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NPHL

The North Peace Hockey League is a Canadian men's Senior ice hockey league based in Northern Alberta and North Eastern British Columbia. It is not professional but the teams and players play at a reasonably high calibre. The NPHL draws several hundred fans to each game, with many games being sold out each night.

With a history that dates back to the early 1950s, the NPHL is the has the distinction of being one of the longest continually running senior hockey league currently in existence in western Canada. The league was down to two teams (Peace River Stampeders and High Prairie Regals) in the early 1970s, when it played an interlocking schedule with the South Peace Hockey League.

The Formation of the NPHL[]

(PEACE RIVER - 1953) - It was in the fall of 1953 when steps were taken to form the North Peace Hockey League. On Oct. 14, 1953, the first official steps in forming the NPHL were taken when a meeting was held in Peace River. Representatives from McLennan, High Prairie and Peace River attended the meeting. Fairview and Falher were not present but indicated they were interested in joining the new league. People attending the meeting agreed to meet again Oct. 25 to further discuss plans for the new league. On Oct. 25, 1953 the NPHL was officially formed. Only representatives from Falher and Peace River attended the meeting but McLennan sent a letter saying they were definitely interested. Lee J. Boyd of Peace River was elected president with T. Dentinger of Falher vice-president and W.B. Skead of Peace River as secretary-treasurer. Final plans for the league were postponed until a meeting Nov. 8. On Nov. 1, 1953, the Wheat Belt Hockey League met in Fairview. The host Monarchs officials informed the Wheat Belt Hockey League they were leaving for the new NPHL. That left Grande Prairie, Dawson Creek and Hythe in the WBHL. Immediately, the WBHL decided to ask the NPHL to consider interlocking. Previously, the idea was discussed with teams attempting to form the NPHL. On Nov. 12, 1953, the NPHL met in Peace River and agreed on a four-team league comprised of Fairview, Falher, McLennan Peace River. Teams paid a $50 entry fee and a $200 performance bond. The NPHL agreed on an 18-game schedule that included interlocking games with the WBHL. On Nov. 18, 1953, the NPHL met and agreed on an interlocking schedule with the WBHL. On Wednesday, Dec. 16, 1953 the NPHL opened it season with the Peace River Stampeders losing 2-0 to the hometown Fairview Monarchs and the visiting Falher Pirates losing to the McLennan Red Wings 4-0. On Saturday, March 20, 1954 the Fairview Monarchs defeated the visiting Peace River Stampeders 4-3 to win the first NPHL championship. Captain Larry Harmata accepts a scroll as the Victory Cup does not arrive in Fairview in time for the presentation. The Victory Cup was not named for a team claiming victory in the league, rather it was named after the Peace River Victory Hotel, who sponsored the trophy. One week later in an interview, league president Lee J. Boyd says he is pleased with the NPHL's inaugural season. "The league is here to stay," he is quoted in the Peace River Record-Gazette. "All we have to do is stick together."

source: http://web.archive.org/web/20070303054400/http://www.nphlhockey.com/history.html

Prior to the start of the 2014-15 season the league has started to openly question its future on the league's website in the following post:

"A number of teams did not sign up to the NPHL this year, mainly due to player shortages. There are some in the league who are now fearing the NPHL could be nearing its end if the trend continues. Once a team misses a season, it becomes more difficult to make a comeback the next year. In the case of the Dawson Creek Canucks, last season they were having difficulty getting players. This year when long term players Adam Lonkin and Chris Stevens (some of the most dedicated players on the team) decided to retire from hockey, the rest followed suit, including some of executive who won't be back in the future. So this year, the league is down to 7 teams from 10 last year, but that still might change. Rumours have now surfaced that one of the teams that has signed up is talking about backing out because of lack of players. If that happens, it means a new schedule will have to be done. Stay tuned."  

The High Prairie Regals dropped out after playing for 56 straight seasons in the league and the Dawson Creek Canucks sat out their second straight season in 2014-15. Fortunately, the Dawson Creek Canucks and High Prairie Regals returned for the 2015-16 season.

