The North American Hockey League (NAHL) is one of the top junior

hockey ''Hockey'' is a family of List of stick sports, stick sports where two opposing teams use hockey sticks to propel a ball or disk into a goal. There are many types of hockey, and the individual sports vary in rules, numbers of players, apparel, ...

leagues in the

United States The United States of America (USA), also known as the United States (U.S.) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It is a federal republic of 50 U.S. state, states and a federal capital district, Washington, D.C. The 48 ...

and is in its 50th season of operation in 2024–25. It is the only Tier II junior league sanctioned by

USA Hockey USA Hockey is a national ice hockey organization in the United States. It is recognized by the International Olympic Committee and the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee as the governing body for organized ice hockey in the United S ...

, and 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 The Canadian Hockey League (CHL; , LCH) is an umbrella organization that represents the three Canada-based major junior ice hockey leagues. The CHL was founded in 1975 as the Canadian Major Junior Hockey League, and is composed of its three me ...

(CHL) nor Tier I

United States Hockey League The United States Hockey League (USHL) is the top junior ice hockey league sanctioned by USA Hockey. The league consists of 16 active teams located in the Midwestern United States and Great Plains, for players between the ages of 16 and 21. Th ...

(USHL). The NAHL is one of the oldest junior hockey leagues in the United States and is headquartered in

Addison, Texas Addison is an incorporated town in Dallas County, Texas, United States. The 2020 census population was 16,661. Addison is immediately north of Dallas. Addison and Flower Mound were the only two Texas municipalities labeled "towns" with a popul ...

. The teams span the United States from

Maine Maine ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the New England region of the United States, and the northeasternmost state in the Contiguous United States. It borders New Hampshire to the west, the Gulf of Maine to the southeast, and the Provinces and ...

in the East to

Alaska Alaska ( ) is a non-contiguous U.S. state on the northwest extremity of North America. Part of the Western United States region, it is one of the two non-contiguous U.S. states, alongside Hawaii. Alaska is also considered to be the north ...

in the Northwest and to

Texas Texas ( , ; or ) is the most populous U.S. state, state in the South Central United States, South Central region of the United States. It borders Louisiana to the east, Arkansas to the northeast, Oklahoma to the north, New Mexico to the we ...

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 COVID-19 pandemic (also known as the coronavirus pandemic and COVID pandemic), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), began with an disease outbreak, outbreak of COVID-19 in Wuhan, China, in December ...

). The Champions of each division(not regular season) will play in

Blaine, MN Blaine is a suburban city in Anoka and Ramsey counties in Minnesota, United States. Once a rural town, Blaine's population has increased significantly in the last 60 years. For several years, Blaine led the Twin Cities metro region in new home ...

at the Fogarty 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

, there are no roster restrictions in the NAHL on overage players, which allows for the older players to gain extra

NCAA The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) is a nonprofit organization that regulates College athletics in the United States, student athletics among about 1,100 schools in the United States, and Simon Fraser University, 1 in Canada. ...

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 Patrick Michael LaFontaine (born February 22, 1965) is an American former ice hockey center who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) and spent his entire playing career with the league's New York State-based teams. He was inducted into the ...

Mike Modano Michael Thomas Modano Jr. (; born June 7, 1970) is an American former professional ice hockey player. He played as a Centre (ice hockey), center and spent most of his career with the Minnesota North Stars/Dallas Stars franchise. He spent the fina ...

Doug Weight Douglas Daniel Weight (born January 21, 1971) is an American professional ice hockey coach, executive, and former player. He is also the former head coach and assistant General manager (ice hockey), general manager for the New York Islanders. Dur ...

, Pat Peake,

Brian Rolston Brian Lee Rolston (born February 21, 1973) is an American former professional ice hockey player who most recently played for the Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League (NHL). He won a Stanley Cup with the New Jersey Devils in 1995, and the ...

Brian Holzinger Brian Alan Holzinger (born October 10, 1972) is an American former professional ice hockey center. He played in the National Hockey League with the Buffalo Sabres, Tampa Bay Lightning, Pittsburgh Penguins and the Columbus Blue Jackets. Playing ...

Brian Rafalski Brian Christopher Rafalski (born September 28, 1973) is an American former professional ice hockey defenseman. He played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the New Jersey Devils and Detroit Red Wings, in the SM-liiga for HPK and HIFK, in ...

Todd Marchant Todd Michael Marchant (born August 12, 1973) is an American former professional ice hockey player who played 17 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL). He played nine seasons with the Edmonton Oilers and almost six seasons with the Anaheim ...

, John Scott,

Connor Hellebuyck Connor Charles Hellebuyck ( ; born May 19, 1993) is an American professional ice hockey goaltender for the Winnipeg Jets of the National Hockey League (NHL). After completing his high school career at Walled Lake Northern High School, Hellebuyc ...

, and

George Parros George James Parros (born December 29, 1979) is an American former professional ice hockey player who played nine seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL), who currently serves as the head of the NHL's Department of Player Safety, with the tit ...

. In 2003, the league merged with the now defunct

America West Hockey League The America West Hockey League (AWHL) was a Tier II Junior A ice hockey league. The AWHL was formed in 1992 to offer junior ice hockey to the Rocky Mountain region of USA Hockey. It originally was called the American Frontier Hockey League (AFHL), ...

to form a 19-team league.

Teams

Current teams

The 2024–25 season has 35 teams playing in four divisions:
''Note: An asterisk (*) denotes a franchise relocation. See respective team articles from more information.''

Past teams

* Alaska Avalanche (

Wasilla, Alaska Wasilla (Denaʼina language, Dena'ina: ''Benteh'') is a city in Matanuska-Susitna Borough, Alaska, United States, and the List of cities in Alaska, fourth-largest city in Alaska. It is located on the northern point of Cook Inlet in the Matanus ...

, for 2006–2010;

Palmer, Alaska Palmer is a city in and the county seat, borough seat of the Matanuska-Susitna Borough, Alaska, United States, located northeast of Anchorage on the Glenn Highway in the Matanuska-Susitna Valley, Matanuska Valley. It is the List of cities in A ...

, for 2010–2012; relocated to

Johnstown, Pennsylvania Johnstown is the largest city in Cambria County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 18,411 as of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census. Located east of Pittsburgh, it is the principal city of the Metropolitan statistical area ...

, and renamed

Johnstown Tomahawks The Johnstown Tomahawks are a junior ice hockey#Tier II, Tier II junior ice hockey team in the North American Hockey League's East Division. The team plays its home games at the Cambria County War Memorial Arena, 1st Summit Bank Arena at Cambria ...

) * Albert Lea Thunder (

Albert Lea, Minnesota Albert Lea ( ) is a city in Freeborn County, Minnesota, Freeborn County, in southern Minnesota. It is the county seat. Its population was 18,492 at the 2020 United States census, 2020 census. The city is at the junction of Interstates Intersta ...

