| Wausau Cyclones | |
 | |
| City: | Wausau, Wisconsin |
|---|---|
| League: | North American 3 Hockey League |
| Division: | Central |
| Founded: | 2010 (revived in 2013) |
| Home Arena: | Marathon Park Arena |
| Colors: | Black, Gold, and White |
| Franchise history | |
| 2010-2011: | Chicago Force |
| 2011-2012: | Chicago Hitmen |
| 2012-2013: | inactive |
| 2013-2017: | Chicago Bulldogs |
| 2017-2021: | Wausau RiverWolves |
| 2021-Present: | Wausau Cyclones |
The Wausau Cyclones are a USA Hockey-sanctioned ice hockey team from Wausau, Wisconsin. The team commenced play with the 2010-11 season as the Chicago Force based out of the Fox Valley Ice Arena in Geneva, Illinois where they played for two seasons. The team was renamed the Chicago Hitmen for 2011-12 The organization sat out the 2012-13 season. The team was revived for the 2013-14 season under the Jr. Bulldogs moniker. They play in the North American 3 Hockey League at the Marathon Park Arena in Wausau.
On May 17, 2016 the NA3HL announced that the change in ownership of the team had been approved. The team was purchased by Exceed Hockey Group, LLC which consist of Scott Meyer and Joe Pankratz. The two are also the owners of the NAHL's Minnesota Magicians. As part of the announcement the team named Craig Sheppard as the new head coach. The announcement also unveiled a new team logo and colors which are very similar to the Magicians.
On April 26, 2017 it was announced that the league had approved the sale and relocation of the Chicago Jr. Bulldogs to Wausau, Wisconsin for the 2017-18 season. The team was renamed the Wausau RiverWolves and will be based out of the Marathon Park Arena in Wausau. The new owners are also the owners of the New Ulm Steel.
On April 23, 2021 it was announced that the franchise had been sold and were being renamed the Wausau Cyclones.[1]
logo as Chicago Bulldogs 2016-2017
Season-by-season records[]
| Season | GP | W | L | T | OL | SL | GF | GA | Pts | Regular Season Finish | Playoffs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago Force | |||||||||||
| 2010–11 | 45 | 28 | 14 | - | 2 | 1 | 215 | 139 | 59 | 4th | Unknown |
| Chicago Hitmen | |||||||||||
| 2011–12 | 48 | 23 | 21 | - | 1 | 3 | 148 | 173 | 50 | 2nd, Central | Lost Division Semifinals (0-2) Peoria Mustangs |
| 2012–13 | Did not participate | ||||||||||
| Chicago Jr. Bulldogs | |||||||||||
| 2013–14 | 48 | 24 | 17 | - | 7 | - | 201 | 197 | 55 | 4th, Central | Lost Division Semifinals (0-2) Peoria Mustangs |
| 2014–15 | 40 | 31 | 8 | - | 1 | - | 229 | 115 | 63 | 2nd, North | First Round Robin Pool B (3-0) Won League Championship Round Robin (3-0) 2015 USA Hockey Jr's Lost Division 2 Championship 1-9 (Boston Jr. Bruins) |
| 2015–16 | 44 | 31 | 9 | - | 1 | - | 224 | 143 | 66 | 2nd of 6 West | Won Div. Semifinals, 2-0 vs. Roc City Royals Lost Divi. Finals, 1-2 vs. Jersey Shore Wildcats |
| Chicago Bulldogs | |||||||||||
| 2016–17 | 47 | 1 | 45 | - | 1 | 1 | 67 | 505 | 3 | 5th of 5 Central | Did not qualify |
| Wausau RiverWolves | |||||||||||
| 2017–18 | 47 | 11 | 35 | - | 1 | 0 | 127 | 283 | 23 | 4th of 5 Central | Lost Div. Semifinal 0-2 (North Iowa Bulls) |
| 2018-19 | 47 | 9 | 37 | - | 1 | 0 | 120 | 296 | 19 | 6th of 7 Central | Did not qualify |
| 2019-20 | 47 | 6 | 38 | - | 3 | 0 | 96 | 291 | 15 | 6th of 6 Central | Did not qualify |
| 2020-21 | 40 | 6 | 33 | - | 1 | 0 | 70 | 218 | 13 | 6th of 6 Central | Did not qualify |
| Wausau Cyclones | |||||||||||
| 2021-22 | 47 | 21 | 24 | - | 1 | 1 | 122 | 159 | 44 | 4th of 6 Central | Lost Div. Semifinal 0-2 (Rochester Grizzlies) |
| 2022-23 | 47 | 13 | 30 | - | 4 | 0 | 127 | 198 | 30 | 5th of 6 Central | Did not qualify |
| 2023-24 | 47 | 36 | 10 | - | 0 | 1 | 211 | 114 | 73 | 1st of 6 Central | Lost Division Final |