An application for an expansion team for the 2019-20 season was received from La Crete, Alberta.  The application was rejected in August of 2019 citing travel distance.

In October 2020, team managers met and decided to put the 2020-21 hockey season on hold due to the health restrictions in place in Alberta and BC. Another meeting will take place again in December to review the situation. Teams in the NPHL that had plans to participate this year included the Grande Prairie Athletics, Fort St. John Flyers, Dawson Creek Canucks, Grimshaw Huskies, Manning Comets and Falher Pirates. It appears the High Prairier Regals will not return again for this season.

With the unfortunate passing of long time NPHL Commissioner Jack McEvoy, changes in the league's executive were necessary. In September 2022, Michael Mercredi was elected as League Commissioner, with Treena Pasinchuk elected as Vice Commissioner. In October 2022, the league announced that the NPHL would return for the 2022-2023 season with 8 teams in 2 divisions., playing a 20 game regular season.

West Division - Dawson Creek Canucks, Grande Prairie Athletics, Spirit River Rangers and Fort St John Flyers.

East Division - Manning Comets, Falher Pirates, Valleyview Jets and Grimshaw Huskies.


Teams 2022-2023[]

Team Centre Arena
Dawson Creek Sr. Canucks Dawson Creek, British Columbia EnCana Events Centre
Fort St. John Flyers Fort St. John, British Columbia North Peace Arena
Falher Pirates Falher, Alberta Falher Arena
Grande Prairie Athletics Grande Prairie, Alberta Coca-Cola Centre
Grimshaw Huskies Grimshaw, Alberta Grimshaw Memorial Arena
Manning Comets Manning, Alberta Manning Sports Centre Arena
Spirit River Rangers Spirit River, Alberta MacLean Arena
Valleyview Jets Valleyview, Alberta Polar Palace Arena

Former Teams:

Seasons[]

Season Champion Season Champion Season Champion
1953-54 Fairview Monarchs 1954-55 Falher Pirates 1955-56 McLennan Red Wings
1956-57 McLennan Red Wings 1957-58 McLennan Red Wings 1958-59 High Prairie Regals
1959-60 High Prairie Regals 1960-61 Grimshaw Huskies 1961-62 Grimshaw Huskies
1962-63 Peace River Stampeders 1963-64 Peace River Stampeders 1964-65 Peace River Stampeders
1965-66 Peace River Stampeders 1966-67 Peace River Stampeders 1967-68 Peace River Stampeders
1968-69 Peace River Stampeders 1969-70 Fairview Elks 1970-71 Peace River Stampeders
1971-72 High Prairie Regals 1972-73 High Prairie Regals 1973-74 Grimshaw Huskies
1974-75 High Prairie Regals 1975-76 High Prairie Regals 1976-77 Grimshaw Huskies
1977-78 High Prairie Regals 1978-79 High Prairie Regals 1979-80 Grimshaw Huskies
1980-81 Falher Pirates 1981-82 Grimshaw Huskies 1982-83 High Prairie Regals
1983-84 High Prairie Regals 1984-85 High Prairie Regals 1985-86 High Prairie Regals
1986-87 Manning Comets 1987-88 Grimshaw Huskies 1988-89 High Prairie Regals
1989-90 Grimshaw Huskies 1990-91 Fairview Kings 1991-92 Grimshaw Huskies
1992-93 Peace River Stampeders 1993-94 Peace River Stampeders 1994-95 Grimshaw Huskies
1995-96 Grimshaw Huskies 1996-97 Grimshaw Huskies 1997-98 Spirit River Rangers
1998-99 Grimshaw Huskies 1999-00 Spirit River Rangers 2000-01 Spirit River Rangers
2001-02 Dawson Creek Canucks 2002-03 Dawson Creek Canucks 2003-04 Horse Lake Thunder
2004-05 Horse Lake Thunder 2005-06 Spirit River Rangers 2006-07 Peace River Stampeders
2007-08 Spirit River Rangers 2008-09 Fort St. John Flyers 2009-10 Grande Prairie Athletics
2010-11 Spirit River Rangers 2011-12 Falher Pirates 2012-13 Spirit River Rangers
2013-14 Spirit River Rangers 2014-15 Spirit River Rangers 2015-16 Spirit River Rangers
2016-17 Spirit River Rangers 2017-18 Fort St. John Flyers 2018-19 Grande Prairie Athletics
2019-20 Playoffs Cancelled 2020-21 Season Cancelled 2021-22 Season Cancelled
2022-23 Dawson Creek Canucks 2023-24 2024-25

