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North Iowa Bulls Mason City Toros | |
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City | Mason City, Iowa |
League | North American Hockey League North American 3 Hockey League |
Division | Central |
Founded | 2011 (NA3HL franchise) 2008 (NAHL franchise) |
Home arena | Mason City Multipurpose Arena |
Colors | Green, "blue," white |
Owner(s) | Alberto Fernandez, F&S Management |
General manager | Todd Sanden |
Head coach | Todd Sanden (NAHL) Nick Bruneteau (NA3HL) |
Website | www |
Franchise history | |
NA3HL franchise | |
2011β2021 | North Iowa Bulls |
2021βpresent | Mason City Toros |
NAHL franchise | |
2008β2010 | Albert Lea Thunder |
2010β2021 | Amarillo Bulls |
2021βpresent | North Iowa Bulls |
The North Iowa Bulls are a Tier II junior ice hockey team in the North American Hockey League (NAHL). They play their home games at the Mason City Multipurpose Arena in Mason City, Iowa. The organization also operates a Tier III junior team in the North American 3 Hockey League (NA3HL) that was known as the North Iowa Bulls from 2011 to 2021 before relocating the Tier II Amarillo Bulls' franchise to Mason City. And rebranding the Tier III team as the Mason City Toros. The Bulls are coached by Todd Sanden, who has been with the "North Iowa team since its inception in 2011."
Historyβ»
Tier III: 2011βpresentβ»
The Bulls began playing in 2011, losing their first game to the Chicago Hitmen 3β1 before earning their first win on October 2, 2011, with a 5β4 win over the Peoria Mustangs. After losing seven of their first eight, the team finished 29β15β0β4 and "second place in the West Division." The Bulls won their first round series over the Twin City Steel two-games-to-none, but lost their division final series to the Granite City Lumberjacks two-games-to-one. The teams traded overtime victories in the first two games before the Lumberjacks took the final game by a score of 3β2.
The Bulls won their first division championship the following year finishing 41β4β1β2. They swept the Minnesota Flying Aces in three games in the first round before advancing through round-robin play at the Silver Cup tournament to beat Granite City 3β2 in overtime. An 11β0 win over the Peoria Mustangs gave the team its first league championship. The Bulls then advanced to the USA Hockey Tier III Junior National Championships in Rochester, Minnesota, sweeping all three games in pool play. The Bulls defeated the Helena Bighorns in double-overtime in the semifinal and won their first Tier III Junior National Championship with a 6β2 win over the Twin Cities Northern Lights.
In the 2013β14 season, North Iowa set an NA3HL record with 90 points, finishing with a 45β3 record and their second straight West Division title. The team's top line of Matt Kroska, Rihards Marenis. And Timothy Santopoalo combined for 353 points, with Kroska's 122 points and Marenis's 55 goals setting the league records in both categories. After sweeping the Twin City Steel in the first round of the NA3HL playoffs, they once again met the Lumberjacks in the West Division finals, winning the decisive third game by a 9β5 score to advance to their second straight Silver Cup Tournament. The Bulls then outscored their opponents 24β4 over the next four games. They defeated the Flint Jr. Generals 3β0 to win their second straight Silver Cup. North Iowa advanced to the Tier III Junior National Championships in Simsbury, Connecticut, again going 3β0 in round-robin play against the Florida Jr. Blades, Dells Ducks, and Boston Bandits. The Bulls defeated the Northern Cyclones 5β1 in the semifinal game before losing 2β1 in the championship game to the Boston Junior Bruins of the USPHL Premier Division.
