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see also North American Hockey League (1973–1977) (Former minor hockey league) and Ligue Nord-Américaine de Hockey (based out of Quebec
North American Hockey League
NAHL
Sport Ice Hockey
Founded 1975
CEO Mark Frankenfeld
No. of teams 23
Country(ies) Flag of the United States United States
Most recent champion(s) Oklahoma Warriors (1st championship)
Most championship(s) Compuware Ambassadors (11)
Official website www.nahl.com

The North American Hockey League (NAHL) was founded in 1975 as the North American Hockey League. The league was renamed the North American Junior Hockey League in 1984. The league dropped the word "junior" from its title in 1992. The league merged defunct America West Hockey League merged in 2003 to form a 21-team Junior A Tier II league, sanctioned by USA Hockey. The NAHL currently acts as an alternative to the United States Hockey League (USHL). In 2010 the league reached an agreement with the Central States Hockey League for the CSHL to become a feeder league to the NAHL and the CSHL was renamed the North American 3 Hockey League.

The league currently consists of four divisions with a total of 24 teams. The teams span the United States from Massachusetts in the east to Alaska in the West. It also spans from Alaska in the north to Texas in the south. The teams play a 60-game regular season, starting in mid-September and ending in early April. Until the 2012-13 season the winner of each division will joined a host team of the Robertson Cup Championship Tournament, a five team round-robin event. The format was changed to a format where the highest remaining seed play the lowest remaining seed and the 2nd highest seed plays the 3rd highest seed in the semifinals and the semifinal winners meet in the final for the Robertson Cup (named after Chuck Robertson, former owner of the Paddock Pools Saints)[1].

In the spring of 2015 Lewiston, Maine was approved as a location for a new team for the 2015-16 NAHL Season however, the ownership group withdrew the application citing a lack of time to get prepared for the season. The group stated that they are intending to re-apply for membership for the 2016-17 season, however no action was taken for 2016-17. The Brooklyn Aviators of the United States Premier Hockey League were working on purchasing the rights to the Flint, Michigan-based Michigan Warriors franchise who were left homeless as a result of the sale of the Compuware Arena in Plymouth Township, Michigan which had the USA Hockey National Team Development Program relocate to Plymouth and the subsequent relocation of the Plymouth Whalers of the Ontario Hockey League to Flint, this transaction did not come to fruition either.

On the afternoon of June 1, 2015 The Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees Twitter page posted the following: "Barring a last minute save this afternoon will mark the final day of operation for the NAHL RGV Killer Bees. Thanks to one and ALL!!". The website thejuniorhockeynews.com posted the story stating that the team was on its way to Aston, PA, which is the present home of the Eastern Hockey League's Philadelphia Little Flyers organization. The team was later saved in a tweet early evening on June 5th stated that the Killer Bees will be back during a 48 hour extension on finding local ownership. The team was apparently unable to find a local owner as it was [1] on June 8th that the organization was moving to Aston, PA and were taking the name Aston Rebels.

On October 22, 2015 a press conference was held in Shreveport, Louisiana to announce the addition of the Shreveport Mudbugs. The previous Mudbugs teams was founded in 1997 and played in the Central Hockey League until folding in 2011. The Hirsch Colisuem is undergoing a $1.5 million upgrade and will once again have an ice surface. The new team will commence play with the start of the 2016-17 season.

On April 1, 2016 the league announced the addition of the Northeast Generals organization for the 2016-17 season. The organization had been accepted as a member of the North American 3 Eastern Hockey League for the 2015-16 season with a team that was based out of Canton, Massachusetts. The NAHL team will be based out of the New England Sports Village in Attleboro, MA. The team also announced plans to play some games at Walter Brown Arena on the campus of Boston University and Matthews Arena on the campus of Northeastern University. The NA3EHL (now NA3HL) team will continue to operate.

On April 30, 2018 the league announced that the Coulee Region Chill were sold and would be relocated about 90 miles (145km) north to Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin playing out of the Chippewa Area Ice Arena.  The team is being renamed to the Chippewa Steel.  In a related move the La Crosse Freeze of the North American 3 Hockey League will have their membership transferred to nearby Onalaska, Wisconsin and would become the Coulee Region Chill to replace the NAHL team in that city.[2]

The Philadelphia Rebels announced the team was relocating to Jamestown, New York for the 2018-19 season.[3]

On February 28, 2019 the announced the addition of two separate expansion teams that are schedule to join the league for the 2019-20 NAHL season, the Albuquerque based New Mexico Ice Wolves[4] and the Lewiston, Maine based Maine Nordiques[5].

