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Iron Range Yellow Jackets

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Iron Range Yellow Jackets
CityColeraine, Minnesota
LeagueMinnesota Junior Hockey League
Operated1999-2002
Home arenaHodgins-Berardo Arena
ColorsYellow, Black, and White
General managerEric Ballard
Head coachEric Ballard

The Iron Range Yellow Jackets were a Junior "B" ice hockey team from Coleraine, Minnesota, United States. This defunct hockey team was a part of the Minnesota Junior Hockey League and an interleague member of the Junior "A" Superior International Junior Hockey League.

History

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The Yellow Jackets played in the MNJHL from 1999 until 2002. Iron Range won the regular season title and playoff championship all three seasons. During their first two seasons the Yellow Jackets played home games at Hodgins-Berardo Arena in Coleraine.

Iron Range played in two USA Hockey Junior B National Tournament championship games, coming up just short both times. The Jackets attempted to win the title in their first season, but lost in overtime to the Ventura Mariners 5-4. In 2000-01 the Yellow Jackets traveled to the east coast and again were a goal short, losing to 5-4 to the Connecticut Clippers.

During that final 2001-02 season they called the IRA Civic Center in Grand Rapids[1] home and doubled their schedule by competing in the SIJHL in the Thunder Bay, region of Ontario, Canada.

In July 2002 the Yellow Jackets suspended operations in hopes of returning in 2003-04. Head Coach Eric Ballard was named coach of the Northwest Wisconsin Knights for the 2002-03 season.[2]

Iron Range junior hockey

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Junior A hockey returned to the Iron Range, in Gaylord with the Iron Range Ironheads during the 2011-12 SIJHL season. In 2012, the team moved to Hoyt Lakes and was renamed the Minnesota Iron Rangers.

Season-by-season results

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Season GP W L T OTL GF GA Pts Regular Season Results Playoff Results
1999-00 36 33 3 0 0 287 93 66 1st, MNJHL Bush Cup champion. Nationals runner-up.[3]
2000-01 35 32 2 - 1 270 86 65 1st, MNJHL Bush Cup champion.[4] Nationals runner-up.[5]
2001-02 42 37 3 - 2 275 126 74 1st, MNJHL Bush Cup champion.[6] Nationals appearance.
2001-02 24 12 10 2 0 102 88 26 Partial SIJHL member DNP

References

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  1. ^ "Iron Range Yellow Jackets moving to Grand Rapids". Grand Rapids Herald-Review. August 2001.
  2. ^ "Knights hire Eric Ballard as general manager and coach". Spooner Advocate. 23 August 2002.
  3. ^ "Wide array of players came together for Yellow Jackets". Grand Rapids Herald-Review. April 2000.
  4. ^ "Yellow Jackets win MJHL playoffs". Grand Rapids Herald-Review. March 2002.
  5. ^ "Connecticut Clippers Win National Title". Hartford Courant. 11 April 2001.
  6. ^ "'Jackets win MJHL title". Grand Rapids Herald-Review. February 2002.
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