The North American Hockey League (NAHL) is a Tier II junior ice hockey league based in the United States. Sanctioned by USA Hockey, it acts as an alternative for those who would not or did not make the roster of a team in the Major Junior Canadian Hockey League (CHL) nor Tier I United States Hockey League (USHL). One of the oldest junior hockey leagues in the United States, the NAHL is headquartered in Addison, Texas.
The teams span the United States from Maine in the East to Alaska in the Northwest and to Texas in the South. The teams play a 59-game regular season, usually starting on the 2nd weekend in September and ending near mid-April (2020–21 season is exception, the season started in late 2020-early 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic). The Champions of each division (not regular season) will play in Blaine, MN at the Fogerty Arena and will compete for the Robertson Cup Champion.
Under USA Hockey Tier II sanctioning, NAHL teams do not charge players to play and also provide players with uniforms, team clothing and select equipment such as sticks, gloves and helmets. Players without local family live with billet families in their area and pay a monthly stipend that covers food and other costs. Unlike the Tier I United States Hockey League, there are no roster restrictions in the NAHL on overage players, which allows for the older players to gain extra NCAA exposure as well as teams to retain a veteran core. Teams are still bound to USA Hockey rules regarding import players, and presently each team is allowed to have four non-American players on their roster. Import players may also apply for an exemption from being counted as an import, but only if they have played hockey in the United States for four years prior.
From its beginning in 1975, the NAHL was primarily a 6–12-team league based in the Midwest, known as the Great Lakes Junior Hockey League and changed the name to the North American Hockey League in 1984. The league's all-time leading scorer is Ryan Fultz who tallied 246 points in four seasons. Other notable alumni from the NAHL include Pat LaFontaine, Mike Modano, Doug Weight, Pat Peake, Brian Rolston, Brian Holzinger, Brian Rafalski, Todd Marchant, John Scott, Connor Hellebuyck, and George Parros. In 2003, the league merged with the now defunct America West Hockey League to form a 19-team league.
On June 12, 2026, the NAHL announced it had added a Mountain Division to the league, consisting of five teams to begin play in the states of Colorado, Idaho, Montana and Utah for the 2026–27 season.
Teams Current teams The 2026–27 season has 36 teams playing in five divisions:
Division Team Location Arena Founded Joined CentralAberdeen Wings Aberdeen, South Dakota Odde Ice Center 2010Austin Bruins Austin, Minnesota Riverside Arena 2010Bismarck Bobcats Bismarck, North Dakota V.F.W. Sports Center 1997 2003Minot Minotauros Minot, North Dakota Maysa Arena 2011St. Cloud Norsemen St. Cloud, Minnesota St. Cloud Municipal Athletic Complex 2003*Watertown Shamrocks Watertown, South Dakota Prairie Lakes Ice Arena 2024 EastDanbury Jr. Hat Tricks Danbury, Connecticut Danbury Ice Arena 2010*Elmira Aviators Elmira, New York First Arena 2024Johnstown Tomahawks Johnstown, Pennsylvania Cambria County War Memorial Arena 1990*Maryland Black Bears Odenton, Maryland Piney Orchard Ice Arena 2018New Hampshire Mountain Kings Hooksett, New Hampshire Tri-Town Ice Arena 2023New Jersey Titans Middletown Township, New Jersey Middletown Ice World Arena 2005*Northeast Generals Canton, Massachusetts Canton Ice House 2016Philadelphia Rebels Washington Township, New Jersey Hollydell Ice Arena 2008* MidwestAnchorage Wolverines Anchorage, Alaska Sullivan Arena 2021Fairbanks Ice Dogs Fairbanks, Alaska Big Dipper Ice Arena 1997 2003Janesville Jets Janesville, Wisconsin Woodman's Center 2009Kenai River Brown Bears Soldotna, Alaska Soldotna Regional Sports Complex 2007Minnesota Mallards Forest Lake, Minnesota Forest Lake Sports Center 2024Minnesota Wilderness Cloquet, Minnesota Northwoods Credit Union Arena 2000 2013Springfield Jr. Blues Springfield, Illinois Nelson Center 1993Wisconsin Windigo Brookfield, Wisconsin The Ponds of Brookfield 2010* SouthAmarillo Wranglers Amarillo, Texas Amarillo Civic Center 2003*Corpus Christi IceRays Corpus Christi, Texas Hilliard Center 2001*El Paso Rhinos El Paso, Texas El Paso County Events Center 2006 2021Houston Bulls Richmond, Texas Deep South Ice & Sports Center 2008*Lone Star Brahmas North Richland Hills, Texas NYTEX Sports Centre 1999*New Mexico Ice Wolves Albuquerque, New Mexico Outpost Ice Arenas 2019Odessa Jackalopes Odessa, Texas Ector County Coliseum 2008*Oklahoma Warriors Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Blazers Ice Center 2020*Shreveport Mudbugs Shreveport, Louisiana Hirsch Memorial Coliseum 2016 MountainBillings Cattle Punchers Billings, Montana Signal Peak Energy Arena 2026Grand Junction River Hawks Grand Junction, Colorado River City Sportsplex 2025 2026Idaho Falls Spud Kings Idaho Falls, Idaho Mountain America Center 2022 2026Ogden Mustangs Ogden, Utah The Ice Sheet at Ogden 2009 2026Pueblo Peppers Pueblo, Colorado Pueblo Ice Arena 2005* Note: An asterisk (*) denotes a franchise relocation. See respective team articles from more information.
