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The NAHL
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 2007-08 campaign marks the
32nd 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 17 active members in three divisions
and regularly receives inquiries about expanding elsewhere.
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 maximize 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 web site 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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