Aberdeen Wings

The Aberdeen Wings are a Tier II junior ice hockey team based out of Aberdeen, South Dakota that began play for 2010–11. A member of the North American Hockey League in the Central Division, the Wings play their home games in the Odde Ice Center.

Aberdeen Wings
CityAberdeen, South Dakota
LeagueNAHL
DivisionCentral
Founded2010
Home arenaOdde Ice Center
ColorsRed, black, and white
     
Owner(s)Greg Odde
General managerScott Langer[1]
Head coachScott Langer
Franchise history
2010–presentAberdeen Wings
Championships
Playoff championships1 (2018–19)

History

Since the team's inaugural season in 2010–11, the Wings have held the highest attendance numbers in their NAHL division, boasting crowds over 1,700. In their first four seasons, the Aberdeen Wings have made the NAHL playoffs twice. The goal of any junior hockey team is to help develop players for the next level. In four seasons, the Wings have had 22 players Division-I college commitments, three players sign professional contracts overseas, and two players drafted in the NHL. During the 2014 NHL Draft, two Aberdeen Wings players were selected. Both taken in the 4th round, goaltender Zach Nagelvoort was drafted by the Edmonton Oilers and defenseman Steven Johnson was selected by the Los Angeles Kings. Wings forward Lennart Palausch signed a professional contract during the 2014 off-season with Heilbronner Falken of the DEL2 in Germany. In the 2013–14 season, the Aberdeen Wings had two players selected to play in the 2014 World Junior Championships for their home countries, including forward Lennart Palausch (Germany) and forward Bjorn Sigurdarson (Iceland).

The 2014–15 was the first season under head coach Francis Anzalone. A native of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, Anzalone served as the associate head coach and director of player personnel during the previous season under Wings head coach Travis Winter. During the 2014 off-season, Winter accepted the assistant coach position at his alma mater, Bemidji State University, where he led the Beavers hockey team as captain to the Frozen Four in 2009. Anzalone came from a hockey family that includes his father, Frank Anzalone who was a national championship college hockey coach, minor league head coach, and scout for the Calgary Flames. Anzalone was fired as head coach at the end of the 2015–16 season after two losing seasons and missing the playoffs.[2]

Two days after releasing Anzalone, the Wings announced it had hired long time NAHL coach Scott Langer as head coach. Langer had coached the previous 12 seasons with the Santa Fe/Topeka RoadRunners organization before being released during the 2015–16 season.[3]

Season-by-season records
SeasonGPWLOTLPTSGFGAPIMFinishPlayoffs
2010–115820344441662198296th, CentralDid not qualify
2011–126029247651871777384th, CentralLost Div. Semifinals, 1–3 vs. Bismarck Bobcats
2012–136023307531572248495th, CentralDid not qualify
2013–146038184801831406912nd, Central
6th of 24, NAHL		Lost Div. Semifinals, 0–3 vs. Bismarck Bobcats
2014–156027312561421657884th, Central
18th of 24, NAHL		Lost Round 1 series, 0–3 vs. Austin Bruins
2015–1660222711551311718796th, Central
19th of 22, NAHL		Did not qualify
2016–1760292476518418511194th, Central
14th of 24, NAHL		Won Div. Semifinals, 3–1 vs. Minot Minotauros
Won Div. Finals, 3–2 vs. Minnesota Wilderness
Lost Robertson Cup Semifinals, 1–2 vs. Aston Rebels
2017–186039165831941409311st, Central
6th of 23, NAHL		Lost Div. Semifinals, 2–3 vs. Minot Minotauros
2018–1960471039725512410611st, Central
3rd of 24, NAHL		Won Div. Semifinals, 3–1 vs. Austin Bruins
Won Div. Finals, 3–1 vs. Minot Minotauros
Won Robertson Cup Semifinals, 2–1 vs. Amarillo Bulls
Won Robertson Cup Championship game, 2–1 vs. Fairbanks Ice Dogs
2019–205134116741871226351st, Central
5th of 26, NAHL		Season cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic

References
  1. "Langer Named Wings GM!". Aberdeen Wings. January 29, 2019.
  2. "Wings Begin Search for New Head Coach". OurSports Central. April 11, 2016.
  3. "Scott Langer Named Head Coach". Aberdeen Wings. April 13, 2016.
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