NAHL Team in Forest Lake, MN Approved for the 2024-25 Season
April 24, 2024 - North American Hockey League (NAHL) News Release
DALLAS, TEXAS - The North American Hockey League (NAHL) Board of Governors has approved a membership to operate in Forest Lake, MN.
The Minnesota Mallards will compete in the Central Division beginning in the 2024-25 season. The Mallards are the fourth NAHL team based in Minnesota.
"As a successful businessman, I look forward to putting my skills and experience to work as an owner within the North American Hockey League," Bailey said. Aside from business, Bailey has a deep passion for leading and coaching youth sports. Over the last 15 years he has volunteered thousands of hours coaching kids in hockey, baseball and softball. "My family and I are very excited to give back to Twin Cities hockey communities and the Mallards are just the first step in our collective vision."
Forest Lake, which is a northeast suburb of Minneapolis-St. Paul, will be the home of the Mallards. The team will play out of the Forest Lake Sports Center. The Mallards will bear the colors Maroon and Gold.
The teams' General Manager, A.J. Bucchino, is a strong leader and coach with a successful track record training and leading hockey players and teams from youth to Juniors. Bucchino spent more than four years in the NAHL and was the former GM and Head Coach of the Minnesota Magicians. "We are excited to bring a team to Forest Lake, MN and the twin cities area," Bucchino said. "Our location will provide consistent exposure within the twin cities area for motivated hockey players striving to play collegiate and professional hockey. Our focus will be on our player's physical, psychological, and emotional development to help them reach their goals. Together, we will hold ourselves to the highest standards in our quest to build a highly successful and competitive program."
"The league continues to attract quality and capable ownership that always puts the development of the player first," NAHL Commissioner and President Mark Frankenfeldsaid. "The team location by itself will put the Mallards and every visiting team's players right in the cross-hairs of college and professional scouts. It's a tremendous opportunity for everyone involved and we look forward to watching them get to work."
The Mallards can be contacted at aj@minnesotamallards.com.
The Mallards will be the eighth team in the NAHL's Central Division. The Central currently has seven teams including the: Aberdeen Wings (Aberdeen, SD), Austin Bruins (Austin, MN), Bismarck Bobcats (Bismarck, ND), Minot Minotauros (Minot, ND), North Iowa Bulls (Mason City, IA), St. Cloud Norsemen (St. Cloud, MN) and Watertown Shamrocks (Coming 2024-25, Watertown, SD).
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