; 2008–2010; relocated to

Amarillo, Texas Amarillo ( ; Spanish language, Spanish for "yellow") is a city in the U.S. state of Texas and the county seat of Potter County, Texas, Potter County, though most of the southern half of the city extends into Randall County, Texas, Randall County ...

, and renamed Amarillo Bulls) * Amarillo Bulls (

; 2010–2021; relocated to

Mason City, Iowa Mason City is a city and the county seat of Cerro Gordo County, Iowa, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa, United States. The population was 27,338 in the 2020 United States census, 2020 census. Mason City is known for its musical heritage, a significant ...

, as the

North Iowa Bulls The North Iowa Bulls are a Tier II junior ice hockey team in the North American Hockey League (NAHL). They play their home games at the Mason City Multipurpose Arena in Mason City, Iowa. The organization also operates a Tier III junior team in t ...

) * Aston Rebels (

Aston, Pennsylvania Aston Township is a township in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 16,791 at the 2020 census. History Aston was first settled in 1682 as a municipality and was incorporated as a township in 1688 (one of the first ...

; 2015–2017; was relocated and renamed to Philadelphia Rebels) *

Alexandria Blizzard The Alexandria Blizzard is a USA Hockey-sanctioned Tier III Junior ice hockey team playing in the North American 3 Hockey League (NA3HL). The team plays their home games at Runestone Community Center in Alexandria, Minnesota. The franchise is ...

(

Alexandria, Minnesota Alexandria is a city in and the county seat of Douglas County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 14,335 as of the 2020 census. I-94 passes through Alexandria, along with Minnesota State Highways 27 and 29. It is south of Lake ...

; 2006–2012; relocated to

Brookings, South Dakota Brookings is a city in and the county seat of Brookings County, South Dakota, Brookings County, South Dakota, United States. The population was 23,377 at the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, making it the List of cities in South Dakota, fo ...

, and renamed

Brookings Blizzard Brookings may refer to: Organizations * Brookings Institution, a nonprofit, nonpartisan public policy organization based in Washington, D.C. Places * Brookings, Oregon, USA * Brookings, South Dakota, USA * Brookings County, South Dakota ...

) *

Alpena IceDiggers Alpena may refer to: Places in the United States Michigan *Alpena, Michigan, the sole city in, and the county seat of Alpena County *Alpena County, Michigan, a county in the state of Michigan ** Alpena County Regional Airport, county-owned public ...

(

Alpena, Michigan Alpena ( ') is the only city and the county seat of Alpena County, Michigan, United States. The population was 10,197 at the 2020 census, making it the third most populated city in the Northern Michigan region, after Traverse City and Cadillac ...

; 2005–2010; relocated to

Corpus Christi, Texas Corpus Christi ( ; ) is a Gulf Coast of the United States, coastal city in the South Texas region of the U.S. state of Texas and the county seat and largest city of Nueces County, Texas, Nueces County with portions extending into Aransas County, T ...

, and renamed Corpus Christi IceRays) *

Billings Bulls The Billings Bulls were a junior ice hockey organization based in Billings, Montana. They most recently played home games at the 550-seat Centennial Ice Arena and due to the arena's small size, the Bulls frequently sold-out games. They previousl ...

(

Billings, Montana Billings is the most populous Lists of populated places in the United States, city in the U.S. state of Montana, with a population of 117,116 as of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census. Located in the south-central portion of the state, i ...

; 2003–2006; joined the

NorPac NORPAC is a bipartisan, multi-candidate political action committee (PAC) working to strengthen United States-Israel relations. NORPAC has spent the past 30 years building deep ties with candidates for the US House and Senate who advance the allia ...

) * Bloomfield Jets (

Bloomfield, Michigan Bloomfield Township is a charter township in Oakland County in the U.S. state of Michigan. A northern suburb of Detroit, Bloomfield Township is located roughly northwest of downtown Detroit. As of the 2020 census, the township had a population ...

; 1987–90; relocated to Lakeland, Michigan, and renamed Lakeland Jets) *

Bozeman Icedogs The Bozeman Icedogs are a Tier III Junior ice hockey team located in Bozeman, Montana. The team is a member of the North American 3 Hockey League (NA3HL). The Icedogs play home games at the Haynes Pavilion run by Gallatin Ice Foundation located ...

(

Bozeman, Montana Bozeman ( ) is a city in and the county seat of Gallatin County, Montana, United States. The 2020 United States census put Bozeman's population at 53,293, making it Montana's fourth-largest city. It is the principal city of the Bozeman, Montan ...

; 2003–2006; joined the

) *

(

; 2012–2019; relocated to

St. Cloud, Minnesota St. Cloud or Saint Cloud (; ) is a city in the U.S. state of Minnesota and the largest population center in the state's central region. The population was 68,881 at the 2020 census, making it Minnesota's 12th-largest city. St. Cloud is the c ...

as the St. Cloud Blizzard) * Buffalo Jr. Sabres (

Buffalo, New York Buffalo is a Administrative divisions of New York (state), city in the U.S. state of New York (state), New York and county seat of Erie County, New York, Erie County. It lies in Western New York at the eastern end of Lake Erie, at the head of ...

; 1983–1986; later members of the

OJHL The Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL) is a Junior A ice hockey league in Ontario, Canada. It is under the supervision of the Ontario Hockey Association (OHA) and the Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL). The league dates back to 1954 where i ...

) * C & H Piping (

Melvindale, Michigan Melvindale is a city in Wayne County of the U.S. state of Michigan. At the 2020 census, the city population was 12,851. History Melvindale began as the unincorporated settlement of Oakwood Heights in the northwestern part of Ecorse Township i ...

; 1988–89; renamed Melvindale Blades) *

Capital Centre Pride The Capital Centre Pride were a junior ice hockey team that played in the North American Hockey League. The team played out of the Summit at the Capital Centre in Dimondale, Michigan, a suburb of Lansing, Michigan. History Shortly after the co ...

(

Lansing, Michigan Lansing () is the List of capitals in the United States, capital city of the U.S. state of Michigan. The most populous city in Ingham County, Michigan, Ingham County, parts of the city extend into Eaton County, Michigan, Eaton County and nort ...

; 2000–03) *

Central Texas Blackhawks Central is an adjective usually referring to being in the center (disambiguation), center of some place or (mathematical) object. Central may also refer to: Directions and generalised locations * Central Africa, a region in the centre of Africa ...

(

Belton, Texas Belton is a city in the U.S. state of Texas. Belton is the county seat of Bell County, Texas, Bell County and is the fifth largest city in the Killeen – Temple – Fort Hood metropolitan area, Killeen-Temple metropolitan area. In 2020, the popu ...

; 2003–2005; renamed Central Texas Marshals for the 2004–05 season before ceasing operations at the end of the season) *

Chicago Cougars The Chicago Cougars were a professional ice hockey team in Chicago. They competed in the World Hockey Association from 1972 to 1975. The Cougars played their home games in the International Amphitheatre. History During the 1974 Avco Cup Finals ...

(

Chicago, Illinois Chicago is the List of municipalities in Illinois, most populous city in the U.S. state of Illinois and in the Midwestern United States. With a population of 2,746,388, as of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, it is the List of Unite ...