Famous players[]

Former NHL superstar Theoren Fleury played a season with the Horse Lake Thunder in 2004. The 2004 Horse Lake roster also included former NHL tough guy Gino Odjick, bubble players Sasha Lakovic and Dody Wood. The Thunder had spent millions of dollars on a new arena, players and the team went on to win the championship that year in an attempt at winning the Allan Cup. The Thunder were defeated in the semi finals by a team from Thunder Bay. Former New York Rangers goalie and current St. Louis Blues president John Davidson played one season with the High Prairie Regals in the early 1970s.

Reg Bentley, one of the famous Bentleys of NHL fame was a player/coach for the High Prairie Regals for a couple years in the early 1960's. Roger Bellerive, who later spent a few years with the Portland Buckaroos of the old Western Professional Hockey League played for the Falher Pirates in the late 1950's. Former American Hockey League star, Fred Hilts played a few seasons for the Spirit River Rangers, who were then in the old South Peace Hockey League in the early 1960's.

Norm Skrudland, father of former NHL star Brian, starred with the Grimshaw Huskies in the early 1960's. Former San Jose Sharks property Todd Holt also spent time in the NPHL. As well, former NHL and AHL player Wade Campbell played in Grimshaw before and after his professional career.

Other NHL players to don an NPHL jersey include: Ed Beers, Howard Walker.


sources for championship teams:

External links[]


Canadian Senior Hockey (post-1971)
National/Regional Championships
Allan Cup (National AAA)
Patton Cup (Western Canada 71-91) - Bolton Cup (Eastern Canada 71-03)
McKenzie Cup (BC-AB) - Rathgaber Cup (SK-MB) - Atlantic Cup (2003-) (NB-NL-NS-PEI)
Provincial/Local Championships
Alberta - British Columbia - Manitoba - New Brunswick - Newfoundland and Labrador - Northern Ontario - Ontario Hockey Association - Ottawa - Quebec (Also Eastern

Region Allan Cup Qualifier) - Saskatchewan - Thunder Bay/Gary Cook Cup/Hockey Northwestern Ontario

Current Leagues
Alberta: Chinook Hockey League (1955-2019, 2022-) East Central Senior Hockey League (2012-) - North Central Hockey League (1995-) - North Peace Hockey League (also in BC, 1953-) - Ranchland Senior Hockey League (1974-) - Sask/Alta Senior Hockey League (also in SK, 1964-)


British Columbia: Central Interior Senior Hockey League (1997-) - North Peace Hockey League (also in Alberta, 1953-)

Manitoba: South Eastern Manitoba Hockey League (1952-) - Tiger Hills Hockey League (1983-)

New Brunswick: Beausejour Senior Hockey League (2019-) - Ligue de hockey Vallée-Appalaches (1991-) - Southern Senior Hockey League (2021- )

Newfoundland and Labrador: Avalon East Senior Hockey League (1967-) - Central Newfoundland Hockey League (Intermediate) (2009-) - Central/West Senior Hockey League (2014-2019; 2023-)

Nova Scotia: Presently have no Senior Level leagues in the province
(one team from Springhill plays in New Brunswick based Beausejour Senior Hockey League)

Ontario: Allan Cup Hockey (1991-) - Eastern Ontario Super Hockey League (2019-) - Ontario Elite Hockey League (2023-) - Western Ontario Super Hockey League (2021-)

