The Northwest Express is a Tier III Jr. A ice hockey team playing in the United States Premier Hockey League (USPHL-Elite). In May 2024, the United States Premier Hockey League (USPHL) announced the relocation of the Minnesota Moose to Spooner, Wisconsin. Upon moving from Minnesota to Northwest Wisconsin, the team adopted a new identity as the Northwest Express.
This transition saw the team continue to compete in the highly competitive Midwest West division from their new home at the Spooner Civic Center.
Early History as Minnesota Wildcats
Founded in 2003 as the Twin Bridges (later St. Louis) Lightning, the franchise was sold and relocated to Maple Grove in 2005 to form the Minnesota Wildcats. In 2008, the Wildcats were sold and became the Maple Grove Energy. Prior to the 2015-16 season, the Energy and its prior entities were members of the Minnesota Junior Hockey League. At the conclusion of the 2014-15 season, all but two members of the Minnesota Junior Hockey League joined in with the Midwest Junior Hockey League to become the Midwest division of the USPHL.
The Move to Spooner and New Identity
Upon moving from Minnesota to Northwest Wisconsin, the team adopted a new identity as the Northwest Express. The Spooner Civic Center, the largest rink in northwest Wisconsin, now serves as the hub for the Northwest Express. This state-of-the-art facility boasts not only an expansive ice sheet but also a full-size gym, banquet halls, and a newly established bar and restaurant operated by the Express ownership. This extensive facility offers an enhanced experience for both players and fans.
Building Community Ties
The Spooner Area Youth Hockey Association has expressed enthusiastic support for the arrival of the Northwest Express. Nikki Perkins, representing the association, shared, “Spooner Area Youth Hockey Association is excited to welcome the Northwest Express to the Spooner Civic Center for the fall of 2024. 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, Wis. 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.”
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Integrating into Spooner
Located in the heart of downtown Spooner, the Civic Center provides a strategic location for the Northwest Express to integrate into the community. The team is eager to engage in various volunteer opportunities, such as collaborating with the youth program, initiating book clubs, and more. Known for its lakes and cabin country, Spooner offers a unique environment for the team to establish their new hockey legacy.
Leadership and Continuity
The Northwest Express maintains continuity with key personnel staying on board. Team Owner Joe Dibble, General Manager Jon Jonasson, and Head Coach Nic Leibold continue in their previous roles, ensuring a smooth transition. The ownership structure also remains unchanged, providing stability and continuity for the team.
Team Owner Joe Dibble shared his personal connection to Spooner, stating, “We are excited about the move of our hockey program to the Spooner community starting in the Fall of 2024. 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-19. Spooner is a special place to me, and I am excited to share that same experience with the players of the Northwest Express.”
Joe established the Northwest Express to provide players a platform to develop and advance their hockey careers. When Joe stepped away from the bench as a coach it was important to continue his passion of player development and advancement. Taking everything he learned as a coach he developed a three-pillar formula for players to have the opportunity to receive elite on ice training, high level exposure camps and finally player advising. Joe has now been a Junior A Hockey owner for 8 years.
Joe Dibble's Coaching and Management History
- Assistant Coach at Augsburg University (2017-2018): Guided the Auggies to a MIAC Championship and a NCAA tournament appearance.
- Head Coach and General Manager of the Janesville Jets (2012 to 2017): Compiled a record of 180-90-27, two Division Titles, and four straight playoff runs, advancing to the Robertson Cup Finals in 2014 and 2016.
- Coach of the Year: North Division in 2014 and Midwest Division in 2016.
- Head Coach of the North Division Top Prospects team in 2014 and Head Coach of the 2016 Midwest Division Top Prospects team.
- Assistant Coach of the NAHL Selects team in 2015.
- Assistant Coach (2009) and Head Coach/General Manager for the Springfield Jr. Blues of the North American Hockey League.
Ross Oestreich: Assistant Coach
Ross Oestreich begins his first year as an Assistant Coach with the Northwest Express. During the previous three seasons, Ross was an Assistant Coach for the Wisconsin Lumberjacks of the Superior International Junior Hockey League (SIJHL). He assisted in the development of numerous players that moved on to opportunities in the NCAA Division III and ACHA ranks.
