The North American Hockey League was founded in 1975 when the Michigan Junior League and Wolverine Junior League formed the Great Lakes Junior Hockey League. In 1984 the name changed to the North American Junior Hockey League, and was later modified to the current North American Hockey League.
The 2005-06 campaign marks the 30th season of NAHL competition, making it the oldest Junior A hockey league in the U.S.
It is also the largest. From modest beginnings -- the league that had only three teams at a few points in its early history -- the NAHL has blossomed. Through the years, teams like the Paddock Pool Saints, Detroit Jr. Wings, Redford Royals, Detroit Compuware, Niagara Scenics, Kalamazoo Jr. Wings and Indianapolis Jr. Ice formed the backbone of a solid league that grew to legendary status in the annals of U.S. junior hockey.
The NAHL has grown as hockey has grown, from that Detroit-based league in the upper Midwest to one which today spans west to Alaska, east to Ohio, and south to Texas and New Mexico. The League currently has 20 active members in four divisions and regularly receives inquiries about expanding elsewhere.
North Division- Alpena IceDiggers, Cleveland Junior Barons, Traverse City North Stars, USA National Team Development Program and Youngstown Phantoms
South Division - Santa Fe Roadrunners, Springfield Junior Blues, Texarkana Bandits, Texas Tornado and Wichita Falls Wildcats
Central Division - Bismarck Bobcats, Fargo-Moorhead Jets, Minnesota Blizzard, North Iowa Outlaws, Southern Minnesota Express
West Division - Billings Bulls, Bozeman IceDogs, Fairbanks Ice Dogs, Helena Bighorns, Wasilla Spirit
NAHL competition helps players make the transition from midget and high school hockey to college hockey by creating an environment that is highly competitive, encourages skill development and provides time for physical growth and maturity.
Teams play against their own division and against other divisions to minimize exposure and enhance competition. Most games a scheduled on weekends to allow students to pursue their educations. Each team plays a 58-game regular season schedule which runs from September to April, with exhibition games and league playoff games providing additional contests. Showcase events and the annual Robertson Cup Championship Tournament provide teams a chance to measure themselves in front of numerous collegiate and professional scouts and coaches from across North America to ensure top visibility for all NAHL players.
The NAHL is a Junior A league affiliated with USA Hockey and its primary goal is to enhance the development of its players through top-quality coaching, extensive practice time and a rigorous game schedule. The league is committed to providing these developmental opportunities in conjunction with a commitment to academic support. The league's schedule and playoff schedule is largely designed around weekend travel to minimize school conflicts.
North American Hockey League games are easily accessible to college and professional talent evaluators. The league games, showcases and playoffs are consistently and heavily scouted by NHL teams, NHL Central Scouting and scores of college programs from around the country.
In addition, the NAHL takes an active role in promoting its players by distributing monthly progress reports to NHL Central Scouting and all major college programs.
The league's website publishes the most authoritative team and league news and statistics available.
In addition, NAHL games are broadcast locally and webcast everywhere, covered by daily papers, featured in regional and national newspapers, various hockey publications, specialty websites, and other media outlets.
The NAHL offices are relocated in Frisco, Texas, a Dallas suburb, in the midst of one of the fastest growing major corporate environments in the United States. This allows the league to embark on a major program to attract sponsors and other marketing deals with some of America's largest corporations.
With growth on and off the ice, the future is bright indeed for the North American Hockey League.
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