Past teams
Alaska Avalanche (Wasilla, Alaska, for 2006–2010; Palmer, Alaska, for 2010–2012; relocated to Johnstown, Pennsylvania, and renamed Johnstown Tomahawks) Albert Lea Thunder (Albert Lea, Minnesota; 2008–2010; relocated to Amarillo, Texas, and renamed Amarillo Bulls) Amarillo Bulls (Amarillo, Texas; 2010–2021; relocated to Mason City, Iowa, as the North Iowa Bulls) Aston Rebels (Aston, Pennsylvania; 2015–2017; was relocated and renamed to Philadelphia Rebels) Alexandria Blizzard (Alexandria, Minnesota; 2006–2012; relocated to Brookings, South Dakota, and renamed Brookings Blizzard) Alpena IceDiggers (Alpena, Michigan; 2005–2010; relocated to Corpus Christi, Texas, and renamed Corpus Christi IceRays) Billings Bulls (Billings, Montana; 2003–2006; joined the NorPac) Bloomfield Jets (Bloomfield, Michigan; 1987–90; relocated to Lakeland, Michigan, and renamed Lakeland Jets) Bozeman Icedogs (Bozeman, Montana; 2003–2006; joined the NorPac) Brookings Blizzard (Brookings, South Dakota; 2012–2019; relocated to St. Cloud, Minnesota as the St. Cloud Blizzard) Buffalo Jr. Sabres (Buffalo, New York; 1983–1986; later members of the OJHL) C & H Piping (Melvindale, Michigan; 1988–89; renamed Melvindale Blades) Capital Centre Pride (Lansing, Michigan; 2000–03) Central Texas Blackhawks (Belton, Texas; 2003–2005; renamed Central Texas Marshals for the 2004–05 season before ceasing operations at the end of the season) Chicago Cougars (Chicago, Illinois; 1986–87; folded midseason) Chicago Freeze (Chicago, Illinois; 1997–2003; folded due to "increased operation costs and low attendance") Chicago Hitmen (Chicago, Illinois; 2010–2012; announced it would not play the 2012–13 season on May 11, 2012) Chicago Patriots (Chicago, Illinois; 1986–87; folded midseason) Chicago Young Americans (Chicago, Illinois; 1987–1989) Chippewa Steel (Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin; 2018–2026; sold and relocated to Pueblo, Colorado, renamed as Pueblo Peppers) Cleveland Jr. Barons (1st) (Brooklyn, Ohio; 1976–1979; withdrew from the league prior to the 1979–80 GLJHL season) Cleveland Jr. Barons (2nd) (Parma, Ohio; 1990–2006; relocated to Columbus, Ohio, renamed Ohio Junior Blue Jackets and joined the USHL) Colorado Grit (Greeley, Colorado; (2023-25); given inactive status by league governors for the 2025-26 season, did not return for 2026-27 season) Coulee Region Chill (La Crosse, Wisconsin; 2010–2018; sold and relocated to Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, as the Chippewa Steel) Danville Wings (Danville, Illinois, 1994–2003; joined the USHL) Dawson Creek Rage (Dawson Creek, British Columbia; 2010–2012; ceased operations after 2011–12 season; franchise sold to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights in 2015) Dayton Gems (Dayton, Ohio; 2003–04; dissolved after 21 games, roster dispersed amongst remaining teams) Dearborn Heights Nationals (Dearborn Heights, Michigan; 1994–1996; formerly Michigan Nationals; relocated to St. Louis, Missouri and renamed St. Louis Sting) Dearborn Magic (Dearborn, Michigan; 1990–91; renamed Michigan Nationals) Detroit Compuware Ambassadors (Detroit, Michigan; 1984–2003) Detroit Falcons (Fraser, Michigan; 1986–87; formerly St. Clair Shores Falcons) Detroit Freeze (Fraser, Michigan; 1992–1997; moved to Chicago and renamed the Chicago Freeze) Detroit