SPOONER — Get ready to drop the first puck, area hockey fans. United States Premier Hockey League action returns to the Spooner Civic Center this weekend for the initial home game of the new Northwest Express on Saturday.
The Northwest Express, formerly the Minnesota Moose, are Spooner’s new junior hockey team. Taking their identity from Spooner’s historic railroad past, the Express will play in the heavily competitive Midwest West Division, with home ice at the Spooner Civic Center.
The Civic Center is the largest rink in northwest Wisconsin. In addition to the ice sheet, the rink has a full-size gym, banquet halls, a new bar and restaurant, The Station, operated by Express Ownership, is also connected to the historic railroad theme.
“Spooner Area Youth Hockey Association is excited to welcome the Northwest Express to the Spooner Civic Center for the fall of 2024, said Nikki Perkins of the Spooner Youth Hockey Association. “We look forward to building a relationship between our youth hockey program and the Express to continue to grow hockey in the community of Spooner. We are eager to work together to support the development of all skaters and provide the most positive experience for both the youth and the Junior A hockey team.”
Sitting in the heart of downtown Spooner, the Civic Center is a great location for the Express to fully integrate themselves into the community. The team looks forward to volunteer opportunities like working with the youth program, starting book clubs and more.
Spooner is a town known for its wild lands, hunting, fishing in the lakes and cabin country in the surrounding area. The team will begin their new hockey history in this close-knit town and has already taken part in several community projects, with more to come.
Premier Hockey LeagueFounded in 2012, USPHL is comprised of more than 150 teams, fielding more than 20,000 players aged 8-21 in more than 100 organizations across the North, South, Midwest, West and Canada.
Junior Divisions consist of the National Collegiate Development Conference, a tuition-free, Tier 2 Junior hockey division, and premier and elite divisions, all geared toward college and pro placement. Youth and midget divisions (operated through the Tier 1 Hockey Federation) field full-season 9U through 18U teams. The USPHL has sent more than 8,000 players to all levels of college hockey, including more than 3,300 into NCAA college hockey and more than 200 players into NCAA Division I hockey. The USPHL has also had 17 players who played in the NCDC drafted by NHL teams.
Express staff
The team will have some similar faces leading them in team owner Joe Dibble, General Manager Jon Jonasson and head coach Nic Leibold, who are all are staying with the team in their previous roles.
Coach Leibold talked with the Spooner Advocate about the new start.
“I am excited about this new chapter,” he said. “We are excited to be here and get going in this community. The Moose had a great history in Blaine (Minn.), and I look forward to the success that continues with the Express in Spooner.
“It will be a great experience for the players to come to the community and grow not just as hockey players, but also develop as young men,” said Coach Leibold. “We feel this is an important aspect of junior hockey, as these guys work toward their goal of college hockey. We want to volunteer and help out in this community wherever we can.”
Coach Leibold and the team are currently in their second week together, running a Youth Hockey Camp and bringing the game to a new generation of eager players.
“We are excited about the move of our hockey program to the Spooner community starting in the fall of 2024,” added Dibble. “Spooner has a rich history of Junior A hockey, and we look to add to that with a new look and exciting brand of hockey.
“I was fortunate to spend time in the Spooner community as a player, along with bringing the Moose to Spooner for a short stint during COVID. Spooner is a special place to me, and I am excited to share that same experience with the players of the Northwest Express. The Express will be very involved in the community in many different aspects, from assisting in youth hockey, volunteering at elementary schools and any other way the team can find volunteer opportunities within the City of Spooner,” he said.
“There is much more to come,” said Coach Leibold. “We’ve got a good group of players. They are excited, the coaching staff is excited.”
The Northwest Express will play their first game on Friday, Sept. 20, at the Isanti Outlaws. The following night, Saturday, Sept. 21, the Spooner Civic Center will be rocking as the team makes their home ice debut, hosting Isanti. The first puck of the Northwest Express era in Spooner will drop at 7:05 p.m.
Coach Leibold said that season tickets are now for sale. Anybody looking for tickets can visit the website.
“We are anxious to get started,” concluded Coach Leibold. “We are very excited to be here.”
The Station
Connected with the Civic Center will be The Station Bar & Grill, under new management, replacing the curiously-named former Jersey’s. Every railroad needs a good “station,” another tie-in to Spooner history that already seems like a much better fit than a strange name from out East.
“That name didn’t seem to make a lot of sense,” said Coach Leibold.
The Station has undergone renovations to enhance customer service. It offers tables and booths and has a full-service liquor bar and impressive selection of 20 beer brands on tap. Opening recently, The Station also offers a diverse menu.
The sports bar offers a pool table and various games to ensure the guest is never bored. There are 10 televisions around the bar, including the 100-inch Mega TV located over the fireplace in the seating area — you’ll feel like you have lower-level seats at Lambeau Field!
Visit Facebook and the website for updates and upcoming events.
All aboard! The Northwest Express are about to pour on the coals at the Spooner Civic Center!
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