; 1986–87; folded midseason) *

Chicago Freeze The Chicago Freeze was a Tier II junior A ice hockey team in the North American Hockey League's West Division. The team was originally the Detroit Freeze until it relocated to a Chicago suburb of Geneva. The Chicago Freeze played out of the Fox ...

(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) * Cleveland Jr. Barons (1st) (

Brooklyn, Ohio Brooklyn is a city in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, United States. The population was 11,359 at the 2020 census. A suburb of Cleveland, it is a part of the Cleveland metropolitan area. History Brooklyn was home to the first seat belt law in 1966 an ...

; 1976–1979; withdrew from the league prior to the 1979–80 GLJHL season) * Cleveland Jr. Barons (2nd) (

Parma, Ohio Parma is a city in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, United States. It is a suburb south of Cleveland. The population was 81,146 at the 2020 United States census, 2020 census. Parma is the List of municipalities in Ohio, seventh-most populous city in Ohio, ...

; 1990–2006; relocated to

Columbus, Ohio Columbus (, ) is the List of capitals in the United States, capital and List of cities in Ohio, most populous city of the U.S. state of Ohio. With a 2020 United States census, 2020 census population of 905,748, it is the List of United States ...

, renamed Ohio Junior Blue Jackets and joined the

USHL The United States Hockey League (USHL) is the top junior ice hockey league sanctioned by USA Hockey. The league consists of 16 active teams located in the Midwestern United States and Great Plains, for players between the ages of 16 and 21. Th ...

) * Coulee Region Chill (

La Crosse, Wisconsin La Crosse ( ) is a city in La Crosse County, Wisconsin, United States, and its county seat. Positioned alongside the Mississippi River, La Crosse is the largest city on Wisconsin's western border. La Crosse's population was 52,680 as of the 202 ...

; 2010–2018; sold and relocated to

Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin Chippewa Falls () is a city located on the Chippewa River (Wisconsin), Chippewa River in Chippewa County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 14,731 in the 2020 United States census, 2020 census. Incorporated as a city in 1869, it is the ...

, as the Chippewa Steel) *

Danville Wings The Danville Wings were a Tier I ice hockey team that played the North American Hockey League from 1994 until 2003 when they moved to the United States Hockey League for the 2003–04 season. After that season, the team was relocated to Indianapol ...

(

Danville, Illinois Danville is a city in Vermilion County, Illinois, United States, and its county seat. The populations was 29,204 as of the 2020 census. It is the principal city of the Danville micropolitan area. History The area that is now Danville was on ...

, 1994–2003; joined the

) * Dawson Creek Rage (

Dawson Creek, British Columbia Dawson Creek is a city in northeastern British Columbia, Canada. The municipality of had a population of 12,978 in 2016. Dawson Creek derives its name from the creek of the same name that runs through the community. The creek was named after G ...

; 2010–2012; ceased operations after 2011–12 season; franchise sold to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights in 2015) *

Dayton Gems The Dayton Gems were a minor league ice hockey team based in Dayton, Ohio, and members of the International Hockey League from 1964 to 1977, and 1979–1980. The Gems were an expansion team assembled from various cast-offs and young players loo ...

(

Dayton, Ohio Dayton () is a city in Montgomery County, Ohio, United States, and its county seat. It is the List of cities in Ohio, sixth-most populous city in Ohio, with a population of 137,644 at the 2020 United States census, 2020 census. The Dayton metro ...

; 2003–04; dissolved after 21 games, roster dispersed amongst remaining teams) * Dearborn Heights Nationals (

Dearborn Heights, Michigan Dearborn Heights is a city in Wayne County in the U.S. state of Michigan. An inner-ring suburb of Detroit, Dearborn Heights is located about west of downtown Detroit. The city shares a small border with Detroit, and is considered a bedroom c ...

; 1994–1996; formerly Michigan Nationals; relocated to

St. Louis, Missouri St. Louis ( , sometimes referred to as St. Louis City, Saint Louis or STL) is an Independent city (United States), independent city in the U.S. state of Missouri. It lies near the confluence of the Mississippi River, Mississippi and the Miss ...

and renamed St. Louis Sting) * Dearborn Magic (

Dearborn, Michigan Dearborn is a city in Wayne County, Michigan, Wayne County in the U.S. state of Michigan. An inner-ring Metro Detroit, suburb of Detroit, Dearborn borders Detroit to the south and west, roughly west of downtown Detroit. In the 2020 United States ...

; 1990–91; renamed Michigan Nationals) * Detroit Compuware Ambassadors (

Detroit, Michigan Detroit ( , ) is the List of municipalities in Michigan, most populous city in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is situated on the bank of the Detroit River across from Windsor, Ontario. It had a population of 639,111 at the 2020 United State ...

; 1984–2003) * Detroit Falcons (

Fraser, Michigan Fraser is a city in Macomb County, Michigan, Macomb County in the U.S. state of Michigan. A northern Metro Detroit, suburb of Detroit, Fraser is located roughly northeast of downtown Detroit. As of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, th ...

; 1986–87; formerly St. Clair Shores Falcons) * Detroit Freeze (Fraser, Michigan; 1992–1997; moved to Chicago and renamed the

) * 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 Fargo is the List of cities in North Dakota, most populous city in the U.S. state of North Dakota and the county seat of Cass County, North Dakota, Cass County. The population was 125,990 at the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, which was e ...

; 2003–2008; ceased operations after 2007-2008 season) *

Fernie Ghostriders The Fernie Ghostriders are a Junior ice hockey, Junior 'A' ice hockey team based in Fernie, British Columbia, Fernie, British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Eddie Mountain Division of the Kootenay Conference of the Kootenay Internationa ...

(

Fernie, British Columbia Fernie is a city in the Elk Valley (British Columbia), Elk Valley area of the East Kootenay region of southeastern British Columbia, Canada, located on British Columbia provincial highway 3, BC Highway 3 on the western approaches to the Crows ...

; 2003–04; franchise rights were sold to a

Kalamazoo, Michigan Kalamazoo ( ) is a city in Kalamazoo County, Michigan, United States, and its county seat. At the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, Kalamazoo had a population of 73,598. It is the principal city of the Kalamazoo–Portage metropolitan are ...

based group in 2003; joined the KIJHL) * Fraser Flags (Fraser, Michigan; 1981–1984) * Fraser Highlanders (Fraser, Michigan; 1976–1980) *

Fresno Monsters The Fresno Monsters are a junior ice hockey team based in Fresno, California. The team is a member of the United States Premier Hockey League and plays in the Premier Division. The Monsters' home venue is Gateway Ice Center. History The Monsters ...

(

Fresno, California Fresno (; ) is a city in the San Joaquin Valley of California, United States. It is the county seat of Fresno County, California, Fresno County and the largest city in the greater Central Valley (California), Central Valley region. It covers a ...