On June 3, 2019 the league's Board of Governors announced approval of the relocation of the Brookings Blizzard to St. Cloud, Minnesota for the 2019-20 season.  The team will be renamed the St. Cloud Blizzard and will be based out of the Dave Torre Arena in the St. Cloud Municipal Athletic Complex.[6]

On October 15, 2019 the league announced the addition of a team to be based out of the Kay Yeager Coliseum in Wichita Falls, Texas for the 2020-21 season.[7] The team was later announced as being named the Wichita Falls Warriors.[8]

On May 11, 2020 the NAHL announced it had approved the relocation of the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights to Danbury, Connecticut for the 2020-21 season. The team will be named the Danbury Jr. Hat Tricks and play out of the Danbury Ice Arena.[9][10]

After being announced as relocating to the greater Kansas City area in late February of 2020[11], the Topeka Pilots are renamed the Kansas City Scouts on May 12th. The team will be based out of the the Kansas City Ice Center in Shawnee, Kansas.[12][13]

Teams[]

Future and Dormant Teams[]

Past teams (Including GLJHL years)[]

Team Centre Arena Tenure Notes
Detroit Jr. Wings Detroit, Michigan 1975-1983 go on hiatus for 1983-84; return for 1984-85 as Detroit Compuware Ambassadors
Detroit Little Caesars Detroit, Michigan 1975-1976 withdrew from junior level competion but continue at youth levels
Oakland Chiefs Oakland, Michigan 1975-1976 become Wayne Chiefs
Paddock Pool Saints Ecorse, Michigan 1975-1984 fold
Port Huron Fogcutters Port Huron, Michigan McMorran Place 1975-1976 fold November 28, 1975
Cleveland Jr. Barons Brooklyn, Ohio Brooklyn Indoor Recreation Center 1976-1979 fold
Fraser Highlanders Fraser, Michigan Fraser Hockeyland 1976-1980 fold
Wayne Chiefs Wayne, Michigan Wayne Ice Arena 1976-1980 fold
Redford Royals Redford, Michigan Redford Arena 1978-1984 fold
Fraser Flags Fraser, Michigan Fraser Hockeyland 1981-1984 fold
Waterford Lakers Waterford, Michigan Lakeland Ice Arena 1981-1982 become Melvindale Lakers
Melvindale Lakers Melvindale, Michigan Melvindale Ice Arena 1982-1983 fold
St. Clair Falcons St. Clair Shores, Michigan St. Clair Shores Civic Arena 1983-1987 fold
Buffalo Jr. Sabres West Seneca, New York West Seneca Recreation Center 1984-1986 sit out 1986-87 season; return as Niagara Scenic
Detroit Compuware Ambassadors (NAHL) Oak Park, Michigan,
Plymouth, Michigan
Oak Park Ice Arena 1994-1996
Compuware Sports Arena 1996-2003
1984-2003 fold
Hennessy Engineers Plymouth, Michigan Oak Park Ice Arena 1985-1987 become Redford Royals
Chicago Cougars (NAHL) 1986-1987 fold during season
Chicago Patriots 1986-1987 fold during season
Detroit Falcons (NAHL) Fraser, Michigan Fraser Hockeyland 1986-1987 fold
Bloomfield Jets Bloomfield, Michigan 1987-1990 relocated to Lakeland, Michigan; renamed Lakeland Jets
Chicago Young Americans 1987-1990 fold
Detroit Jr. Wings Fraser, Michigan Fraser Hockeyland 1987-1992 renamed Detroit Freeze
Niagara Scenic West Seneca, New York West Seneca Recreation Center 1987-1994 join Empire Junior Hockey League as Buffalo Lightning
Redford Royals Redford, Michigan Redford Arena 1987-1989 renamed NACE
C & H Piping Melvindale, Michigan Melvindale Ice Arena 1988-1989 renamed Melvindale Blades
Western Michigan Wolves Kalamazoo, Michigan Wings West 1988-1989 renamed Kalamazoo Jr. Wings
Indianapolis Jr. Ice Indianapolis, Indiana Pan American Arena 1989-1995 fold
