ISAAC WASHBURN NAMED HEAD COACH AND GENERAL MANAGER FOR THE NEW MEXICO ICE WOLVES NA3HL TEAM
(Albuquerque, NM) Thursday, May 29, 2025 — The New Mexico Ice Wolves North American 3 Hockey League (NA3HL) team today named Isaac Washburn as the team’s Head Coach and General Manager. He becomes the second head coach and general manager in team history and takes the reins from Darren Banks. Washburn brings experience from every level of hockey, including youth travel, high school, AAA and professional, that includes more than six years of experience working in the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL). Washburn’s coaching experience has earned him multiple awards at various levels of hockey.
“We’re thrilled to have Isaac join our organization as he brings a depth of coaching experience that took him through youth and professional hockey with the ECHL, and much in between,” said Stan E. Hubbard, Owner of the New Mexico Ice Wolves and Outpost Ice Arenas. “Isaac will lead our NA3HL team to continued success, help our players reach their full potential and fit in nicely with our organization and community. We welcome Coach Isaac Washburn to Albuquerque!”
“I’m very excited to join the New Mexico Ice Wolves Organization and lead the NA3HL team. It’s an honor to join this great organization and the excellent culture that Stan Hubbard has cultivated,” said Isaac Washburn, Head Coach and General Manager of the NM Ice Wolves NA3HL team. “I look forward to building on the foundation to provide an environment and culture that supports both the hockey and personal development of each player to help them achieve their goals on and off the ice.”
“We are all very excited to have Isaac join our coaching staff here in Albuquerque and lead the NA3HL NM Ice Wolves,” said Ben Danford, Director of Hockey at Outpost Ice Arenas. “His understanding of the game and ability to develop players on and off the ice will fit great in our program. We look forward to him building on previous successes and his efforts to continue to grow hockey in New Mexico.”
A native of Michigan, Washburn began his hockey coaching career as the Video Coordinator and Hockey Operations Assistant at the ECHL Kalamazoo Wings from 2012-2018 managing all team video operations while working closely with the coaching staff and players. From 2013-2018 Washburn also worked as Head Coach of the Grand Valley State University Roller Hockey Program in Allendale, MI reaching the Final Four of the National Tournament in back-to-back seasons. Washburn continued his career in Northern Michigan as Head Coach of the 18U Kalkaska Rhinos High School Prep team, leading the team to a 22-11-2 record and achieving Tier 1 status for the within the district for the first time in program history which earned him Coach of the Year honors by the Kalkaska Area Hockey Association. Washburn’s work towards advancing the game of hockey also earned him Coach of the Year at Grand Valley State University, the West Michigan Sports Commission’s Volunteer of the Year honors and the National Collegiate Roller Hockey Association’s Outstanding Contribution award. Washburn coached 18U AA and 16U A teams for the Northern Michigan United program and, most recently served as Head Coach of the New Hampshire Mountain Kings 15u AAA Hockey team leading a dynamic mix of players from four countries and nine states
About the NA3HL
Heading into its 16th season in 2025-26, the North American 3 Hockey League (NA3HL) is the only USA Hockey-sanctioned Tier III Junior league and serves as one of the top training grounds in the country by providing the best coaching, exposure and developmental vehicles available for student-athletes in its classification. The primary mission of the NA3HL, which is managed organizationally by the North American Hockey League (NAHL), is to provide a structured developmental environment for student-athletes who have aspirations of playing in Tier I or II junior hockey and eventually the NCAA or American College Hockey Association. For more information, visit www.na3hl.com