; 2010–2013; relocated to

Wenatchee, Washington Wenatchee ( ) is the county seat and most populous city of Chelan County, Washington, Chelan County, Washington (state), Washington, United States. The population within the city limits in 2010 was 31,925, and has increased to 35,508 as of 2020. ...

, and renamed Wenatchee Wild) *

Gaylord Grizzlies The Gaylord Grizzlies were a junior ice hockey team that played in the North American Hockey League. The team played out of the Otsego County Sportsplex in Gaylord, Michigan. History In the middle of their 5th season, the Saginaw Gears (NAHL), S ...

(

Gaylord, Michigan Gaylord ( ') is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is the county seat of Otsego County, Michigan, Otsego County, and the only city within the county. Gaylord had a population of 4,286 at the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, an incre ...

; 1995–1998; formerly Saginaw Gears until relocating in December 1995; relocated to

Grand Rapids, Michigan Grand Rapids is the largest city and county seat of Kent County, Michigan, United States. With a population of 198,917 at the 2020 United States census, 2020 census and estimated at 200,117 in 2024, Grand Rapids is the List of municipalities ...

, and renamed Grand Rapids Bearcats) * Grand Rapids Bearcats (

; 1998–2000; renamed

Grand Rapids Rockets The Grand Rapids Rockets are a defunct International Hockey League team. They were members of the IHL from the 1950–1951 season to 1955–1956 season. They were based in Grand Rapids, Michigan and played their home games in Stadium Arena. Th ...

during the 1999–2000 season when the league took over the franchise; relocated to Lansing and renamed Capital Centre Pride) * Helena Bighorns (

Helena, Montana Helena (; ) is the List of capitals in the United States, capital city of the U.S. state of Montana and the county seat, seat of Lewis and Clark County, Montana, Lewis and Clark County. Helena was founded as a gold camp during the Montana gold ...

; 2003–2006; joined the

) * Hennessey Engineers (

Plymouth, Michigan Plymouth is a city in Wayne County in the U.S. state of Michigan. A western suburb of Detroit, Plymouth is located roughly northwest of downtown Detroit, and northeast of Ann Arbor. As of the 2020 census, the city had a population of 9,370. ...

; 1985–1987) * Indianapolis Jr. Ice (

Indianapolis, Indiana Indianapolis ( ), colloquially known as Indy, is the List of capitals in the United States, capital and List of municipalities in Indiana, most populous city of the U.S. state of Indiana and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana, Marion ...

; 1989–1995) * Jamestown Ironmen (

Jamestown, New York Jamestown is a city in southern Chautauqua County, New York, United States. The population was 28,712 at the 2020 United States census, 2020 census. Situated between Lake Erie to the north and the Allegheny National Forest to the south, Jamesto ...

; 2011–2013; ceased operations after 2012–13 season due to ownership issues) * Jamestown Rebels (

; 2018–2022; moved from

Philadelphia Philadelphia ( ), colloquially referred to as Philly, is the List of municipalities in Pennsylvania, most populous city in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania and the List of United States cities by population, sixth-most populous city in the Unit ...

after one season, returned once a new arena had been secured) * Kalamazoo Jr. Wings (

; 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 Connellsville is a City (Pennsylvania), city in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, United States, southeast of Pittsburgh and away via the Youghiogheny River, a tributary of the Monongahela River. It is part of the Pittsburgh metropolitan area. Th ...

; 2014–15; ceased operations after one season in Pennsylvania) *

Kansas City Scouts The Kansas City Scouts were a professional ice hockey team in the National Hockey League (NHL) from 1974 to 1976. In 1976–77 NHL season, 1976, the franchise relocated to Denver and became the Colorado Rockies (NHL), Colorado Rockies. In 1982– ...

(

Kansas City, Kansas Kansas City (commonly known as KCK) is the third-most populous city in the U.S. state of Kansas and the county seat of Wyandotte County. It is an inner suburb of the older and more populous Kansas City, Missouri, after which it is named. As ...

; 2020–21; relocated during

. Never played a game before relocating and becoming the Amarillo Wranglers) * Lakeland Jets ( Lakeland, Michigan; 1990–1995; relocated to

Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan Sault Ste. Marie ( ') is a city in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, Upper Peninsula of the U.S. state of Michigan. It is the county seat of Chippewa County, Michigan, Chippewa County and is the only city within the county. With a population of ...

, and renamed Soo Indians) * Lone Star Cavalry (

North Richland Hills, Texas North Richland Hills, commonly known as NRH, is a city in the U.S. state of Texas, located in Tarrant County. It is a mid-to-high end suburb of Fort Worth and forms part of the Mid-Cities region of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. The populat ...

; 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 Mahoning may refer to: Communities * Mahoning, Ohio, an unincorporated community in Portage County * Mahoning County, Ohio * Mahoning Township, Armstrong County, Pennsylvania * Mahoning Township, Carbon County, Pennsylvania * Mahoning Township, ...

(

Boardman, Ohio Boardman Township is one of the fourteen townships of Mahoning County, Ohio, United States. The population was 40,213 at the 2020 census. It is a suburb directly south of Youngstown and the second-largest municipality in the Youngstown–Warre ...

; 2005–2009; relocated to

Youngstown, Ohio Youngstown is a city in Mahoning County, Ohio, United States, and its county seat. It is the List of municipalities in Ohio, 11th-most populous city in Ohio with a population of 60,068 at the 2020 United States census, 2020 census. The Mahoning ...

, moved to the

, and renamed

Youngstown Phantoms The Youngstown Phantoms are a Tier I junior ice hockey team that plays in the Eastern Conference of the United States Hockey League (USHL). The team plays home games at the 5,200-seat Covelli Centre in Youngstown, Ohio. The team was co-owned ...

) * Marquette Rangers (

Marquette, Michigan Marquette ( ) is the county seat of Marquette County, Michigan, Marquette County and the largest city in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, United States. Located on the shores of Lake Superior, Marquette is a major port known primarily for shippin ...

; 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 Flint is the largest city in Genesee County, Michigan, United States, and its county seat. Located along the Flint River (Michigan), Flint River northwest of Detroit, it is a principal city within the Central Michigan, Mid Michigan region. Flin ...

; 2010–2015; suspended operations after being displaced by the OHL's

Flint Firebirds The Flint Firebirds are a major junior ice hockey team based in Flint, Michigan. The team plays home games at the Dort Financial Center, and operates as a member of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). The team began play for the 2015–16 season. ...

) * Minnesota Blizzard (Alexandria, Minnesota; 2003–2006; renamed

) * Minnesota Magicians (

Richfield, Minnesota Richfield is a city in Hennepin County, Minnesota. An inner-ring suburb of Minneapolis, Richfield is bordered by Minneapolis to the north, Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport and Fort Snelling to the east, Bloomington to the south, ...

; 2013–2022; relocated to

Eagle River, Wisconsin Eagle River is a city and the county seat of Vilas County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 1,628 at the 2020 census. Because of the many lakes in the area, the city is a popular vacation and retirement destination. The area contai ...

