In the summer of 2012, Donnie Roberts sold the original Wisconsin Wilderness, two-time SIJHL Bill Salonen Cup champions, to parties who moved the team to Cloquet, Minnesota.

Built from the success of the original Minnesota Wilderness, they won their third straight title and the Dudley Hewitt Cup as Central Canada Junior A champions.

During this time, the Wilderness announced that the team was leaving the SIJHL and joining the North American Hockey League.

[2] The next night was the second game of a weekend doubleheader with the Ice Dogs, as the Wilderness avenged their previous loss and picked up their first franchise win with a 6–3 triumph.

[3] After their first season returning to the SIJHL, the Spooner Ice House closed its doors, leaving the Wisconsin Wilderness without an arena and therefore they folded.