Kalamazoo Jr. Wings Kalamazoo, Michigan Wings West 1989-1994 relocated to Danville, Illinois renamed Danville Wings
Melvindale Blades Melvindale, Michigan Melvindale Ice Arena 1989-1990 fold
NACE Plymouth, Michigan Compuware Arena 1989-1990 fold
Dearborn Magic Dearborn, Michigan Dearborn Ice Skating Center 1990-1991 renamed Michigan Nationals
Lakeland Jets Waterford, Michigan Lakeland Ice Arena 1990-1995 relocated to Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan; renamed Soo Indians
Lytes Rustlers N/A - Travel team N/A - Travel team 1990-1991 traveling team made up of players from US West Coast
Michigan Nationals Dearborn Heights, Michigan Canfield Ice Arena 1991-1994 renamed Dearborn Heights Nationals
Saginaw Gears (NAHL) Saginaw, Michigan Saginaw Bay Ice Arena 1991-1995 relocated  in December of 1995 to Gaylord, Michigan; renamed Gaylord Grizzlies
Detroit Freeze Fraser, Michigan Great Lakes Sports City Superior Arena 1992-1997 relocated to Chicago; renamed Chicago Freeze
Cleveland Jr. Barons Parma, Ohio Barons Ice Arena 1993-2006 join USHL as Ohio Jr. Blue Jackets
Springfield Jr. Blues Springfield, Illinois Nelson Center 1993-present
Danville Wings Danville, Illinois David S. Palmer Arena 1994-1996 moved to USHL
Dearborn Heights Nationals Dearborn Heights, Michigan Canfield Ice Arena 1994-1996 relocated to St. Louis; become St. Louis Sting
Gaylord Grizzlies Gaylord, Michigan Ostego County Sportsplex 1995-1998 relocated to Grand Rapids; renamed Grand Rapids Rockets
Soo Indians Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan Big Bear Ice Arena 1995-2005 fold
St. Louis Sting Chesterfield, Missouri U.S. Ice Sports Complex 1996-2001 moved to Springfield, Missouri; renamed St. Louis Bandits
Chicago Freeze Geneva, Illinois Fox Valley Ice Arena 1997-2003 fold
USA Hockey National Team Development Program Ann Arbor, Michigan Ann Arbor Ice Cube 1997-2009 join USHL
Texas Tornado Frisco, Texas Dr Pepper Arena 1998-2008 sit out 2008-09 season due to arena renovations
Grand Rapids Bearcats Grand Rapids, Michigan Delta Plex Arena 1999-1999 renamed Grand Rapids Rockets during season
Rochester Junior Americans Rochester, New York ESL Sports Centre 1999-2000 withdrew
Grand Rapids Rockets Grand Rapids, Michigan Delta Plex Arena 1999-2000 moved to Lansing, Michigan; renamed Capital Centre Pride
Capital Centre Pride Dimondale, Michigan The Summit Sports and Ice Complex 2000-2003 fold
Pittsburgh Forge Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Island Sports Center 2001-2003 relocated to Toledo, Ohio; renamed Toledo IceDiggers
Springfield Spirit Springfield, Missouri Jordan Valley Ice Park 2001-2005 relocated to Wasilla, Alaska; renamed Wasilla Spirit
Billings Bulls Billings, Montana Centennial Ice Arena 2003-2006 join Northern Pacific Hockey League
Bismarck Bobcats Bismarck, North Dakota V.F.W. Sports Center 2003-present
Bozeman Icedogs Bozeman, Montana Haynes Pavilion 2003-2006 join Northern Pacific Hockey League
Central Texas Blackhawks Belton, Texas Bell County Expo Center 2003-2004 renamed Central Texas Marshals
Dayton Gems (NAHL) Dayton, Ohio Hara Arena 2003-2004 disolved after 21 games
Fairbanks Ice Dogs Fairbanks, Alaska Big Dipper Ice Arena 2003-present
Fargo-Moorhead Jets Fargo, North Dakota John E. Carlson Coliseum 2003-2008 go dormant when Fargo Force starts play in USHL
Fernie Ghostriders Fernie, British Columbia Fernie Memorial Arena 2003-2004 join Kootenay International Junior Hockey League
