St. Cloud Norsemen Explained

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Team:St. Cloud Norsemen
City:St. Cloud, Minnesota
League:North American Hockey League
Division:Central
Founded:2003
Arena:St. Cloud Municipal Athletic Complex
Colors:Black, blue, gray, and white
Owner:Chris and Mitri Canavati
Gm:Corey Millen
Coach:Corey Millen[1]
Name1:Minnesota Blizzard
Dates1:2003–2006
Name2:Alexandria Blizzard
Dates2:2006–2012
Name3:Brookings Blizzard
Dates3:2012–2019
Name4:St. Cloud Blizzard
Dates4:2019–2020
Name5:St. Cloud Norsemen
Dates5:2020–present

The St. Cloud Norsemen is a Tier II junior ice hockey team in the North American Hockey League's (NAHL) Central Division. The Norsemen play out of the St. Cloud Municipal Athletic Complex in St. Cloud, Minnesota. The team consists of players ranging in age from 16–20 years old who relocate from anywhere in the United States, with a limited number of international players. The team plays a 60-game schedule from September to March.

The team began in the 2003–04 season as the Minnesota Blizzard based in Alexandria, Minnesota.[2] In 2006, the team was re-branded as the Alexandria Blizzard and played at the Runestone Community Center. From 2012 to 2019, the organization played at the Larson Ice Center in Brookings, South Dakota, as the Brookings Blizzard.[3]

On May 6, 2020, the Blizzard announced their rebrand to Norsemen.[4]

Season-by-season records

Season GP W L OTL PTS GF GA PIM Finish Playoffs
Minnesota Blizzard
2004–05 56 28 24 4 60 159 198 1,360 4th, Central Lost 1st Round, 0–3 vs. Fargo-Moorhead Jets
2005–06 58 24 29 5 53 158 219 1,235 4th, Central Lost 1st Round, 2–3 vs. Southern Minnesota Express
Alexandria Blizzard
2006–07 62 28 29 5 61 165 193 1,325 3rd, Central Lost 1st Round, 2–3 vs. Southern Minnesota Express
2007–08 58 29 25 4 62 222 223 1,517 3rd, Central Won 1st Round, 3–2 vs. Southern Minnesota Express
Won 2nd Round, 3–2 vs. Springfield Jr. Blues
Eliminated (0–3) in Robertson Cup Round Robin
2008–09 58 26 26 6 58 180 201 1,215 4th, Central Lost 1st Round, 1–3 vs. Bismarck Bobcats
2009–10 58 30 22 6 66 180 166 870 3rd, Central Won 1st Round, 3–1 vs. Owatonna Express
Lost 2nd Round, 0–3 vs. Bismarck Bobcats
2010–11 58 33 19 6 72 208 177 923 1st, Central Lost 1st Round, 2–3 vs. Bismarck Bobcats
2011–12 60 40 15 5 85 212 156 815 2nd, Central Lost 1st Round, 1–3 vs. Austin Bruins
Brookings Blizzard
2012–13 60 32 23 5 69 175 179 1204 3rd, Central Lost 1st Round, 0–3 vs. Bismarck Bobcats
2013–14 60 18 34 8 44 132 206 1263 5th, Central Did not qualify
2014–15 60 19 32 9 47 141 206 968 5th, Central Did not qualify
2015–16 60 25 29 6 56 149 200 985 4th, Central Lost Div. Semifinals, 1–3 vs. Bismarck Bobcats
2016–17 60 30 25 5 65 192 193 973 3rd, Central Lost Div. Semifinals, 2–3 vs. Minnesota Wilderness
2017–18 60 23 30 7 53 169 211 778 6th, Central Did not qualify
2018–19 60 11 44 5 27 115 242 878 6th, Central Did not qualify
St. Cloud Blizzard
2019–20 52 10 37 5 25 130 240 770 6th, Central Season cancelled
St. Cloud Norsemen
2020–21 56 22 33 1 45 151 206 917 6th, Central Did not qualify
2021–22 60 41 16 3 85 230 153 818 1st of 6, Central
3rd of 29, NAHL
Won Div. Semifinals, 3–2 vs. Bismarck Bobcats
Won Div. Finals, 3–1 vs. Aberdeen Wings
Lost League Semifinals, 0–2 vs. Anchorage Wolverines
2022–23 60 28 23 9 65 163 184 916 3rd of 6, Central
16th of 29, NAHL
Won Div. Semifinals, 3–0 vs. Aberdeen Wings
Lost Div. Finals, 1–3 vs. Austin Bruins
2023–24 59 25 21 13 63 171 171 1122 5th of 6 Central, 21 of 32 NAHL Eliminated

College commitments

About one third of the NAHL roster end up committing to an NCAA school.[5] Below are St. Cloud Norsemen players that have made NCAA Division I commitments.[6]

Player School Conference College Commitment
Andrle, Connor 2013–14
Bitz, Michael 2012–13
Brevig, Drew 2012–13
Cavallini, Aidan 2012–13
Connor, Girard 2013–14
DeCenzo, Nick 2013–14
Gameli, Chase 2015–16
Gauthier, Will 2015–16
Graber, Will 2013–14
Hakkarainen, Mikael 2017–18
Jeszka, Griff 2016–17
Marooney, Cody 2012–13
Parker, Brandon 2013–14
Samec, T.J. 2016–17
Youso, Matt 2013–14

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Millen and Chorske take over reigns in St. Cloud . NAHL . April 2, 2020.
  2. Web site: Minnesota Blizzard Statistics and History . HockeyDB . June 3, 2015.
  3. Web site: NAHL announces relocation of Brookings Blizzard to St. Cloud, Minnesota . NAHL . Jun 3, 2019.
  4. Web site: Blizzard rebrand as St. Cloud Norsemen . NAHL . May 6, 2020.
  5. Web site: Numbers don't lie: NAHL one of the best for NCAA commitments. 13 June 2013. NAHL. 2014-09-24.
  6. Web site: College Commitments List: 2015-2015 Season. NAHL. 2016-01-15.