APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — The new Fox Cities Forge Hockey Team is calling the Appleton Family Ice Center home.
The junior team is set to kickoff its inaugural season in September.
“Our goal is to help young people develop into men and provide them with an opportunity to enhance their game so they can move on to college hockey or higher levels of junior hockey,” said Mark Mazzoleni, Co-Owner of the Forge.
Co-Owner Jeff Lindemann said the team was born out of a necessity for a North American 3 Hockey League team in the state.
It bridges the gap for players who may otherwise miss an opportunity to get on the ice.
“We wanted to give Wisconsin guys a fair shake,” Lindemann explained. “We know that sometimes some of the scouts that are out there, they overlook Wisconsin for whatever reason. They’re looking at the 3 M’s, Minnesota, Michigan, and Massachusetts.”
The Forge is affiliated with the Janesville Jets, who play in the NAHL, which is the top Tier II league. The affiliation gives players ages 16-20 a direct path to advance into that league.
For comparison, the Green Bay Gamblers play in the USHL, which is a Tier I league.
The Forge is focused on community outreach. Building a pathway to higher levels of hockey play while providing athletic growth to the players.
“Fox Valley Youth Hockey, Appleton Area Hockey Association, the Oshkosh Youth Hockey Group,” Lindemann continued. “These kids are going to have a great chance to get out here, watch kids play at the next level. Kids that they’ve probably seen and know that make it to that next level, and that’s going to be great for the hockey community all together.”
With the Gamblers in Green Bay, Lindemann said the Fox Valley needs its own home team.
“If you wanted to come and get to place with 1,000 people in it, where you’re going to be a little bit closer to the players, a little bit closer to the action, and a little bit closer to home, why not be in the Fox Cities?” he said.