In 2014β15, the Bulls had a record of 6β4 through the first ten games on the road before returning home and winning 11 straight games. The Bulls and Lumberjacks led the West Division throughout the entire season, leading up to the final weekend series between the two teams to end the regular season with the Bulls winning to finish with a 37β9β1 record and the West Division title. In the playoffs, the Bulls swept the Twin City Steel in two games then defeated Granite City in three games in the division finals. In round-robin play at the Silver Cup Tournament, the Bulls defeated Granite City, the West Michigan Wolves, and the Great Falls Americans. The Bulls then lost the Silver Cup championship game to the Lumberjacks. The Bulls still advanced to the Tier III national championship as the league runners-up in Simsbury, Connecticut. The tournament was split into an "A" and "B" division with the Bulls in the "A" Division with the Granite City Lumberjacks, Dells Ducks, and Northern Cyclones. The Bulls would go 2β1 in the tournament, losing only to the Lumberjacks once again. The Bulls advanced to the title game over the Lumberjacks due to a higher score differential. The Bulls won their second Tier III national championship over the Northern Cyclones, 2β1.
North Iowa finished the 2015β16 season with a 42β2β3 record after moving to the Central Division, including 27-game winning streak and a league-record 57 goals from captain Brett Gravelle. The Bulls defeated the Rochester Ice Hawks and La Crosse Freeze in two-game sweeps to reach the Silver Cup Tournament for the fourth straight year. The Bulls defeated the Yellowstone Quake and Great Falls Americans in the round-robin, followed by an overtime win against Twin City in the semifinal and a 4β1 victory over the Metro Jets for their third league championship in four seasons.
The Bulls earned their fifth straight trip to the Silver Cup tournament the following 2016β17 season, with another division title and a 35β10β1β1 finish in the regular season. North Iowa swept Rochester and La Crosse in two games each to advance to the Silver Cup tournament. The Bulls won two games against the Long Beach Sharks and Binghamton Jr. Senators but lost to Yellowstone in the round-robin and did not advance. North Iowa won one more Central Division title in 2017β18, going 39β4β2β2 and sweeping the Wausau RiverWolves in two games in the first round. The La Crosse Freeze then defeated the Bulls with a two-game sweep in the Central Division finals, failing to make a tournament appearance for the first time since their inaugural season.
North Iowa finished in second place in their return to the West Division in 2018β19, going 32β12β3 and finishing behind Granite City with 67 points. The Bulls defeated the Rochester Grizzlies in a three-game series. The Alexandria Blizzard beat the top-seeded Granite City in a three-game first-round series, advancing to the West Division Finals before the Bulls swept them in two games. North Iowa split its first two games at the Fraser Cup tournament, formerly known as the Silver Cup, with a loss to the Lewiston/Auburn Nordiques and a win over the Helena Bighorns, but ended their season with a 3β1 loss to the eventual champion Texas Jr. Brahmas in the semifinal.
The Bulls took the West Division title in 2019β20, going 38β7β2 for the season and winning their final eight games. The team also moved out of its longtime home at the North Iowa Ice Arena, moving downtown to the new Mason City Multipurpose Arena at midseason. The team drew record crowds in its new home, averaging 1,585 fans over its first 11 games. Prior to the start of the playoffs, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic caused the playoffs to be, cancelled.
At the time of the announcement that the North Iowa Bulls would be promoted to Tier II, it had not been decided if the organization would continue to have a Tier III team as well in 2021β22, originally deciding to only have the Tier II team in Mason City. The NA3HL Bulls won the Fraser Cup championship in their final season. The organization the stated it will still operate a Tier III team. But has not determined a brand. Or location. On June 1, 2021, the organization announced the Tier III team had been rebranded the Mason City Toros and would remain in Mason City for at least one more season. With Sanden staying on as head coach of the Tier II Bulls, the Toros hired Nick Bruneteau as the next head coach.
Tier II: 2021βpresentβ»
In 2019, owners of the North Iowa Bulls, F&S Management Company LLC, acquired the Amarillo Bulls of the North American Hockey League (NAHL) and the North Iowa Bulls gained a Tier II affiliation. On March 5, 2021, it was announced that the Amarillo team would relocate to Mason City starting in the 2021β22 season as the North Iowa Bulls. Todd Sanden remained the head coach and general manager of the North Iowa Bulls after joining the NAHL.
