The Sheridan Hawks will hit the ice for their inaugural year during the upcoming 2019-2020 season. The NA3HL team, formerly known as the Wisconsin Whalers, was previously located near Madison, Wisconsin. The team was acquired near the end of last season by the Sheridan Hawks Junior Hockey Club, Inc. and will play in the Whitney Rink at M&M’s Center. It is now the eighth team in the NA3HL’s Frontier Division, which currently consists of the Bozeman Icedogs, Butte Cobras, Gillette Wild, Great Falls Americans, Helena Bighorns, Missoula Junior Bruins and Yellowstone Quake.
Starting in 2016, after completing the roof over the existing outdoor rink, the hockey community in Sheridan began working to bring junior hockey to town. The Sheridan youth hockey program is one of the strongest programs in the state, and with the beautiful new facility, top-tier youth coaches, a thriving adult hockey program and hundreds of deeply committed donors and families who love the game, launching a junior team was the next step for hockey in Sheridan. With teams from the surrounding communities playing in the Frontier Division, and the excellent reputation and level of competition in the league, it was a natural fit to join the NA3HL.
“Sheridan is a passionate hockey community with a dedicated and growing youth program, so this addition of the Sheridan Hawks junior team could not come at a better time for the area and the NA3HL. The team fits perfectly into the NA3HL’s Frontier Division. I am sure fans will enjoy the level of play on the ice and the rivalries that will be formed within the footprint,” said NA3HL Commissioner and President Mark Frankenfeld.
The goal of the Sheridan Hawks and the North American 3 Hockey League is to provide a competitive atmosphere for players to learn, develop, and grow their skills and talents. The Hawks coaching staff are committed to assisting players in progressing their careers and developing as young men.