Helena Bighorns Helena, Montana Helena Ice Arena 2003-2006 join Northern Pacific Hockey League
Lone Star Cavalry North Richland Hills, Texas Blue Line Ice Center 2003-2004 relocated to Santa Fe, New Mexico; renamed Santa Fe RoadRunners
Minnesota Blizzard Alexandria, Minnesota Runestone Community Center 2003-2006 renamed Alexandria Blizzard
Texarkana Bandits Texarkana, Texas Four States Arena 2003-2006 relocated to St. Louis; renamed St. Louis Bandits
Toledo IceDiggers Toledo, Ohio Team Toledo Ice House 2003-2005 relocated to Alpena, Michigan; renamed Alpena Ice Diggers
Wichita Falls Rustlers Wichita Falls, Texas Kay Yeager Coliseum 2003-2004 renamed Wichita Falls Wildcats
Youngstown Phantoms Boardman, Ohio Boardman Ice Zone 2003-2005 renamed Mahoning Valley Phantoms
Central Texas Marshals Belton, Texas Bell County Expo Center 2004-2005 fold
Santa Fe RoadRunners Santa Fe, New Mexico Genoveva Chavez Community Center 2004-2007 relcoated to Topeka, Kansas; renamed Topeka RoadRunners
Wichita Falls Wildcats Wichita Falls, Texas Kay Yeager Coliseum 2004-2017 take hiatus for 2017-18 season; then fold during that period
Alpena IceDiggers Alpena, Michigan Northern Lights Arena 2005-2010 relocated to Corpus Christi, Texas; renamed Corpus Christi Rayz
Mahoning Valley Phantoms Boardman, Ohio Boardman, Ohio 2005-2009 relocated to Covelli Centre in Youngstown, Ohio and join USHL as Youngstown Phantoms
North Iowa Outlaws Mason City, Iowa North Iowa Ice Arena 2005-2010 relocated to Onalaska, Wisconsin; renamed Coulee Region Chill
Southern Minnesota Express Owatonna, Minnesota Four Seasons Centre 2005-2008 relocated to Wyandotte, Michigan; renamed Motor City Machine
Traverse City North Stars Traverse City, Michigan Centre Ice Arena 2005-2012 relocated to Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan; renamed Soo Eagles
Wasilla Spirit Wasilla, Alaska Curtis D. Menard Memorial Sports Center 2005-2006 renamed Alaska Avalanche
Alaska Avalanche Wasilla, Alaska Curtis D. Menard Memorial Sports Center 2006-2012 relocated to Johnstown, Pennsylvania; renamed Johnstown Tomahawks
Alexandria Blizzard Alexandria, Minnesota Runestone Community Center 2006-2012 relocated to Brookings, South Dakota; renamed Brookings Blizzard
Marquette Rangers Marquette, Michigan Lakeview Arena 2006-2010 relocated to Flint, Michigan; renamed Michigan Warriors
St. Louis Bandits Chesterfield, Missouri Hardee's Iceplex
(known as Summit Center 2006-2008)
2006-2012 suspend operations; franchise rights used to form Cloquet, Minnesota based Minnesota Wilderness
Topeka RoadRunners Topeka, Kansas Landon Arena 2007-2018 Renamed Topeka Pilots
Kenai River Brown Bears Soldotna, Alaska Soldotna Sports Center 2007-present
Albert Lea Thunder Albert Lea, Minnesota Albert Lea City Arena 2008-2010 relocated to Amarillo, Texas; renamed Amarillo Bulls
Motor City Machine Wyandotte, Michigan Yack Arena 2008-2009 renamed Motor City Metal Jackets
Owatonna Express Owatonna, Minnesota Four Seasons Centre 2008-2011 relocated to Odessa, Texas; renamed Odessa Jackalopes
Wenatchee Wild Wenatchee, Washington Town Toyota Center 2008-2013 relocated to Hidalgo, Texas; renamed Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees (NAHL). replaced in Wenatchee by former Fresno Monsters
Janesville Jets Janesville, Wisconsin Janesville Ice Arena 2009-present
Motor City Metal Jackets Wyandotte, Michigan Yack Arena 2009-2010 relocated to Jamestown, New York; renamed Jamestown Ironmen
Texas Tornado Frisco, Texas Dr. Pepper Arena 2009-2013