Prince Edward Island: West Prince Senior Hockey League (2016-)

Quebec: Circuit Senior KRTB (2021-) - Ligue Regionale de Hockey (2016-) - Ligue de Hockey Cote-Sud (2012-) - Ligue de Hockey Senior du Lac-au-Fleuve (2017-) - Ligue de Hockey Senior Élite (2005-) - Ligue de Hockey Senior A du Lac St-Louis (2022-) - Ligue de Hockey Senior AA de la Cote-Nord (2007-2014; 2022-) - Ligue de Hockey Senior AAA du Quebec (2017-) - Ligue de Hockey Sénior Desjardins de l'Est-du-Québec (2018-)

Saskatchewan: Big Six Senior Hockey League (1959-) - Cross Roads Hockey League (2022-) - Long Lake Senior Hockey League (1978-) - Notekeu Senior Hockey League (1958-) - Qu'Appelle Valley Highway Hockey League (2021-) - Sask/Alta Senior Hockey League (also in Alberta, 1964-) - Saskatchewan Prairie Senior Hockey League (2010-) - Sask East Hockey League (2020-) - Sask Valley Hockey League (1965-) - Sask West Senior Hockey League (2000-) - Treaty Six Hockey League (2004-2007; 2018-) - Twin Rivers Senior Hockey League (2016-) - Wheatland Senior Hockey League (1995-) - White Mud Senior Hockey League (1995-)

Northwest Territories: Presently have no Senior Level leagues in the territory

Nunavut: Iqaluit Senior Hockey League (2009-) - Rankin Inlet Senior Men's Hockey League (2008-)

Yukon: Presently have no Senior Level leagues in the territory
(teams in the Yukon have traditionally played under sanction of BC Hockey)

Defunct Leagues
Alberta: Alberta Major Intermediate League (1976-1987) - Beaver Hockey League (1969-1983) - Big Six Services Hockey League (1970-1975) - Allan Cup Hockey West/Chinook Hockey League (1969-2020) - Battle River Hockey League (1992-2015) - Central Peace Hockey League (1986-1997) - Edmonton Central Intermediate Hockey League (1960-1976) - Edmonton Services Hockey League (1973-1974) - Henry Viney Hockey League (1972-1982) - Highwood Hockey League (1967-1972) - North Star Intermediate Hockey League (1963-1978) - Prairie Intermediate Hockey League (1973-1979) - Prairie Senior Hockey League (also in SK, 1971-1972) - South Peace Hockey League (1954-1988)


British Columbia: British Columbia Senior Hockey League (1979-1981) - Cariboo Hockey League (1955-1985) - Fraser Valley Hockey League (1971-1974) - Monashee Senior Hockey League (1970-1977) - Monashee AA Senior Hockey League (1985-1994) - North Okanagan Hockey League (1977-1982) - Northwest Hockey League (1975-1978) - Pacific Coast Amateur Hockey League (1957-1986) - Pacific Northwest Hockey League (1965-1982) - Richmond Intermediate Hockey League (1965-1975) - South Island Big Six Hockey League (1974-1980) - Vancouver Island Hockey League (1961-1975) - Victoria Intermediate Hockey League (1963-1974) - Western Amateur Hockey League (1966-1973) - Western International Hockey League (1946-1988) - West Coast Senior AA Hockey League (2016-2018)