Season-by-season recordsβ»
NAHLβ»
Season | GP | W | L | OTL | PTS | GF | GA | PIM | Regular Season Finish | Playoffs |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2021β22 | 60 | 22 | 28 | 10 | 54 | 194 | 234 | 857 | 6th of 6, Central 25th of 29, NAHL |
Did not qualify |
2022β23 | 60 | 29 | 27 | 4 | 62 | 167 | 179 | 647 | 6th of 6, Central 23rd of 29, NAHL |
Did not qualify |
2023β24 | 59 | 11 | 46 | 2 | 24 | 108 | 259 | 1403 | 6th of 6 Central, 32 of 32 NAHL | Eliminated |
NA3HLβ»
Season | GP | W | L | OTL | PTS | GF | GA | Regular Season Finish | Playoffs |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2011β12 | 48 | 29 | 15 | 4 | 62 | 172 | 156 | 2nd of 4, West Div. 4th of 16, NA3HL |
Won Division Semifinals, 2β0 vs. Twin City Steel Lost Division Finals, 1β2 Granite City Lumberjacks |
2012β13 | 48 | 41 | 4 | 3 | 85 | 297 | 114 | 1st of 5, West Div. | Won Division Semifinals, 3β0 vs. Minnesota Flying Aces 2β0β0 in Silver Cup round-robin (W, 5β0 vs. Jr. Generals; OTW, 3β2 vs. Lumberjacks); Won Silver Cup Championship game, 11β0 vs. Peoria Mustangs |
2013β14 | 48 | 45 | 3 | 0 | 90 | 334 | 92 | 1st of 5, West Div. 1st of 21, NA3HL |
Won Division Semifinals, 2β0 vs. Twin City Steel Won Division Finals, 2β1 vs. Granite City Lumberjacks 3β0β0 in Silver Cup round-robin (W, 7β1 vs. Jr. Stars; W, 7β0 vs. Jr. Blues; W, 7β3 vs. Jr. Generals) Won Silver Cup Championship game, 3β0 vs. Flint Jr. Generals |
2014β15 | 47 | 37 | 9 | 1 | 75 | 245 | 109 | 1st of 6, West Div. 2nd of 31, NA3HL |
Won Division Semifinals, 2β0 vs. Twin City Steel Won Division Finals, 2β1 vs. Granite City Lumberjacks 3β0β0 in Silver Cup round-robin (W, 7β4 vs. Lumberjacks; W, 2β0 vs. Wolves; W, 6β1 vs. Americans) Lost Championship game, 2β3 vs. Granite City Lumberjacks |
2015β16 | 47 | 42 | 2 | 3 | 87 | 301 | 63 | 1st of 5, Central Div. 1st of 34, NA3HL |
Won Division Semifinals, 2β0 vs. Rochester Ice Hawks Won Division Finals, 2β0 vs. La Crosse Freeze 2β1β0 in Silver Cup round-robin (W, 6β2 vs. Quake; W, 4β1 vs. Americans; L, 3β4 vs. Ducks) Won Silver Cup Semifinal game, 4β3 OT vs. Twin City Steel Won Silver Cup Championship game, 4β1 vs. Metro Jets |
2016β17 | 47 | 35 | 10 | 2 | 72 | 268 | 111 | 1st of 5, Central Div 8th of 48, NA3HL |
Won Division Semifinals, 2β0 vs. Rochester Ice Hawks Won Division Finals, 2β0 vs. La Crosse Freeze 2β1β0 in Silver Cup round-robin (L, 2β4 vs. Quake; OTW, 3β2 vs. Jr. Senators; W, 8β4 vs. Sharks) |
2017β18 | 47 | 39 | 4 | 4 | 82 | 304 | 92 | 1st of 5, Central Div 2nd of 42, NA3HL |
Won Division Semifinals, 2β0 vs. Wausau RiverWolves Lost Division Finals, 0β2 vs. La Crosse Freeze |
2018β19 | 47 | 32 | 12 | 3 | 67 | 228 | 121 | 2nd of 7, West Div 11th of 36, NA3HL |
