Saturday, May 9, 2009 —
NAHL announces NAPHL programs
The North American Hockey League announced today the 20 programs accepted into its new North American Prospects Hockey League (NAPHL), which will compete at the Tier I Midget AAA level.
- Boston Jr. Rangers
- Carolina Jr. Hurricanes
- Chadders Hockey
- Florida Panther Alliance
- Green Bay
- Indianapolis AAA
- Lansing Capitals AAA
- Marquette Electricians
- Milwaukee Jr. Admirals
- Nevada Stars
- Omaha AAA Hockey Club
- Phantom Fireworks
- Pikes Peak Miners
- S2
- San Jose Jr. Sharks
- So Cal Titans
- St. Louis Selects
- Team Maryland
- Texas Tornado
- Thunder Hockey
Comprised of five events in which the 36 teams will compete at the Midget Major (20 teams) and Midget Minor (16 teams) levels for a league championship, the North American Prospects Hockey League season will culminate with an NAPHL Top Prospects Tournament at the NAHL's 2010 Robertson Cup Championship Tournament in late April.
The dates and sites of the five NAPHL events are: September 17-20, 2009 (Blaine, Minn.); October 9-12, 2009 (St. Louis, Mo., or Chicago, Ill.); November 12-15, 2009 (Rochester, N.Y.); January 15-18, 2010 (Ann Arbor, Mich.); and February 12-15, 2010 (San Jose, Calif.).
The five USA Hockey-sanctioned NAPHL events utilize the USA Hockey Officiating Development Program and are designed to maximize the exposure of all the Midget participants through the NAHL's high-profile recruiting events, which attract hundreds of college, junior and professional scouts.
Orchestrated by the NAHL's experienced and professional staff that makes player promotion a priority, the NAPHL provides an organized and competitive experience with an unrivaled scouting presence guaranteed to benefit all of the participating student-athletes and programs.
Those teams not accepted into the NAPHL may still apply for the Open Division at the NAHL Showcase Tournament, scheduled for September 17-20, 2009 at the Schwan Super Rink in Blaine, Minn.
The North American Hockey League, the only USA Hockey-sanctioned Tier II Junior A league boasting 18 teams from across the country, prides itself on the social maturity and skill development of student-athletes ages 16-20 with aspirations of advancing to collegiate and/or professional hockey.