, renamed Wisconsin Windigo) * Motor City Machine (Detroit, Michigan; 2008–09; renamed Motor City Metal Jackets) *

Motor City Metal Jackets An engine or motor is a machine designed to convert one or more forms of energy into mechanical energy. Available energy sources include potential energy (e.g. energy of the Earth's gravitational field as exploited in hydroelectric power gene ...

(Detroit, Michigan, 2009–2011; relocated to

, renamed Jamestown Ironmen). * New Mexico Mustangs (

Rio Rancho, New Mexico Rio Rancho () is the largest and most populous city in Sandoval County, part of the expansive Albuquerque metropolitan area, in the U.S. state of New Mexico. A small portion of the city extends into northern Bernalillo County. It is the thi ...

; 2010–2012: purchased and relocated to

, after a one-year hiatus and renamed Minnesota Magicians) *

Niagara Scenic Niagara may refer to: Geography Niagara Falls and nearby places In both the United States and Canada *Niagara Falls, the famous waterfalls in the Niagara River *Niagara River, part of the U.S.–Canada border *Niagara Escarpment, the cliff ...

(

West Seneca, New York West Seneca is a town in Erie County, New York, United States. The population was 45,500 at the 2020 census. West Seneca is a centrally located interior town of the county, and a suburb of Buffalo. West Seneca, Orchard Park and Hamburg form t ...

; 1987–1994) *

North Iowa Outlaws North is one of the four compass points or cardinal directions. It is the opposite of south and is perpendicular to east and west. ''North'' is a noun, adjective, or adverb indicating direction or geography. Etymology The word ''north'' is ...

(

; 2005–2010; relocated to Onalaska, Wisconsin, and renamed Coulee Region Chill) * Oakland Chiefs ( Oakland, Michigan; 1975–76; relocated to Wayne, Michigan, and renamed Wayne Chiefs) * Owatonna Express (

Owatonna, Minnesota Owatonna ( ) is a city in and the county seat of Steele County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 26,420 at the 2020 United States census, 2020 census. Owatonna is home to the Steele County Fairgrounds, which hosts the Steele County F ...

; 2008–2011; relocated to

Odessa, Texas Odessa () is a city in the U.S. state of Texas and the county seat of Ector County, Texas, Ector County with portions extending into Midland County, Texas, Midland County. Odessa's population was 114,428 at the 2020 United States Census, 2020 ...

, and renamed

Odessa Jackalopes The Odessa Jackalopes are a Junior ice hockey#Tier II, Tier II junior ice hockey team playing in the North American Hockey League (NAHL). The team is based in Odessa, Texas and plays their home games at Ector County Coliseum. History The fra ...

) * Paddock Pool Saints (

Ecorse, Michigan Ecorse ( ') is a city in Wayne County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 9,305 at the 2020 census. Ecorse is part of the Downriver community within Metro Detroit. The city shares a northwestern border with the city of Detroi ...

; 1975–1984; won seven straight GLJHL titles) * Pittsburgh Forge (

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Pittsburgh ( ) is a city in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States, and its county seat. It is the List of municipalities in Pennsylvania#Municipalities, second-most populous city in Pennsylvania (after Philadelphia) and the List of Un ...

; 2001–2003; relocated to Toledo, Ohio, and renamed Toledo IceDiggers) * Port Huron Fighting Falcons (

Port Huron, Michigan Port Huron is a city in and seat of government of St. Clair County, Michigan, United States. The population was 28,983 at the 2020 census. The city is bordered on the west by Port Huron Township, but the two are administered autonomously. Po ...

; 2010–2014; relocated to

, and renamed Keystone Ice Miners) * Port Huron Fogcutters (Port Huron, Michigan; 1975–76) *

Redford Royals Redford may refer to: Places Australia * Redford, Queensland, a locality split between the Shire of Murweh and the Maranoa Region United Kingdom * Redford, Angus * Redford, Dorset * Redford, Edinburgh * Redford, West Sussex United St ...

(

Redford, Michigan Redford Township (commonly known simply as Redford) is a charter township in Wayne County in the U.S. state of Michigan. An inner-ring suburb of Detroit, Redford borders Detroit to the east, roughly northwest of downtown Detroit. As of the 2 ...

; 1978–1984, 1987–1989) * Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees (

Hidalgo, Texas Hidalgo is a city in Hidalgo County, Texas, United States. Its population was 11,198 at the 2010 United States Census, 2010 census, and in 2020, the population had risen to 13,964. History The area that is now Hidalgo was first settled by Spanis ...

; 2013–2015; relocated to

, and renamed the Aston Rebels) *

Rochester Jr. Americans The Rochester Jr. Americans are a junior ice hockey#Tier III, Tier II Junior ice hockey team from Rochester, New York, Rochester, New York (state), New York. Junior team returned to Rochester with the North American Hockey League accepting the loc ...

(

Rochester, New York Rochester is a city in and the county seat, seat of government of Monroe County, New York, United States. It is the List of municipalities in New York, fourth-most populous city and 10th most-populated municipality in New York, with a populati ...

; 1999–2000; played one season before disbanding, program later revived) *

Saginaw Gears The Saginaw Gears were two separate ice hockey teams from Saginaw, Michigan: * Saginaw Gears (IHL) The Saginaw Gears were a minor-league ice hockey franchise based in Saginaw, Michigan, that played in the defunct International Hockey League (IHL ...

(

Saginaw, Michigan Saginaw () is a city in Saginaw County, Michigan, United States, and its county seat. It had a population of 44,202 at the 2020 United States census, 2020 census. Located along the Saginaw River, Saginaw is adjacent to Saginaw Charter Township, ...

; 1991–1995; relocated in midseason to Gaylord, Michigan, and renamed Gaylord Grizzlies) * Santa Fe RoadRunners (

Santa Fe, New Mexico Santa Fe ( ; , literal translation, lit. "Holy Faith") is the capital city, capital of the U.S. state of New Mexico, and the county seat of Santa Fe County. With over 89,000 residents, Santa Fe is the List of municipalities in New Mexico, fourt ...

; 2004–2007; relocated to

Topeka, Kansas Topeka ( ) is the capital city of the U.S. state of Kansas and the county seat of Shawnee County. It is along the Kansas River in the central part of Shawnee County, in northeastern Kansas, in the Central United States. As of the 2020 cen ...

, and renamed

Topeka RoadRunners Topeka ( ) is the capital city of the U.S. state of Kansas and the county seat of Shawnee County. It is along the Kansas River in the central part of Shawnee County, in northeastern Kansas, in the Central United States. As of the 2020 cen ...

) *

Soo Eagles The Soo Eagles are an American junior ice hockey team from Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan that plays in the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League (NOJHL). In 2012, the Eagles bought the North American Hockey League franchise rights of the Traverse ...

(

; 2012–2015; returned to NOJHL and franchise relocated to

Middletown, New Jersey Middletown Township is a township in northern Monmouth County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the township was the state's 20th-most-populous municipality and the largest in the county,

, and renamed the New Jersey Titans) *

Soo Indians The Soo Indians were a Junior ice hockey#Tier II, Junior A ice hockey team playing in the North American Hockey League, North American Hockey League. The team was based in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. History In 1995, the Sault Tribe of Chippewa I ...

(Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan; 1995–2005) * Southern Minnesota Express (Owatonna, Minnesota; 2005–2008; relocated to Detroit area and renamed Motor City Machine) *

Springfield Spirit The Springfield Spirit were a women's professional basketball team in the National Women's Basketball League (NWBL), based in Springfield, Massachusetts. The team finished in last place in the league in 2001. In 2002, the Spirit signed former ...

(

Springfield, Missouri Springfield is the List of cities in Missouri, third most populous city in the U.S. state of Missouri and the county seat of Greene County, Missouri, Greene County. The city's population was 169,176 at the 2020 United States census, 2020 censu ...

; 2001–2005; relocated to Wasilla, Alaska, and renamed Wasilla Spirit) * St. Clair Shores Falcons (

St. Clair Shores, Michigan St. Clair Shores is a city in Macomb County in the U.S. state of Michigan. An inner-ring suburb of Detroit, St. Clair Shores is located roughly northeast of downtown Detroit. As of the 2020 census, the city had a population of 58,874. History ...

; 1983–1986; relocated to Fraser, Michigan, and renamed Detroit Cougars for one season) * St. Cloud Blizzard (

; 2019–2020; rebranded as the St. Cloud Norsemen in 2020) * St. Louis Bandits (

; 2006–2012; purchased and relocated to

Cloquet, Minnesota Cloquet ( ) is a city in Carlton County, Minnesota, United States, at the junction of Interstate 35 and Minnesota State Highway 33. Part of the city lies within the Fond du Lac Indian Reservation and serves as one of the reservation's three ...

, after a one-year hiatus and to be used by the Minnesota Wilderness) * St. Louis Sting (St. Louis, Missouri; 1996–2001; relocated to Springfield, Missouri, and renamed Springfield Spirit) *

Texarkana Bandits The Texarkana metropolitan statistical area (MSA), as defined by the United States Office of Management and Budget, is a two-county region anchored by the twin cities of Texarkana, Texas (population 37,333) and Texarkana, Arkansas (population ...

(

Texarkana, Arkansas Texarkana is a city in the U.S. state of Arkansas and the county seat of Miller County, on the southwest border of the state. As of the 2020 census, it had a population of 29,387. It is the twin city of Texarkana, Texas, located just acros ...

; 2003–2006; relocated to St. Louis, Missouri, and renamed St. Louis Bandits) *

Texas Tornado The Texas Tornado were a Junior A hockey team located in Frisco, Texas, USA. The team joined the North American Hockey League's Central division in 1999 (and moved into the newly formed southern division three years later) while located in Nor ...

(North Richland Hills, Texas for 1999–2008; hiatus for 2008–09 season;

Frisco, Texas Frisco is a city in the U.S. state of Texas, located in Collin County, Texas, Collin and Denton County, Texas, Denton counties. It is part of the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex (DFW) and about from both Dallas Love Field and Dallas/Fort Worth In ...

for 2009–13; relocated to back North Richland Hills in 2013 and renamed Lone Star Brahmas) * Toledo IceDiggers (

Toledo, Ohio Toledo ( ) is a city in Lucas County, Ohio, United States, and its county seat. It is located at the western end of Lake Erie along the Maumee River. Toledo is the List of cities in Ohio, fourth-most populous city in Ohio and List of United Sta ...

; 2003–2005; relocated to Alpena, Michigan, and renamed Alpena IceDiggers) * Topeka Pilots (

; 2018–2020; relocated to the Kansas City metropolitan area as the

, but never played before being relocating again as the Amarillo Wranglers) *

(

; 2007–2018; renamed Topeka Pilots under new ownership) * Traverse City North Stars (

Traverse City, Michigan Traverse City ( ) is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is the county seat of Grand Traverse County, Michigan, Grand Traverse County, although it partly extends into Leelanau County, Michigan, Leelanau County. The city's population was 15, ...

; 2005–2012; franchise purchased and relocated to be used by the Soo Eagles) * USNTDP (

Ann Arbor, Michigan Ann Arbor is a city in Washtenaw County, Michigan, United States, and its county seat. The 2020 United States census, 2020 census recorded its population to be 123,851, making it the List of municipalities in Michigan, fifth-most populous cit ...

; 1996–2009; moved to

) * Wasilla Spirit (Wasilla, Alaska; 2005–06; renamed Alaska Avalanche) * Waterford Lakers (

Waterford, Michigan Waterford Township (commonly known simply as Waterford) is a charter township in Oakland County in the U.S. state of Michigan. A northern suburb of Detroit, Waterford is located roughly northwest of downtown Detroit. As of the 2020 census, the ...

; 1981–82) * Wayne Chiefs (

Wayne, Michigan Wayne is a city in Wayne County in the U.S. state of Michigan. A western suburb of Detroit, Wayne is located about southwest of downtown Detroit. As of the 2020 census, the city had a population of 17,713. Wayne has a long history of autom ...

; 1976–1980) * Wenatchee Wild (1st) (

; 2008–2013; relocated to Hidalgo, Texas, and renamed Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees; Wild returned with the Fresno membership) * Wenatchee Wild (2nd) (Wenatchee, Washington; 2013–2015; former Fresno franchise; joined the

BCHL The British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) is an independent Canadian Junior ice hockey league with 21 teams in British Columbia and Alberta. It was classified as a Junior "A" league within the Hockey Canada framework, until it became independe ...

following the 2014–15 season) * Western Michigan Wolves (Kalamazoo, Michigan; 1988–89; renamed Kalamazoo Jr. Wings) * Wichita Falls Rustlers (

Wichita Falls, Texas Wichita Falls ( ) is a city in and the county seat of Wichita County, Texas, United States. It is the principal city of the Wichita Falls metropolitan area, Wichita Falls metropolitan statistical area, which encompasses all of Archer County, Tex ...

; 2003–04; renamed Wichita Falls Wildcats) * Wichita Falls Warriors (

; 2020–2; relocated

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Oklahoma City (), officially the City of Oklahoma City, and often shortened to OKC, is the List of capitals in the United States, capital and List of municipalities in Oklahoma, most populous city of the U.S. state of Oklahoma. The county seat ...

; renamed Oklahoma Warriors) * Wichita Falls Wildcats (Wichita Falls, Texas; 2004–2017; folded) * Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights (

Pittston, Pennsylvania Pittston is a city in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, United States. The city lies in the Wyoming Valley on the east side of the Susquehanna River and on the south side of the Lackawanna River. It is approximately midway between Wilkes-Barre, Pen ...

; 2015–2020; sold and relocated as Danbury Jr. Hat Tricks) *

(

; 2003–2005; renamed Mahoning Valley Phantoms when the

Central Hockey League The Central Hockey League (CHL) was a North American mid-level minor professional ice hockey league which operated from 1992 until 2014. It was founded by Ray Miron and Bill Levins and later sold to Global Entertainment Corporation, which opera ...