renamed Fort Worth Brahmas when sold and relocated to North Richland Hills, Texas

Aberdeen Wings Aberdeen, South Dakota Odde Ice Center 2010-present
Amarillo Bulls Amarillo, Texas Amarillo Bulls 2010-2021 relocated to Mason City, Iowa as North Iowa Bulls
Austin Bruins Austin, Minnesota Riverside Arena 2010-present
Chicago Hitmen Rolling Meadows, Illinois West Meadows Ice Arena 2010-2013 sit out 2013-14 season then fold
Corpus Christi IceRays (2010–) Corpus Christi, Texas American Bank Center 2010-present
Coulee Region Chill Onalaska, Wisconsin Onalaska OmniCenter 2010-2018 relocated to Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin; renamed Chippewa Steel
Dawson Creek Rage Dawson Creek, British Columbia EnCana Events Centre 2010-2012 fold after aborted attempt to join Alberta Junior Hockey League
Fresno Monsters Fresno, California Selland Arena 2010-2013 relocated to Wenatchee, Washington become second incarntion of Wenatchee Wild
Michigan Warriors Flint, Michigan Perani Arena and Event Center 2010-2015 forced out of existence when Plymouth Whalers of Ontario Hockey League relocated to Flint
New Mexico Mustangs Rio Rancho, New Mexico Santa Ana Star Center 2010-2012  suspend operations; franchise rights transferred to Richfield, Minnesota; renamed Minnesota Magicians
Port Huron Fighting Falcons Port Huron, Michigan McMorran Place 2010-2014 relocated to Connellsville, Pennsylvania; renamed Keystone Ice Miners
Jamestown Ironmen Jamestown, New York Jamestown Savings Bank Ice Arena 2011-2013 suspend operations for 2013-14 season then fold
Minot Minotauros Minot, North Dakota Maysa Arena 2011-present
Kalamazoo Jr. K-Wings Kalamazoo, Michigan Wings West 2011-2013 ceased operations due to low attendance
Odessa Jackalopes Odessa, Texas Ector County Coliseum 2011-present
Brookings Blizzard Brookings, South Dakota Larson Ice Center 2012-2019 relocated to St. Cloud, Minnesota; renamed St. Cloud Blizzard
Johnstown Tomahawks Johnstown, Pennsylvania Cambria County War Memorial Arena 2012-present
Soo Eagles Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan Pullar Stadium 2012-2015

rejoin Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League; franchise rights to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights for 2015-16

Fort Worth Brahmas North Richland Hills, Texas NYTEX Sports Centre 2013-2013 renamed Lone Star Brahmas when sold
Laredo NAHL team Laredo, Texas Laredo Energy Arena 2013 conditional expansion team; fell through
Lone Star Brahmas Fort Worth, Texas NYTEX Sports Centre 2013-present
Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees (NAHL) Hidalgo, Texas State Farm Arena 2013-2015 relocated to Aston, Pennsylvania; renamed Aston Rebels
Wenatchee Wild Wenatchee, Washington Town Toyota Center 2013-2015 join British Columbia Hockey League
Minnesota Magicians Richfield, Minnesota Richfield Ice Arena 2013-present
Minnesota Wilderness Cloquet, Minnesota Northwoods Credit Union Arena 2013-present
Keystone Ice Miners Connellsville, Pennsylvania The Ice Mine 2014-2015 taken over by league in December 2014; franchise rights to New Jersey Junior Titans for 2015-16 season
Aston Rebels Aston, Pennsylvania IceWorks Skating Complex 2015-2017 renamed Jamestown Rebels
Lewiston, Maine NAHL expansion team Lewiston, Maine Androscoggin Bank Colisee 2015-2015 announced expansion team for 2015-16; then withdrew citing lack of prep time; then cease operations
New Jersey Junior Titans Middletown, New Jersey Middletown Ice World Arena 2015-present
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights Pittston, Pennsylvania Revolution Ice Center 2015-2020 relocated to Danbury, Connecticut as Danbury Jr. Hat Tricks
Northeast Generals Attleboro, Massachusetts New England Sports Village 2016-present
Shreveport Mudbugs (NAHL) Shreveport, Louisiana Hirsch Coliseum 2016-present
Philadelphia Rebels Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Penn Ice Rink at the Class of 1923 Arena 2017-2019 relocated to Jamestown, New York; renamed Jamestown Rebels
Chippewa Steel Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin Chippewa Area Ice Arena 2018-present
Topeka Pilots Topeka, Kansas Landon Arena 2018-2020 Relocated to Shawnee, Kansas as Kansas City Scouts (NAHL)
Jamestown Rebels Jamestown, New York Northwest Arena 2019-present
Maine Nordiques (NAHL) Lewiston, Maine Androscoggin Bank Colisée 2019-present
Maryland Black Bears Odenton, Maryland Piney Orchard Ice Arena 2019-present
New Mexico Ice Wolves Albuquerque, New Mexico Outpost Ice Arenas 2019-present
St. Cloud Blizzard St. Cloud, Minnesota St. Cloud Municipal Athletic Complex 2019-2020 renamed St. Cloud Norsemen
Wichita Falls Warriors Wichita Falls, Texas Kay Yeager Coliseum 2020-present
St. Cloud Norsemen St. Cloud, Minnesota St. Cloud Municipal Athletic Complex 2020-present
Danbury Jr. Hat Tricks Danbury, Connecticut Danbury Ice Arena 2020-present
Kansas City Scouts (NAHL) Shawnee, Kansas Kansas City Ice Center 2020-2020 go inactive for 2020-21; sold and relocated to Amarillo, Texas as Amarillo Wranglers (NAHL) for 2022-23 season.
Anchorage Wolverines Anchorage, Alaska Sullivan Arena 2021-
El Paso Rhinos El Paso, Texas Sierra Providence Event Center 2022- Join from Western States Hockey League, Announced for 2021-22 but deferred to 2022-23 due to COVID-16 and other logistical issues
Amarillo Wranglers (NAHL) Amarillo, Texas Amarillo Civic Center 2022-