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Prior to coaching junior hockey, Ross sharpened his diverse coaching skills as an Assistant Coach for the Elk River (MN) Girls High School Hockey team and Waupaca (WI) High School Boys Hockey and Football Teams guiding players to be the best they can be on and away from the sports arena.
As a player, growing up in the Waupaca (WI) Area Youth Hockey Association, Ross cultivated a passion for fun, teamwork, community and competitiveness, earning stops at Marian University NCAA Division III, and Colorado State University ACHA Division 2.
Concurrently, Ross enlisted at the age of 17 in the Wisconsin Army National Guard as an Infantryman deploying to Iraq in 2005. Ross went to US Army Officer Candidate School and commissioned as an Infantry Officer. In 2011 he went on to serve as a Platoon Leader in Afghanistan. While abroad, Ross played on the EC 2000 Amberg Ravens (Germany 6) and for the Bayern Rangers US Army Hockey Team.
Erik Larson, DPT: Athletic Trainer
Erik Larson, DPT is committed to providing the best quality of care for his patients. As clinic owner, director and Northwest Athletic Trainer, his goal is for the team to not only meet their patients’ expectations but exceed them. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Health Sciences in 2008 and his Doctorate in Physical Therapy in 2011 from the College of St. Scholastica. Following his education, he worked in and managed a variety of settings including skilled nursing facilities, sub-acute rehab and outpatient physical therapy clinics.
Erik is a native of Washburn County, and he enjoys the challenge of exploring and learning new ways to better meet our community's needs. Erik holds experience in a vast amount of treatment specializations including specializes in sports medicine, orthopedics, pediatric rehabilitation, dry needling, spinal care and aquatic therapy.
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Curtis Martens: Community Outreach
A dedicated father of two boys, aged 11 and 23, Curtis has been passionate about hockey since his oldest son laced up skates at age three. With lifelong ties to the community where he has lived his entire life, Curtis understands the importance of fostering strong local connections.
He is committed to creating partnerships with surrounding communities to sustain the Northwest Express’s presence in Spooner and to deliver memorable gameday experiences that inspire and unite fans. Curtis also values the players’ involvement in volunteering to enhance their visibility within the community. If there are any needs or opportunities to collaborate, please reach out to schedule a meeting.
Sam Seefeldt: Billet Coordinator
Sam has a long-standing connection to both the sport of hockey and the community surrounding the Northwest Express. As a first-year billet coordinator, she brings a wealth of personal experience and passion to her role, having been involved in billeting for nearly 20 years.
Her family’s journey into the world of hockey began when they billeted a player in 2002. That first experience left a lasting impression, and over the years, she and her family have continued to open their home to players, fostering the growth of young athletes both on and off the ice. This long-standing commitment to billeting has only strengthened her bond with the Northwest Express organization.
In fact, it was during her very first years of billeting that she met the owner of the Northwest Express, that would later lead to her taking on the role of billet coordinator. Today, she is the proud mother of two boys: the eldest, who started playing hockey nearly 20 years ago, and her youngest, a current peewee player. Her deep love for the game, combined with her firsthand experience as both a parent and a billet, allows her to connect with families and players in a unique and meaningful way.
As a local nursing supervisor and billet coordinator, Sam is known for her exceptional organizational skills and her unwavering dedication to creating the best possible experience for both the players and the billet families. She is passionate about fostering a supportive and welcoming environment, ensuring that each player feels at home while becoming an integral part of the community.
About the USPHL
Founded in 2012, the United States Premier Hockey League (USPHL) is comprised of over 150 teams, fielding more than 20,000 players aged 8-21 in more than 100 organizations across the North, South, Midwest, West, and Canada. Our Youth and Midget divisions (operated through the Tier 1 Hockey Federation) field full season 9U through 18U teams.
The USPHL has sent over 8,000 players to all levels of college hockey including over 3,300 into NCAA college hockey and over 200 players into NCAA Division I hockey.