2018-2019 Rochester Grizzlies Inaugural Season
Grizzlies team picture from their inaugural 2018-19 Season.
In their inaugural season, the Grizzlies finished the Regular Season with a record of 31-15-1, good for 63 points. That led to a third-place finish in the tough West Division and a spot in the Fraser Cup Playoffs. The Grizzlies enjoyed a 10-game win streak during the regular season, as well. During the inaugural season, Grizzlies players volunteered throughout the community with such organizations as Rochester Youth Hockey Association, Habitat for Humanity, Salvation Army, and more.
2019-2020
Grizzlies team picture from the 2019-20 Season.
During the 2019-20 campaign, the Grizzlies made the switch from the West to the Central Division of the NA3HL. At the helm for the Grizzlies would be First-Year Head Coach Chris Ratzloff, who joined the team after the departure of Casey Mignone. Ratzloff and the Grizzlies saw immediate success as the team would finish the Regular Season with a record of 37-8-2 (76pts) and the Franchise’s first Central Division Regular Season Title. Grizzlies Goaltender, Mathis Bäckström would be named the NA3HL Goaltender of the Year for his performance during the 2019-20 Season. Bäckström finished the season with a record of 18-5-0, a 1.55 GAA, .939 SV% and 4 Shutouts. Unfortunately, the Grizzlies and the NA3HL postseason would be canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
2020-2021
Grizzlies team picture from the 2020-21 Season.
After the cancellation of the 2019-20 Playoffs, the NA3HL announced that the 2020-21 Season would be played. The Grizzlies would win their 2nd straight Regular Season title after finishing with a record of 34-5-1 (69pts). During the Central Division Playoffs, the Grizzlies would sweep the Oregon Tradesmen in the division semifinals and would win the division final 2 games to 1 over the Peoria Mustangs to clinch the organization’s first-ever Division title and a trip to the Fraser Cup Playoffs. The Grizzlies would be the #1 seeded team going into Pool Play at the Fraser Cup Playoffs. After beating the Texas Brahmas (4-3) and the Oklahoma City Blazers (3-1), Rochester would find themselves in the Fraser Cup Semifinals against the Sheridan Hawks and would ultimately secure their first-ever trip to the Fraser Cup Finals with a 7-1 victory over the Hawks. In the Fraser Cup Final, the Grizzlies would match up with former West Division rival, the North Iowa Bulls. After a hard-fought battle, North Iowa would end up on top as the Grizzlies would see their season end as National Runner-Ups. Rochester would finish the 2020-21 campaign with an overall record of 41-7-1 (83pts). For the second straight season, a Grizzlies’ goalie would be named the NA3HL Goalie of the Year, as Shane Soderwall would win the Award. Soderwall finished the 2020-21 season with a record of 26-3-1, a 1.52 GAA, .943 SV%, and 7 shutouts. That wouldn’t be the only award a Grizzlies player would receive, as Grizzlies Captain and Forward Peyton Hart would be named the NA3HL Forward of the Year and the League’s Most Valuable Player. Hart totaled 28G-31A-59P in 49 games played during the 2020-21 Season. Chris Ratzloff would also be named the NA3HL Coach of the Year and the Rochester Grizzlies would be named the 2020-21 Organization of the Year.
2021-2022 – FRASER CUP CHAMPIONS FOR THE FIRST TIME IN ORGANIZATION HISTORY
Grizzlies team picture from the 2021-22 Season.
After the heartbreaking end to the 2020-21 Season, the Grizzlies looked to bounce back and return to the Fraser Cup Finals. After the departure of Assistant Coach Mike Aikens, Tyler Veen joined Head Coach Chris Ratzloff behind the bench as the team’s new Assistant Coach. For the 3rd straight season, the Grizzlies would secure the Central Division Regular Season title with a record of 38-6-3 (79pts). Rochester would match up with the Wausau Cyclones in the Division Semifinals and would sweep the series 2-0 to set up a match-up with division rival, the Oregon Tradesmen in the Central Division Finals. It would take three games, but in the end, the Grizzlies would secure their 2nd straight trip to the Fraser Cup Playoffs and make another run towards a Fraser Cup Championship. Rochester would match up with the Northeast Generals and the Gillette Wild in Pool Play. Rochester would drop game one of pool play, 5-2, to Northeast and would find themselves in a win-or-go-home scenario against the Gillette Wild but would battle and that contest 4-2 to advance to the Fraser Cup Semifinals against the Helena Bighorns. In the second meeting of the season between the two teams, Rochester would outlast Helena 4-2 to advance yet again to the Fraser Cup Championship against the Granite City Lumberjack, who the Grizzlies also met earlier in the season. In the first meeting between the two clubs at the NA3HL Showcase, Granite City would come out on top by a final of 3-2. Rochester would be looking for a different outcome this time around and with the help of a 29 save shutout by Zach Wiese, the Rochester Grizzlies would win their first Fraser Cup Title in franchise history. Grizzlies’ forward Ben Oakland’s performance at the Fraser Cup earned him the Fraser Cup Playoffs Most Valuable Player award. For the third straight season, the Grizzlies would have the NA3HL Goalie of the Year, this time Zach Wiese would win the title. Wiese finished the 2021-22 season with a record of 27-4-2, a 1.74 GAA, .928 SV%, and 5 shutouts on the year. Defensemen Noah Roitman would win the NA3HL Defensemen of the Year title and Forward Kyle Bauer would be named the leagues Rookie of the Year. Chris Ratzloff would be named the NA3HL Coach of the Year and the Rochester Grizzlies would be named the Organization of the Year for the second straight Season.