League changes[]

2006–2007 season: Bozeman Icedogs, Billings Bulls, and Helena left the league for the Northern Pacific Hockey League. Cleveland Jr. Barons were granted inactive status for the season. Wasilla Spirit changed name to Alaska Avalanche. Minnesota Blizzard changed name to Alexandria Blizzard. Texarkana Bandits moved to Chesterfield, Missouri and changed name to St. Louis Bandits. Marquette Rangers were added to the league.

2007–2008 season: Santa Fe Roadrunners moved to Topeka, Kansas. The Topeka Roadrunners now play at Landon Arena. The Kenai River Brown Bears started playing in the league.

2008-2009 season: The Southern Minnesota Express moved to Detroit and changed their name to the Motor City Machine.[14] However, the Express' home city of Owatonna was granted another NAHL team for 2008-09, named the Owatonna Express. [15]. The Express are joined by another new Minnesota NAHL franschise, the Albert Lea Thunder. [16] The Texas Tornado franchise will go dark for a year as they await renovations on their arena. Wenatchee, Washington has been awarded an expansion franchise for the 2008-09 season. [17] The Fargo-Moorhead Jets are approved for dormancy. .[18]

2009-2010 season: The Janesville Jets are awarded an expansion franchise. [19] The Mahoning Valley Phantoms leave the league for the USHL. [20] The USNTDP also leave the league. [21] The Texas Tornado return to the league after taking a year off while their home arena was undergoing renovations. [22] The Motor City franchise's new ownership changes the team's nickname from Machine to Metal Jackets. [23]

2010-2011 season: The NAHL Board of Governors accepted membership of several new teams to play this season in the league. The Fresno Monsters are awarded an expansion franchise. The Monsters played in the Tier III A Western States Hockey League before getting switched over to the North American Hockey League for the 2010-2011 season. They will play at the Selland Arena in Fresno, California. The Corpus Christi IceRays relocated from Alpena, Michigan. They will play in the South Division at the American Bank Center in Corpus Christi, Texas. The Chicago Hitmen joined the North Division and will play starting this season at West Meadows Ice Arena in Rolling Meadows, Illinois. The Marquette Rangers moved to Flint, Michigan and changed their name to Michigan Warriors. The Michigan Warriors will play in the North Division at the Perani Arena and Event Center. Port Huron joined the North Division and will play starting this season at McMorran Place in Port Huron, Michigan. The Coulee Region Chill joined the Central Division and will play at Onalaska OmniCenter in Onalaska, Wisconsin. The Aberdeen Wings joined the Central Division and will play at the Odde Ice Center in Aberdeen, South Dakota. The Austin Bruins joined the Central Division and will play at the Riverside Arena in Austin, Minnesota. The Dawson Creek Rage joined the West Division and will play at EnCana Events Centre in Dawson Creek, British Columbia. The Amarillo Bulls joined the South Division and will play at Amarillo Civic Center in Amarillo, Texas. The New Mexico Mustangs joined the South Division and will play at Santa Ana Star Center in Rio Rancho, New Mexico.

