawks statistical leaders consider all historical statistics commencing with the franchise's move to Willmar, MN, prior to the 2016-17 NA3HL season (2016-present).
Brandan Holt (Madison Heights, MI) set the Willmar Warhawks career points record during the 2019-20 season with 114 career points.
Tyler Misialek (West Fargo, ND) set the Willmar Warhawks career goals record during the 2023-24 season with 59 career goals.
Kyle Wendorf (Richfield, MN) set the Willmar Warhawks NA3HL single season points record during the 2016-17 regular season, the franchise's first season in Willmar, with 56 points.
Tyler Misialek (West Fargo, ND) set the Willmar Warhawks NA3HL single season goals record during the 2023-24 regular season, with 28 goals.
The franchise statistical leaders consider all historical statistics commencing with the franchise's inaugural NA3HL season (2011–12), including all NA3HL seasons for the Minnesota Flying Aces (2011-2016) & Willmar Warhawks (2016–present).
Brandan Holt (Madison Heights, MI) set the franchise NA3HL career points record during the 2019-20 season with 114 career points.
Tyler Misialek (West Fargo, ND) set the franchise NA3HL career goals record during the 2023-24 season with 59 career goals.
Parker Tomczyk (Mosinee, WI) set the franchise NA3HL single season points record during the franchise's inaugural NA3HL season (2011–12) with 59 points during the regular season.
Parker Tomczyk (Mosinee, WI) set the franchise NA3HL single season goal record during the franchise's inaugural NA3HL season (2011–12) with 29 goals during the regular season.