Jr. Wings (Detroit, Michigan; 1975–1983 GLJHL, 1987–1992 NAHL; Junior Red Wings moved to the OHL; replaced by the Detroit Freeze) Detroit Little Caesars (Detroit, Michigan; 1975–76; only played in the inaugural season of the GLJHL) Fargo-Moorhead Jets (Fargo, North Dakota; 2003–2008; ceased operations after 2007-2008 season) Fernie Ghostriders (Fernie, British Columbia; 2003–04; franchise rights were sold to a Kalamazoo, Michigan based group in 2003; joined the KIJHL) Fraser Flags (Fraser, Michigan; 1981–1984) Fraser Highlanders (Fraser, Michigan; 1976–1980) Fresno Monsters (Fresno, California; 2010–2013; relocated to Wenatchee, Washington, and renamed Wenatchee Wild) Gaylord Grizzlies (Gaylord, Michigan; 1995–1998; formerly Saginaw Gears until relocating in December 1995; relocated to Grand Rapids, Michigan, and renamed Grand Rapids Bearcats) Grand Rapids Bearcats (Grand Rapids, Michigan; 1998–2000; renamed Grand Rapids Rockets during the 1999–2000 season when the league took over the franchise; relocated to Lansing and renamed Capital Centre Pride) Helena Bighorns (Helena, Montana; 2003–2006; joined the NorPac) Hennessey Engineers (Plymouth, Michigan; 1985–1987) Indianapolis Jr. Ice (Indianapolis, Indiana; 1989–1995) Jamestown Ironmen (Jamestown, New York; 2011–2013; ceased operations after 2012–13 season due to ownership issues) Jamestown Rebels (Jamestown, New York; 2018–2022; moved from Philadelphia after one season, returned once a new arena had been secured) Kalamazoo Jr. Wings (Kalamazoo, Michigan; 1989–1994; relocated to Danville, Illinois, and renamed Danville Wings) Kalamazoo Jr. K-Wings (Kalamazoo, Michigan; 2011–2013; ceased operations after 2012–13 season) Keystone Ice Miners (Connellsville, Pennsylvania; 2014–15; ceased operations after one season in Pennsylvania) Kansas City Scouts (Kansas City, Kansas; 2020–21; relocated during COVID-19 pandemic. Never played a game before relocating and becoming the Amarillo Wranglers) Lakeland Jets (Lakeland, Michigan; 1990–1995; relocated to Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, and renamed Soo Indians) Lone Star Cavalry (North Richland Hills, Texas; 2003–04; relocated to Santa Fe, New Mexico, and renamed Santa Fe RoadRunners) Lytes Rustlers (1990–91; Traveling team composed of west coast prospects played for one season) Mahoning Valley Phantoms (Boardman, Ohio; 2005–2009; relocated to Youngstown, Ohio, moved to the USHL, and renamed Youngstown Phantoms) Maine Nordiques (Lewiston and Auburn, Maine; 2019–2026) Marquette Rangers (Marquette, Michigan; 2006–2010; relocated to Flint, Michigan, and renamed Michigan Warriors) Melvindale Blades (Melvindale, Michigan; 1989–90) Melvindale Lakers (Melvindale, Michigan; 1982–83) Michigan Nationals (Dearborn, Michigan; 1991–1994; renamed Dearborn Heights Nationals) Michigan Warriors (Flint, Michigan; 2010–2015; suspended operations after being displaced by the OHL's Flint Firebirds) Minnesota Blizzard (Alexandria, Minnesota; 2003–2006; renamed Alexandria Blizzard) Minnesota Magicians (Richfield, Minnesota; 2013–2022; relocated to Eagle River, Wisconsin, renamed Wisconsin Windigo) Motor City Machine (Detroit, Michigan; 2008–09; renamed Motor City Metal Jackets) Motor City Metal Jackets (Detroit, Michigan, 2009–2011; relocated to Jamestown, New York, renamed Jamestown Ironmen).