Missoula Maulers Explained

Missoula Maulers should not be confused with Missoula Mauler.

The Missoula Maulers were a junior ice hockey team from Missoula, Montana. The team played in the Northern Pacific Hockey League, the American West Hockey League, and the Western States Hockey League,^[1] out of Missoula's Glacier Ice Rink.^[2]

Michael Burks is the club's principal owner and president of operations. In 2016, Burks and the nonprofit Missoula Area Youth Association (MAYHA), the operator of Glacier Ice Rink, had a lease dispute and Burks decided to shut down the team rather than continue to fight the operators for a better contract.^[3] The Maulers were quickly replaced at the Glacier Ice Rink by a North American 3 Hockey League expansion team, named the Missoula Jr. Bruins, owned by Jason and Liz DiMatteo.^[4]

History

The Maulers were founded as an expansion team for the 2007–08 season in the Northern Pacific Hockey League (NorPac).^[5] They played in the NorPac until 2011 when many of the eastern NorPac teams formed the new American West Hockey League (AWHL) including the Maulers.^[6] ^[7] After two seasons, the Maulers announced that were leaving the AWHL for the Amateur Athletic Union-sanctioned Western States Hockey League(WSHL).

The players, ages 16–20, carried amateur status under Tier III/Tier II/Junior A guidelines with hopes to earn a spot on a collegiate or minor professional team.

Former leagues

2007–2011: Northern Pacific Hockey League
2011–2013: American West Hockey League
2013–2016: Western States Hockey League

Season-by-season records

Season	GP	W	L	OTL	PTS	GF	GA	PIM	Finish	Playoffs
2013–14	46	20	22	4	44	152	151	981	4th of 6, Northwest 16th of 24, WSHL	Lost Div. Semifinals, 1-2 vs. Idaho Jr. Steelheads
2014–15	46	36	9	1	73	249	113	802	2nd of 7, Northwest 4th of 28, WSHL	Div. Quarterfinals, Bye Won Div. Semifinals, 2-1 vs. Southern Oregon Spartans Lost Div. Finals, 1-2 vs. Idaho Jr. Steelheads
2015–16	52	38	12	2	78	257	143	715	2nd of 8, Northwest 7th of 29, WSHL	Div. Quarterfinals, Bye Won Div. Semifinals, 2-0 vs. Southern Oregon Spartans Lost Div. Finals, 0-2 vs. Idaho Jr. Steelheads

References

External links

Official website

Notes and References

News: Maulers change to Western States Hockey League. April 12, 2013. April 18, 2013. kpax.com. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20130509095405/http://www.kpax.com/news/maulers-change-to-western-states-hockey-league/#_. May 9, 2013.
http://www.missoulian.com/articles/2007/12/09/territory/ter82.txt Goal oriented: Michigan native has unique dedication, rituals as Missoula Maulers' goalie
News: Maulers owner explains decision to disband local hockey team . . May 14, 2016.
News: New Missoula junior hockey team approved . . May 21, 2016.
Web site: Missoula Maulers Junior Hockey Team in Missoula, Montana . 2010-06-01 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20100501203943/http://www.missoulamaulers.com/news/ . 2010-05-01 .
News: Maulers, 3 other teams leaving NorPac. June 2, 2011. April 18, 2013. Missoulian.
News: Staff . . American West Hockey League Accepted As Newest Addition To USA Hockey Juniors . June 14, 2011 . June 22, 2011 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20111003060836/http://www.nbcmontana.com/sports/28249053/detail.html . October 3, 2011 .