2011-12 season: The Motor City Metal Jackets relocated to Jamestown, New York and are renamed the Jamestown Ironmen. The Owatonna Express relocate to Odessa, Texas and are renamed the Odessa Jackalopes replacing the CHL team.

2012-13 season: The New Mexico Mustangs sit out the season. The Traverse City North Stars were sold and relocated to Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan and were renamed the Soo Eagles.  The Alaska Avalanche were sold and moved to Johnstown, Pennsylvania and were renamed the Johnstown Tomahawks. The Alexandria Blizzard relocate to Brookings, South Dakota and are renamed the Brookings Blizzard.  The St. Louis Bandits suspend operations.  The Dawson Creek Rage folded after a failed attempt to join the Alberta Junior Hockey League.  The Chicago Hitmen originally annouce they will sit out the season but they fold on May 11, 2012.

2013-14 season: The Wenatchee Wild relocated to Hidalgo, Texas and are renamed the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees and are replaced in Wenatchee by the Fresno Monsters who take over the Wild name.  The Texas Tornado are renamed the Fort Worth Brahmas and then the Lone Star Brahmas when the sale of the franchise is completed.  The Kalamazoo Jr. K-Wings ceased operations. The Jamestown Ironmen go inactive for the season (they would fold prior to the 2014-15 season). The St. Louis Bandits franchise is transferred to Cloquet, Minnesota, where the team becomes known as the Minnesota Wilderness.  An expansion team is awarded to Richfield, Minnesota that becomes known as the Minnesota Magicians.

On May 9, 2014 it was announce the Port Huron Fighting Falcons were approved for relocation to Connellsville, Pennsylvania for the 2014-15 season.  The team will be known as the Keystone Ice Miners. The team would end up being taken over by the league in December 2014 and run until the end of the season when the franchise was folded

The Michigan Warriors were informed that there lease would not be renewed at the Perani Arena and Event Center in Flint, Michigan as the former Plymouth Whalers would move to the arena after their arena in Plymouth, Michigan is sold to USA Hockey with the intent of making the arena home to the USA Hockey National Team Development Program. On April 30, 2015 the Wenatchee Wild were approved by USA Hockey and Hockey Canada to transfer from the NAHL to the British Columbia Hockey League.  The Wild had been trying since 2013 to make this transfer but could not get approval from both national governing bodies.  The Wild organization motivation for the move was simply that the BCHL was a better fit travel wise, with the potential savings of tens of thousands of dollars just on travel expenses.

On May 1, 2015 the league announced the addition of the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights organization from the Eastern Hockey League.

For the 2016-17 season the league has announced the addition of the Shreveport Mudbugs (replacing a former Central Hockey League team that folded in 2011) and the Northeast Generals (based in Attleboro, Massachusetts, but will also play some home games in Boston at Walter Brown Arena (Boston University) and Matthews Arena (Northeastern University).  The Generals will continue to operate their franchise in the North American 3 Hockey League which was launched for the 2015-16 season.

For 2017-18 the Wichita Falls Wildcats go on hiatus. They would fold during the season. The Aston Rebels are renamed the Philadelphia Rebels when they relocate to the Penn Ice Rink at the Class of 1923 Arena.

For 2018-19 the Philadelphia Rebels relocated to Jamestown, New York and are renamed the Jamestown Rebels. The Coulee Region Chill are sold and moved to Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin where they become the Chippewa Steel. The league adds an expansion team based out of Odenton, Maryland to be named the Maryland Black Bears.

Robertson Cup winners[]

Robertson Cup

Robertson Cup

League Tie-Breakers[]

For playoff standings the league using the following steps for breaking ties:

  • 1. Most wins during the regular season
  • 2. Head-to-head record
  • 3. Head-to-head goal differential
  • 4. League play goal differential
  • 5. Coin flip

References[]

See Also[]

List of NAHL Seasons

External links[]

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