Won Division Semifinals, 2β1 vs. Rochester Grizzlies Won Div. Finals, 2β0 vs. Alexandria Blizzard 1β1β0 in Fraser Cup round-robin (L, 4β7 vs. Nordiques; W, 8β2 vs. Bighorns) Lost Semifinal game, 1β3 vs. Texas Jr. Brahmas |
2019β20 | 47 | 38 | 7 | 2 | 78 | 272 | 96 | 1st of 6, West Div 4th of 34, NA3HL |
Playoffs cancelled |
2020β21 | 40 | 27 | 11 | 2 | 56 | 182 | 104 | 1st of 5, West Div 8th of 31, NA3HL |
Won Div. Semifinals, 2β1 vs. Alexandria Blizzard Won Div. Finals, 2β1 vs. Willmar WarHawks 2β0β0 in Fraser Cup round-robin Pool A (OTW, 2β1 vs. Hawks; W, 8β1 vs. Generals) Won Semifinal game, 2β1 vs. Oklahoma City Jr. Blazers Won Fraser Cup Championship game, 5β1 vs. Rochester Grizzlies |
2021β22 | 47 | 33 | 13 | 1 | 67 | 241 | 217 | 2nd of 6, West Div 8th of 31, NA3HL |
Won Div. Semifinals, 2β0 vs. Willmar WarHawks Lost Div. Finals, 1β2 vs. Granite City Lumberjacks |
2022β23 | 47 | 30 | 16 | 1 | 61 | 183 | 156 | 3rd of 6, West Div 12th of 34, NA3HL |
Lost Div. Semifinals, 1β2 vs. Alexandria Blizzard |
2023β24 | 47 | 24 | 20 | 3 | 51 | 201 | 167 | 4th of 6, West Div 18th of 34, NA3HL |
Lost Div. Semifinals, 1-2 vs. Granite City Lumberjacks |
USA Hockey Tier III Junior Hockey National Championshipβ»
Year | Round Robin | Record | Place | Semifinal | Championship |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2013 | W, 5β2 vs. New Hampshire Jr. Monarchs (EmJHL) W, 7β0 vs. Bellingham Blazers (NPHL) W, 5β1 vs. Twin Cities Northern Lights (MnJHL) |
3β0β0 | 1st of 4 National Pool |
OTW, 3β2 vs. Helena Bighorns (AWHL) | W, 6β2 vs. Twin Cities Northern Lights (MnJHL) National Champions |
2014 | W, 5β0 vs. Florida Jr. Blades (USPHL-Empire) W, 5β1 vs. Dells Ducks (MnJHL) W, 11β2 vs. Boston Bandits (MetJHL) |
3β0β0 | 1st of 4 Pool C |
W, 5β1 vs. Northern Cyclones (EHL) | L, 1β4 vs. Boston Junior Bruins (USPHL-Premier) |
2015 | W, 3β1 vs. Northern Cyclones (EHL) W, 2β1 vs. Dells Ducks (MnJHL) L, 3β4 vs. Granite City Lumberjacks (NA3HL) |
2β1β0 | 2nd of 4 Div. 1 |
Not played | W, 2β1 vs. Northern Cyclones (EHL) National Champions |
Alumniβ»
The Bulls have advanced a number of players on to higher levels of junior hockey including the North American Hockey League, as well as NCAA Division I, NCAA Division III and ACHA college programs.
Division Iβ»
- Adam Carlson (2012β13); Mercyhurst University
- Aaron Davis (2012β13); Lake Superior State University
- Dominik Florian (2013β14); American International College
- Greg Ogard (2011β12); University of Denver
- Kohei Sato (2014β16); University of New Hampshire
- Jeff Solow (2015β16); Merrimack College
- Josh Benson (2016β17); Sacred Heart University
- Seth Eisele (2016β17); Lake Superior State University
Referencesβ»
- ^ "NA3HL approves Mason City, Iowa membership". NA3HL. May 6, 2011.