Manitoba: Canadian Central Hockey League (1972-1974) - Carillon Senior Hockey League (2004-2022) - Central Amateur Senior Hockey League (1975-1989) - East Interlake Hockey League (1970-1976) - Eastman Hockey League (1998-2000) - Hanover Tache Hockey League (1958-2005) - Manitoba Aboriginal Senior Hockey League (2000-2001) - Manitoba Assiniboine Hockey League (1974-1983) - Manitoba Eastern Hockey League (1969-1977) - Manitoba Intermediate Hockey League (1971-1972) - Manitoba Northeast Senior Hockey League (1970-1989) - Manitoba Senior Hockey League (2008-2016) - North Central Hockey League (1958-2022) - Northern Intermediate Hockey League (1977-1978) - Nor-West Hockey League (1996-1997) - North West Senior Hockey League (2016-2017) - Parkland Hockey League (1964-1979) - Pembina Valley Hockey League (1970-1980) - Red River Valley Intermediate Hockey League (1980-1981) - Souris Valley Hockey League (1970-1987) - South Interlake Hockey League (1987-2008) - South Central Intermediate Hockey League (1960-1982) - SouthWest Hockey League (1956-2009) - West Interlake Hockey League (1954-1986) - Winnipeg Metro Hockey League (1973-1980) - Winnipeg Senior A Hockey League (1995-1997) - Yellowhead Intermediate Hockey League (1986-1989)

Maritimes: Maritime Senior Hockey League (1991-1992) - Northumberland Dairy Senior AAA Hockey League (1995-1998)

New Brunswick: Central New Brunswick Intermediate Hockey League (1973-1977) - Ligue de Hockey Senior Acadie-Chaleur (2016-2022) - Miramichi Senior Hockey League (2000-2004) - Eastern Senior Hockey League (2001-2010) - New Brunswick Chaleur Hockey League (1991-1995) - New Brunswick Eastern Hockey League (1972-1973) - New Brunswick Senior Hockey League (1968-1991) - North East Senior Hockey League (2011-2018) - North Shore Senior Hockey League (1939-1978) - North Shore Senior Hockey League (1996-2010) - South Central Intermediate C Hockey League (1975-1978) - Southern New Brunswick Senior Hockey League (1962-2010) - St. John Valley Hockey League (1966-1978)

Newfoundland and Labrador: Bay St. George Senior Hockey League (1966-1984) - Corner Brook Intermediate Hockey League (1966-1984) - Deer Lake Intermediate Hockey League (1976-1985) - East Coast Senior Hockey League (2017-2020) - Newfoundland Senior Hockey League (2011-2014) - Newfoundland West Coast Senior Hockey League (2001-2011; 2016-2023) - West Newfoundland Intermediate A Hockey League (1973-1974)

Nova Scotia: Nova Scotia Senior Hockey League (1982-1996) - Tri-County Senior Hockey League (1973-1988)

Ontario: Carleton-Russell Intermediate B Hockey League (1976-1980) - Central Ontario Hockey League (1970-1983) - Central Senior B Hockey League (1986-1989) - Cyclone Intermediate D Hockey League (1977-1984) - Eastern Ontario Senior Hockey League (2003-2008) - Georgian Bay Intermediate A Hockey League (1968-1972; 1978-1980) - HNO Senior League (2009-2012) - Major Intermediate A Hockey League (1980-1983) - Niagara Intermediate A Hockey League (1965-1979) - North Oxford Men's Hockey League (1959-2012) - Northern Senior A Hockey League (1983-1992) - ACH Senior AA G-League (2021) - OHA Intermediate C Hockey League (1973-1986) - OHA Senior A League (1890-1979) - OHA Senior A Hockey League (1972-1987) - Ottawa District Senior Hockey League (1968-1977) - Ontario Senior AA Hockey League (1983-1988) - Seaway Intermediate C Hockey League (1973-1976; 1978-1984) - Seaway-Western Intermediate C Hockey League (1976-1978) - Seaway-Cyclone Senior B Hockey League (1984-1990) - South Carleton Intermediate Hockey League (1970-1980) - Thunder Bay Hockey League (1980-1982) - Western Intermediate C Hockey League (1973-1976) - WOAA Senior AA Hockey League (1942-2023)

