The Minnesota Wilderness NA3HL (North American Tier 3 Hockey League) team has added 11 players over the last few weeks to its roster for its first ever season. The Wilderness made two selections in the NA3HL Draft held April 24 and followed that with nine player tenders.
The first player added to the franchise was Cloquet-Esko-Carlton forward Ryan Jones. The 18-year-old Jones was the 49th overall selection (2nd round) of the NA3HL draft. Jones played 23 games for the CEC Lumberjacks in his senior season of 2023-24, recording six goals and six assists.
Forward Mark Denoyer of Hastings, MN, was the Wilderness’ second draft pick. Coming to the team as tenders are four Duluthians: Christian Houser, Wyatt Peterson, John Scott and Noah Teng. Cooper Ellena of Cloquet, Brady Johnson of St. Michael, MN (who played high school hockey in Brainerd), Nicholas Maffeo of Austin, TX, Lance Murray of Eagan, MN, and Jay Svaren of Rosemount, were also tendered.
Draft picks:
| Name | Position | DOB | Shoots | Previous team |
| Ryan Jones (2nd round 49th overall) | F | 3/22/2006 | Left | CEC Lumberjacks |
| Mark Denoyer (3rd round, 73rd overall) | F | 9/16/2005 | Left | Oakmoor Academy AAA |
Tenders:
| Name | Position | DOB | Shoots | Previous team |
| Cooper Ellena | D | 11/3/2005 | Right | CEC Lumberjacks |
| Christian Houser | LW/D | 3/18/2006 | Left | Duluth East HS |
| Brady Johnson | F | 8/28/2005 | Left | Brainerd HS |
| Nicholas Maffeo | F | 12/4/2005 | Right | Phoenix Jr. Coyotes AAA |
| Lance Murray | D | 12/29/2005 | – | Eagan High School |
| Wyatt Peterson | F | 5/22/2005 | Right | Duluth East HS |
| John Scott | F | 6/9/2007 | Left | Duluth Denfeld HS |
| Jay Svaren | G | 1/26/2005 | Left (catches) | Oakmoor Academy AAA |
| Noah Teng | F | 4/2/2006 | Right | Duluth East HS |
The nine tenders and two draft picks will be invited to the Wilderness main tryout camp, which will also include players seeking a spot on the NAHL team. That camp will be held July 14-18 in Cloquet.
The NA3HL Wilderness roster is also expected to include players who spent the 2023-24 season with the Minnesota Loons. The Loon franchise was rebranded as the Wilderness after being purchased by Wilderness owner Barry Bohman after its 23-24 season had concluded.
The Wilderness NA3HL squad is expected to begin play in September at a location in northeastern Minnesota that has yet to be announced.