The Johnstown Tomahawks will kick off the 2025 NAHL Showcase with a showdown versus the New Mexico Ice Wolves on Thursday, September 24th, in Blaine, MN. Puck drop will be at 7:00PM ET/6:00PM CT and can be streamed on NATV.
A LOOK BACK AT LAST SEASON
Thursday night’s contest will mark the first time these two teams have matched up in the history of both organizations. The Ice Wolves entered the North American Hockey League in 2019, while the Tomahawks are currently in year 13 in their history.
Both teams were pretty successful last season as they both made the playoffs, but were both also bounced in Round 1. New Mexico was beaten in the five game division semifinals by the eventual NAHL runner up Lone Star Brahmas by a series score of 3-1. The Tomahawks were ultimately outlasted by their East Division rival Rochester Jr. Americans in Game 5 of an extremely entertaining series.
2025-2026 KEYS TO THE MATCHUP
- Tomahawks first year Head Coach Adam Houli begins his tenure with new team captain Nick Jarmain, who currently sits atop the entire NAHL in goal scoring with 5 through four games, as they look to bring the first Robertson Cup to Johnstown.
- The Ice Wolves are also under a change of the guard, with 1st year Head Coach Kyle McKenzie taking over the bench. Ice Wolves forward Andy Earl sits right on Jarmain’s heels for 2nd in the NAHL in goal scoring with 4 in his six games played.
- The Tomahawks have gotten off to a blistering start in 2025 with a 3-1-0 record and scoring 18 goals (4.5 goals/game) in those four games while surrendering 12.
- The Ice Wolves are off to a strong start as well but have played two more games than the Tomahawks. They will take the ice Thursday with a record of 3-2-1 and after playing their first showcase game on Wednesday morning, will have a slight advantage heading into the early parts of the game strictly because the one game under their belts. New Mexico has scored 20 goals (3.3 goals/game) in the first six games while giving up 17.
The history of the NAHL Showcase hasn’t been kind to the Tomahawks as of recent memory, sporting a mere 1-8 record over the last three trips to Blaine. Although early in the season, with what we’ve seen from this Tomahawks team thus far, they will hope to change their struggling ways at one of the most exciting and unique experiences on the entire NAHL annual schedule.
BY: DREW P. PFEIL