Last 2 Midwest Division Playoff Champs to Meet in Season-Opener
September 8, 2023 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Minnesota Wilderness News Release
Who: Minnesota Wilderness vs. Anchorage Wolverines
When: Saturday, Sept 9, 7:15 p.m.
Where: St. Luke's Sports and Events Center, Proctor, MN
The lead: The Minnesota Wilderness seeks a strong start to the 2023-24 regular season as it hosts Anchorage in game 1.
Media: All of the action can be seen on nahltv.com.
2022-23 Records: Anchorage: 28-24-8, 64 points 5th place, Midwest Division; Minnesota: 35-18-7, 77 points, 2nd place, Midwest Division
2023 Playoffs: Anchorage: Did not qualify; Minnesota: Won Midwest Division and advanced to Robertson Cup semi-finals where it lost to Oklahoma 2-games-to-0.
Rivalry: Since Anchorage joined the NAHL in 2021, it has had 12 regular season meetings with the Wilderness. Minnesota has the advantage with a 9-3 record, including winning all six games in 2022-23. Anchorage has the upper hand in four playoff meetings between the two squads, as the Wolverines beat the Wilderness 3-games-to-1 in the 2022 Midwest Division finals.
Cesario Reunites with Old Mates: Forward Joe Cesario gets a chance to take to the ice against the team that he finished the 2022-23 season with. Cesario was traded to Anchorage at the 2022 trade deadline and played 14 games with the Wolverines, compiling 5 goals and 2 assists for 7 points. The native of Denver, CO, returned to the Wilderness during the off-season. Others returning from last season are Nick Erickson (G), Adam Johnson (F), Gustavs Ozolins (D), Evan Pahos (F), Eddie Shepler (F), and Oliver Stümpel (F).
2 Locals Make Debut: The Wilderness will have two northern Minnesota players on its opening day roster. Joe Stauber hails from Duluth and spent last season with North Star Christian Academy's AAA program. The 18-year-old defenseman also spent part of his high school career with Duluth Marshall. He is one of eight rookies on the squad that also include Brandt Dubey (D), Riley Mullen (D), Colten Nestler (F), Tommy O'Donnell (G), Charlie Sandven (D), Harper Searles (F) and Evan Williams (F).
Nick Troutwine is a 20-year-old defenseman from Eveleth. The 34-game veteran spent 2022-23 with El Paso. Prior to playing junior hockey, Troutwine played high school hockey at Eveleth-Gilbert and Rock Ridge and had a AAA career that included the Minnesota Wilderness 18U program.
Experienced newcomers: Troutwine is among 11 players who are new to the Wilderness roster that have previous junior hockey experience with other teams.
Name Position Birth year Years in Jr. Hockey Previous team(s)
Oliver Band F 2003 3 Philadelphia (NAHL), Notre Dame (SJHL), Boston (NCDC)
Nolan Bettens D 2003 2 Winnipeg and Steinbach (MJHL)
Sam Blanton F 2004 1 El Paso and Bismarck (NAHL)
Patrik Bruna D 2004 1 South Shore (NCDC)
Alexios Georgaklis F 2005 1 Wenatchee (BCHL)
Logan Nagle F 2005 1 Wenatchee (BCHL)
Peteris Purmalis F 2003 4 Zemgale (LAT), Sioux City (USHL), Corpus Christi (NAHL)
Luca Ricciardi F 2005 1 Nepean (CCHL), Kam River (SIJHL)
Alex Senf F 2003 1 Dauphin (MJHL)
Nick Troutwine D 2003 1 El Paso and Janesville (NAHL)
Loris Uberti G 2004 3 Lausanne U20 and Valais-Chablais U20 (SUI)
Opening Day History: When the Wilderness hit the ice on Saturday, it will be seeking its first opening day victory since 2014. Minnesota defeated the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees at the NAHL Showcase in Blaine, MN by a score of 6-0 in that opener. Tyler Cline led the way offensively with what was the franchise's first recorded hat trick, and Ryan Anderson stood tall in net with a 15-save shutout in his first ever junior hockey start.
Coaches Debut: Minnesota's Colten St. Clair will not be the only coach leading his team from behind the bench for the first time on Saturday. Anchorage's Nick Walters is also making his head coaching debut, after being promoted by the Wolverines from assistant coach last May. Walters is a native of Eagle River, AK, and is in his 2nd season on the Anchorage coaching staff. HIs prior coaching experience includes being video coach for the U.S. Women's national team that won silver medals at the Winter Olympics in 2022 and World Championships in 2021. Walters was also an assistant coach and director of hockey operations at the University of Alaska-Anchorage.
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