- ^ "North Iowa Bulls crowned 2012-13 NA3HL Silver Cup Champions". NA3HL. March 30, 2013.
- ^ "Junior Tier III: North Iowa Bulls Charge to National Title". USA Hockey. April 9, 2013.
- ^ "North Iowa turns aside Metro Jets 4-1 for NA3HL crown". North Iowa Bulls. Retrieved 2020-05-27.
- ^ "Bulls' Season Ended By Brahmas, 3-1". North Iowa Bulls. Retrieved 2020-05-27.
- ^ "COVID-19 Ends Bulls' Title Hopes, Closes Incredible Season". North Iowa Bulls. Retrieved 2020-05-27.
- ^ "NA3HL Announces Cancellation of Fraser Cup Playoffs". North Iowa Bulls. Retrieved 2020-05-27.
- ^ "NAHL announces relocation of Amarillo Bulls to Mason City, Iowa". NAHL. March 5, 2021.
- ^ "North Iowa Bulls Announce Move to NAHL". North Iowa Bulls. March 5, 2021.
- ^ "Bulls' Final NA3HL Home Game Ends with Win, Trip to Fraser Cup". North Iowa Bulls. April 11, 2021.
- ^ "North Iowa Bulls cap off 'Decade of Dominance' with Fraser Cup win". Globe Gazette. April 19, 2021.
- ^ "Bulls Look Back on Fourth National Championship Season". North Iowa Bulls. April 28, 2021.
- ^ "Mason City Toros begin new era in the NA3HL". NA3HL. June 1, 2021.
- ^ "Mason City Toros name Bruneteau as Head Coach". NA3HL. June 3, 2021.
- ^ "Amarillo Bulls announce new ownership ahead of 10th anniversary season". KFDA-TV. September 27, 2019.
- ^ "A Letter to Amarillo Bulls Fans". Amarillo Bulls. March 5, 2021. Retrieved March 5, 2021.
- ^ "Bulls Take 11 in NA3HL Draft". North Iowa Bulls. April 28, 2021.
- ^ "2013 Tier III Nat. Championships". USA Hockey. Retrieved August 18, 2015.
- ^ "2014 Tier III Nat. Championships". USA Hockey. Retrieved August 18, 2015.
- ^ "2015 Tier III Junior Nat. Championships". USA Hockey. Retrieved September 17, 2015.
- ^ "Chill goalie Carlson makes NCAA DI commitment". North American Hockey League (NAHL). Retrieved 2020-05-27.
- ^ "Aaron Davis' Elite Prospects Profile". Elite Prospects. Retrieved September 11, 2017.
- ^ "Coulee Region forward Florian makes NCAA DI commitment". North American Hockey League. May 18, 2016.
- ^ "Bay State Breakers '92 goalie Greg Ogard commits to Denver". SB Nation. July 11, 2013.
- ^ "Former Bulls Star Sato Speeds off to New Hampshire". North Iowa Bulls. April 5, 2017.
- ^ "New Hampshire Receives Commitment From Japanese Player". College Hockey News. April 5, 2017.
- ^ "Northeast forward Sato makes NCAA DI commitment". North American Hockey League. April 5, 2017.
- ^ "Go East, Young Man: Solow Commits to Merrimack, Hockey East". North Iowa Bulls. January 18, 2017.
- ^ "NAHL Defenseman Jeff Solow Will Join Merrimack For Second Half". The Mack Report. January 17, 2017.
- ^ "Amarillo defenseman Solow makes NCAA DI commitment". North American Hockey League. January 18, 2017.
- ^ "Fairbanks goaltender Benson makes NCAA DI commitment". North American Hockey League (NAHL). Retrieved 2020-05-27.
- ^ "Lone Star goalie Eisele makes NCAA DI commitment". North American Hockey League (NAHL). Retrieved 2020-05-27.