Quebec: Laval Senior A Hockey League (2013-2022) - Ligue Centrale de Hockey (LCH) (2000-2008) - Ligue Hockey de la Belle Province (1970-1973) - Ligue de Hockey Beauce Bellechase Frontenac (1999-2017) - Ligue de Hockey Semi-Contact de Lotbinière (2002-2006) - Ligue de Hockey Senior de la Mauricie (1992-1996) - Ligue de Hockey Senior Majeur du Quebec (1979-85; 1994-96) - Ligue de Hockey Senior de l'Est du Quebec (2005-2010) - Ligue de hockey Senior des Îles de la Madeleine (1991-2005) - Ligue de Hockey Senior A de la Mauricie (2001-2017) - Ligue de Hockey Senior A Inter-Rives (2006-2007) - Ligue de Hockey Senior AA de l'Estrie (2001-2004) - Ligue de Hockey Senior AA LAB-BEC (2012-2013) - Ligue de Hockey Senior AA du Saguenay-Lac-St-Jean (2002-2003) - Ligue de Hockey Senior Bas-Saint-Laurent (1994-2005) - Ligue de Hockey Senior des Cantons-de-L'Est (2011-2015) - Ligue de hockey les Cotiers de la Gaspesie (2002-2008) - Ligue de Hockey Senior des Deux Rives (2002-2003) - Ligue de Hockey Senior Montreal Metropolitain (2003-2007) - Ligue de Hockey Senior Provinciale AA (2004-2006) - Ligue de Hockey Senior AA L.D.B. du Quebec (1979-2000) - Ligue de hockey Budweiser de 'est du Quebec (2011-2013) - Montreal Senior Hockey League (1977-1980) - Outaouais Hockey League (1973-1975) - Promutuel Senior Hockey League (1999-2007) - Republican Hockey League (also in NB, 1962-1987) - Quebec Metro Senior Hockey League (1989-1991) - Quebec-Portneuf Commercial Hockey League (1990-2004) - Quebec Senior AA Hockey League (2018-2021) - Quebec Senior North-East Hockey League (2003-2007)

Prince Edward Island: Island Community Senior Hockey League (2010-2013) - Prince Edward Island Senior Hockey League (1990-1991) - Prince Edward Island Senior Hockey League (2010-2011)

Saskatchewan: 39C Hockey League (1968-1983) - 5-40 Hockey League (1962-1984) - Beaver Lakes Hockey League (1986-2018) - Big V Senior Hockey League (1954-1977) - Blackstrap Hockey League (1972-1985) - Carrot River Valley Hockey League (1950-1982) - Central Saskatchewan Intermediate Hockey League (1986-1990) - Central Saskatchewan Senior Hockey League (1988-1995) - Coteau Hills Hockey League (1951-1995) - Fishing Lake Hockey League (1953-2015) - Fort Carlton Senior Hockey League (1971-2019) - Highway Hockey League (1965-2020) - Last Mountain Hockey League (1954-1978) - North Central Saskatchewan Senior Hockey League (1968-1972) - Northern Lakes Hockey League (1966-1976) - North Saskatchewan River Hockey League (1995-2015) - Pasquia Hockey League (1977-2009) - Potash Cutarm Hockey League (1963-1975) - Qu'Appelle Valley Hockey League (1960-2021) - Right Angle Hockey League (1962-1985) - River Lake Senior Hockey League (1997-2000) - Saskatchewan Intermediate A Hockey League (1979-1983) - Saskatchewan Treaty Hockey League (2021)- Soo Line Hockey League (1980-2000) - South Central Senior Hockey League (1983-1990) - South East Senior Hockey League (1971-1973) - South Saskatchewan River Hockey League (1958-1979) - Three Rivers Hockey League (1980-1987) - Triangle Hockey League (1965-2020) - Western Saskatchewan Intermediate AA Hockey League (1966-1974) - Whiska Creek Hockey League (1980's-90's) - Wild Duck Hockey League (1961-1980) - Wild Goose Hockey League (1954-2008) - Yellowhead Hockey League (1980-2000)

Yukon: See Whitehorse Huskies (1992-1993, 2009-2010, 2014-2017)

This page uses content from Wikipedia. The original article was at North Peace Hockey League. The list of authors can be seen in the page history. As with Ice Hockey Wiki, the text of Wikipedia is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike License 3.0 (Unported) (CC-BY-SA).


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