2022-2023 – 5 YEARS OF GRIZZLIES HOCKEY
The 2022–23 Rochester Grizzlies entered the season with high expectations following the organization’s first-ever Fraser Cup Championship, and they responded with another outstanding campaign. Despite graduating much of their championship roster, the Grizzlies finished the regular season with a 33-9-2-3 record, capturing the Central Division Regular Season Championship and proving they remained one of the NA3HL’s elite organizations. Throughout the year, Rochester consistently ranked among the league leaders on both ends of the ice, showcasing a balanced roster, strong goaltending, and a commitment to developing players for the next level.
The Grizzlies carried that success into the postseason, advancing to the Central Division Finals before ultimately falling to the Oregon Tradesmen, ending their bid for back-to-back Fraser Cup appearances. While the season concluded earlier than the team had hoped, it further solidified Rochester’s reputation as one of the premier franchises in junior hockey. Off the ice, the organization continued its developmental mission, with 10 players earning NCAA and ACHA college hockey commitments during and following the season, while several others received opportunities to advance within junior hockey. Building on the momentum of the 2022 championship, the 2022–23 campaign reinforced the culture of excellence that has become synonymous with the Rochester Grizzlies organization.
2023-2024 Season – NEW COACH, NEW DIVISION
The Grizzlies would come into the 2023-24 season thanking and saying goodbye Chris Ratzloff for his commitment to the organization, as he moved on to become the Head Coach/GM of the NAHL Chippewa Steel. With Chris’ departure, Tyler Veen stepped in for his first year as a head Coach in The NA3HL. Tyler built his staff up by hiring Brandon Ratzloff(Augsburg Hockey Alum) and Bob Montrose(University of Wisconsin Superior Alum) as Assistant coaches as he headed into his first year. The Grizzlies moved back into the West Division of the NA3HL due to the New Ulm Steel moving to become the Wisconsin Woodsmen in Tomah, Wisconsin.
The Grizzlies would find success in the new, but familiar, division throughout the season, posting a record of 35-9-1-2(74 Points), but would fall short of the Regular Season Division Title by 1 point to the Granite City Lumberjacks. Entering the Fraser Cup Playoffs the Grizzlies matched up against the Alexandria Blizzard in the first round, where we would see a sweep, finishing off the Blizzard on their own ice, to move onto the second round where they would face the season long enemy; The Granite City Lumberjacks. Entering game 1 of the series the Grizzlies knew they had to be at the top of their game after struggling against the Jacks all season long. Unfortunately, the Grizzlies would not be able to get passed the second round of the Fraser Cup Playoffs, falling to the Lumberjacks in 2 games. The Grizzlies would see 5 of their age-outs commit to play collegiate hockey from the 23-24 team, and 3 Grizzlies Alumni from past teams commit to further their collegiate hockey career.
2024-2025 Season – BACK WHERE WE BELONG
The 2024–25 Rochester Grizzlies once again established themselves as one of the NA3HL’s top organizations, finishing the regular season with a 28-14-5 record and securing a third-place finish in the highly competitive Central Division. Throughout the season, the Grizzlies showcased a fast, physical style of play while demonstrating the resilience and consistency that has become synonymous with the organization. Rochester advanced to the Central Division Semifinals, where they defeated the Wausau Cyclones to earn a fourth consecutive trip to the Central Division Finals. The Grizzlies battled the rival West Bend Power in a tightly contested three-game series, ultimately falling just one victory short of advancing to the Fraser Cup Championship. Beyond the success on the ice, the organization remained committed to its primary mission of developing student-athletes for the next level. Following the season, 14 Grizzlies players earned college hockey commitments, from NCAA D1, down to ACHA D3, and even a European Collegiate Commitment. Thus continuing Rochester’s tradition of advancing players to NCAA and ACHA programs across the countr(ies)y while reinforcing the club’s reputation as one of junior hockey’s premier development organizations.
2025-2026 Season – CENTRAL DIVISION RECAPTURED
The 2025–26 Rochester Grizzlies authored one of the most memorable seasons in franchise history, combining record-breaking performances with a historic postseason run. Rochester finished the regular season as one of the NA3HL’s elite teams, setting multiple franchise records while establishing new benchmarks for wins, offensive production, attendance, and fan engagement. Powered by a veteran core and emerging young talent, the Grizzlies consistently ranked among the league’s top clubs and earned home-ice advantage for the Central Division Playoffs.
The Grizzlies elevated their play when it mattered most, embarking on a remarkable playoff run that included a dramatic victory over the rival West Bend Power in the Central Division Finals to capture the organization’s first Central Division Championship since joining the NA3HL. The championship earned Rochester its first Fraser Cup Tournament appearance in four years, where the Grizzlies advanced to Semifinal Saturday where they would fall in overtime to the eventual league Champions. Along the way, the team further cemented its reputation as one of junior hockey’s premier organizations, drawing record crowds and creating unforgettable moments for players, fans, and the Rochester community.
The season’s success extended well beyond the standings. Individual Grizzlies shattered franchise records, earned league recognition, and continued the organization’s commitment to player advancement. During and following the season, 8 Rochester Grizzlies players committed to NCAA and ACHA collegiate hockey programs, underscoring the club’s mission of developing student-athletes for success at the next level. The combination of championship-caliber hockey, record-setting achievements, and a program-best number of college commitments made the 2025–26 campaign the most successful season in Rochester Grizzlies history.