NAHL junior hockey team coming to Southeastern Wisconsin

After three seasons in Eagle River, the Wisconsin Windigo of the North American Hockey League (NAHL) were sold to an ownership group consisting of Greg Copeland, Matt Roadhouse, and Tan Lo, all residents of metro Milwaukee. The Windigo will now call The Ponds of Brookfield its new home starting with the 2025/26 season.

Greg Copeland is the owner of The Ponds of Brookfield, head coach of the Brookfield Stars, and the parent of youth hockey players. Copeland played four seasons of NCAA hockey at Marian University. Matt Roadhouse is the owner of Swing Time Golf, and this past season he served as Windigo’s Director of Scouting and as an assistant coach for the Brookfield Stars. Tan Lo is a successful real estate developer and parent of youth hockey players.

“Bringing the Windigo to Brookfield is a major step forward for hockey in our region and the fan experience at The Ponds. While details are still in the works, we’re already exploring future upgrades-from locker rooms to fan zones. Fans and players can expect to see this vision take shape over time.” Greg Copeland, Owner of The Ponds, Windigo Partner

The Windigo won the NAHL’s Midwest Division this past season and advanced to the Robertson Cup. The Windigo coaching staff will stay intact and move with the team. Windigo’s head coach, John Mitchell, played WIAA hockey for Neenah, four seasons for the Wisconsin Badgers and five seasons professionally. Prior to coaching junior hockey, he served as an assistant coach at University School of Milwaukee.

Windigo’s head coach and ownership group have deep roots in Wisconsin, and they have a vested interest in developing local players. This past season some of the top prospects on the team were kids from Wisconsin. For the upcoming season Windigo tendered Bjorn Bahneman of New Richmond, Cooper Simon of Brookfield, Jackson Hoem of Chippewa Falls, and the staff are actively scouting additional Wisconsin players.

“The Windigo moving to Southeastern Wisconsin will provide huge benefits to our area. We hope to foster a resurgence in high level coaching and player development. We plan to give players across the state an opportunity for exposure and development.” Matt Roadhouse, Windigo’s VP of Hockey Operations

The NAHL has 35 teams in four divisions. Wisconsin is home to three NAHL teams that all play in the Midwest Division. Brookfield-Wisconsin Windigo, Chippewa Falls-Chippewa Steel, and Janesville-Janesville Jets. In addition, each of these teams have youth fall and spring teams that provide younger players with exposure to scouts and development opportunities in the NAPHL at the U18/U16/U15 age levels.

For more information regarding teams in the NAHL, please visit www.nahl.com

Best wishes to the Wisconsin Windigo!

Yours for hockey, Matt Carey