's Youngstown SteelHounds began play in 2005)

Timeline of league membership

DateFormat = mm/dd/yyyy ImageSize = width:1600 height:auto barincrement:20 Period = from:07/01/1974 till:12/31/2028 TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal PlotArea = right:10 left:5 bottom:50 top:5 Colors = id:line value:black id:act value:rgb(0.7,0.9,0.7) # current member id:inact value:rgb(0.9,0.7,0.7) # former member id:fut value:rgb(0.7,0.7,0.9) # future member id:out value:rgb(0.7,0.7,0.7) # active non-member PlotData= width:15 textcolor:black shift:(5,-5) anchor:from fontsize:s bar:1 color:inact from:07/01/1975 till:11/28/1975 text: Port Huron Fogcutters (1975) bar:2 color:inact from:07/01/1975 till:06/01/1976 text: Detroit Little Caesars (1975–76) bar:3 color:inact from:07/01/1975 till:06/01/1976 text: Oakland Chiefs (1975–76), Wayne Chiefs (1976–80) bar:3 color:inact from:07/01/1976 till:06/01/1980 text: bar:4 color:inact from:07/01/1975 till:06/01/1983 text: Detroit Jr. Wings (1975–83, 1987–92) bar:4 color:inact from:07/01/1987 till:06/01/1992 text: bar:5 color:inact from:07/01/1975 till:06/01/1984 text: Paddock Pool Saints (1975–84) bar:6 color:inact from:07/01/1976 till:06/01/1979 text: Cleveland Jr. Barons (1976–79) bar:7 color:out from:start till:06/01/1976 text: bar:7 color:inact from:07/01/1976 till:06/01/1980 text: Fraser Highlanders (1976–80) bar:8 color:inact from:07/01/1978 till:06/01/1984 text:

(1978–84) bar:9 color:inact from:07/01/1981 till:06/01/1982 text: Waterford Lakers (1981–82), Melvindale Lakers (1982–83) bar:9 color:inact from:07/01/1982 till:06/01/1983 text: bar:10 color:inact from:07/01/1981 till:06/01/1984 text: Fraser Flags (1981–84) bar:11 color:inact from:07/01/1983 till:06/01/1986 text: Buffalo Jr. Sabres (1983–86), Niagara Scenic (1987–94) bar:11 color:inact from:07/01/1987 till:06/01/1994 text: bar:11 color:out from:06/01/1994 till:end text: bar:12 color:inact from:07/01/1983 till:06/01/1986 text: St. Clair Shores Falcons (1983–86), Detroit Cougars (1986–87) bar:12 color:inact from:07/01/1986 till:06/01/1987 text: bar:13 color:inact from:07/01/1984 till:06/01/2003 text: Detroit Compuware Ambassadors (1984–2003) bar:14 color:inact from:07/01/1985 till:06/01/1987 text: Hennessy Engineers (1985–87), Redford Royals (1987–89), NACE (1989–90) bar:14 color:inact from:07/01/1987 till:06/01/1989 text: bar:14 color:inact from:07/01/1989 till:06/01/1990 text: bar:15 color:inact from:07/01/1986 till:06/01/1987 text: Chicago Patriots (1986–87) bar:16 color:inact from:07/01/1986 till:06/01/1987 text:

(1986–87) bar:17 color:inact from:07/01/1987 till:06/01/1989 text: Chicago Young Americans (1987–89) bar:18 color:inact from:07/01/1987 till:06/01/1990 text: Bloomfield Jets (1987–90), Lakeland Jets (1990–95), Soo Indians (1995–2005) bar:18 color:inact from:07/01/1990 till:06/01/1995 text: bar:18 color:inact from:07/01/1995 till:06/01/2005 text: bar:19 color:inact from:07/01/1988 till:06/01/1989 text: C & H Piping (1988–89), Melvindale Blades (1989–90) bar:19 color:inact from:07/01/1989 till:06/01/1990 text: bar:20 color:inact from:07/01/1988 till:06/01/1989 text: Western Michigan Wolves (1988–89), Kalamazoo Jr. Wings (1989–94), Danville Wings (1994–2003) bar:20 color:inact from:07/01/1989 till:06/01/1994 text: bar:20 color:inact from:07/01/1994 till:06/01/2003 text: bar:20 color:out from:06/01/2003 till:end text: bar:21 color:inact from:07/01/1989 till:06/01/1995 text: Indianapolis Jr. Ice (1989–95) bar:22 color:inact from:07/01/1990 till:06/01/1991 text: Lytes Rustlers (1990–91) bar:23 color:inact from:07/01/1990 till:06/01/1991 text: Dearborn Magic, Michigan/Dearborn Heights Nationals, St. Louis Sting, Springfield/Wasilla Spirit, Alaska Avalanche (1990–2012), bar:23 color:inact from:07/01/1991 till:06/01/1994 text: bar:23 color:inact from:07/01/1994 till:06/01/1996 text: bar:23 color:inact from:07/01/1996 till:06/01/2001 text: bar:23 color:inact from:07/01/2001 till:06/01/2005 text: bar:23 color:inact from:07/01/2005 till:06/01/2006 text: bar:23 color:inact from:07/01/2006 till:06/01/2012 text: bar:23 color:act from:07/01/2012 till:end text:

(2012–present) bar:24 color:inact from:07/01/1991 till:12/01/1995 text:

(1991–95), Gaylord Grizzlies (1995–98), Grand Rapids Bearcats (1998–99), Grand Rapids Rockets (1999–2000), Capital Centre Pride (2000–03) bar:24 color:inact from:12/01/1995 till:06/01/1998 text: bar:24 color:inact from:07/01/1998 till:12/01/1999 text: bar:24 color:inact from:12/01/1999 till:06/01/2000 text: bar:24 color:inact from:07/01/2000 till:06/01/2003 text: bar:25 color:inact from:07/01/1992 till:06/01/1997 text: Detroit Freeze (1992–97), Chicago Freeze (1997–2003) bar:25 color:inact from:07/01/1997 till:06/01/2003 text: bar:26 color:out from:06/01/1990 till:06/01/1993 text: bar:26 color:inact from:07/01/1993 till:06/01/2006 text: Cleveland Jr. Barons (1993–2006) bar:26 color:out from:06/01/2006 till:06/01/2008 text: bar:27 color:act from:07/01/1993 till:06/01/2020 text: Springfield Jr. Blues (1993–2020, 2021–present) bar:27 color:act from:07/01/2021 till:end text: bar:28 color:out from:06/01/1996 till:06/01/1997 text: bar:28 color:inact from:07/01/1997 till:06/01/2009 text: USNTDP (1997–2010) bar:28 color:out from:06/01/2009 till:end text: bar:29 color:inact from:07/01/1999 till:06/01/2000 text:

(1999–2000) bar:30 color:inact from:07/01/1999 till:06/01/2008 text:

(1999–2008, 2009–13) bar:30 color:inact from:07/01/2009 till:06/01/2013 text: bar:30 color:act from:07/01/2013 till:end text: Lone Star Brahmas (2013–present) bar:31 color:inact from:07/01/2001 till:06/01/2003 shift:-80 text: Pittsburgh Forge (2001–03), Toledo/Alpena IceDiggers (2003–05), bar:31 color:inact from:07/01/2003 till:06/01/2005 text: bar:31 color:inact from:07/01/2005 till:06/01/2010 text: bar:31 color:act from:07/01/2010 till:06/01/2020 text: Corpus Christi IceRays (2010–20, 2021–present) bar:31 color:act from:07/01/2021 till:end text: bar:32 color:out from:06/01/1991 till:06/01/2003 text: bar:32 color:inact from:07/01/2003 till:06/01/2004 text:

(2003–04) bar:32 color:out from:06/01/2004 till:end text: bar:33 color:out from:06/01/2002 till:06/01/2003 text: bar:33 color:inact from:07/01/2003 till:06/01/2004 text:

(2003–04), Central Texas Marshals (2004–05) bar:33 color:inact from:07/01/2004 till:06/01/2005 text: bar:34 color:out from:06/01/2001 till:06/01/2003 text: bar:34 color:inact from:07/01/2003 till:06/01/2006 text: Helena Bighorns (2003–06) bar:35 color:out from:06/01/1993 till:06/01/2003 text: bar:35 color:inact from:07/01/2003 till:06/01/2006 text:

(2003–06) bar:35 color:out from:06/01/2006 till:06/01/2017 text: bar:36 color:out from:06/01/1996 till:06/01/2003 text: bar:36 color:inact from:07/01/2003 till:06/01/2006 text:

(2003–06) bar:36 color:out from:06/01/2006 till:end text: bar:37 color:out from:06/01/1993 till:06/01/2003 text: bar:37 color:inact from:07/01/2003 till:06/01/2004 text: Wichita Falls Rustlers (2003–04), Wichita Falls Wildcats (2004–17) bar:37 color:inact from:07/01/2004 till:06/01/2017 text: bar:38 color:out from:06/01/1997 till:06/01/2003 text: bar:38 color:act from:07/01/2003 till:end text:

Bismarck Bobcats The Bismarck Bobcats are a junior ice hockey#Tier II, Tier II junior ice hockey team in the North American Hockey League's (NAHL) Central Division, and play out of Bismarck, North Dakota, in the V.F.W. Sports Center. Originally a part of the Amer ...

(2003–present) bar:39 color:out from:06/01/1997 till:06/01/2003 text: bar:39 color:act from:07/01/2003 till:end text: Fairbanks Ice Dogs (2003–present) bar:40 color:inact from:07/01/2003 till:12/01/2003 text:

(2003) bar:41 color:inact from:07/01/2003 till:06/01/2008 text: Fargo-Moorhead Jets (2003–08) bar:42 color:inact from:07/01/2003 till:06/01/2005 text:

(2003–05), Mahoning Valley Phantoms (2005–09) bar:42 color:inact from:07/01/2005 till:06/01/2009 text: bar:42 color:out from:06/01/2009 till:end text: bar:43 color:inact from:07/01/2003 till:06/01/2006 text:

(2003–06), St. Louis Bandits (2006–12) bar:43 color:inact from:07/01/2006 till:06/01/2012 text: bar:43 color:act from:07/01/2013 till:end text: Minnesota Wilderness (2013–present) bar:44 color:inact from:07/01/2003 till:06/01/2006 text: Minnesota Blizzard (2003–06), Alexandria/Brookings/St. Cloud Blizzard (2006–20), bar:44 color:inact from:07/01/2006 till:06/01/2020 text: bar:44 color:act from:07/01/2020 till:end text: St. Cloud Norsemen (2020–present) bar:45 color:inact from:07/01/2003 till:06/01/2004 text: Lone Star Cavalry (2003–04), Santa Fe/Topeka RoadRunners (2004–18), Topeka Pilots (2018–20) bar:45 color:inact from:07/01/2004 till:06/01/2007 text: bar:45 color:inact from:07/01/2007 till:06/01/2020 text: bar:45 color:act from:07/01/2021 till:end text: Amarillo Wranglers (2021–present) bar:46 color:inact from:07/01/2005 till:06/01/2008 text: Southern Minnesota Express (2005–08), Motor City Machine/Metal Jackets (2008–11), Jamestown Ironmen (2011–13) bar:46 color:inact from:07/01/2008 till:06/01/2009 text: bar:46 color:inact from:07/01/2009 till:06/01/2011 text: bar:46 color:inact from:07/01/2011 till:06/01/2013 text: bar:47 color:inact from:07/01/2005 till:06/01/2012 text: Traverse City North Stars (2005–12), Soo Eagles (2012–15) bar:47 color:inact from:07/01/2012 till:06/01/2015 text: bar:47 color:act from:07/01/2015 till:end text: New Jersey Titans (2015–present) bar:48 color:inact from:07/01/2005 till:06/01/2010 text:

(2005–10), Coulee Region Chill (2010–18) bar:48 color:inact from:07/01/2010 till:06/01/2018 text: bar:48 color:act from:07/01/2018 till:end text: Chippewa Steel (2018–present) bar:49 color:inact from:07/01/2006 till:06/01/2010 text: Marquette Rangers (2006–10), Michigan Warriors (2010–15) bar:49 color:inact from:07/01/2010 till:06/01/2015 text: bar:50 color:act from:07/01/2007 till:end text: Kenai River Brown Bears (2007–present) bar:51 color:inact from:07/01/2008 till:06/01/2011 shift:-60 text: Owatonna Express (2008–11), bar:51 color:act from:07/01/2011 till:end text:

(2011–present) bar:52 color:inact from:07/01/2008 till:06/01/2010 text: Albert Lea Thunder (2008–10), Amarillo Bulls (2010–21) bar:52 color:inact from:07/01/2010 till:06/01/2021 text: bar:52 color:act from:07/01/2021 till:end text:

(2021–present) bar:53 color:inact from:07/01/2008 till:06/01/2013 shift:-50 text: Wenatchee Wild (2008–13), Rio Grande/Aston/Philadelphia/Jamestown (2013–20, 2021–22) bar:53 color:inact from:07/01/2013 till:06/01/2015 text: bar:53 color:inact from:07/01/2015 till:06/01/2017 text: bar:53 color:inact from:07/01/2017 till:06/01/2018 text: bar:53 color:inact from:07/01/2018 till:06/01/2020 text: bar:53 color:inact from:07/01/2021 till:06/01/2022 text: bar:53 color:act from:07/01/2022 till:end text: Philadelphia Rebels (2022–present) bar:54 color:act from:07/01/2009 till:end text: Janesville Jets (2009–present) bar:55 color:inact from:07/01/2010 till:06/01/2012 text: Chicago Hitmen (2010–12) bar:56 color:inact from:07/01/2010 till:06/01/2012 text: Dawson Creek Rage (2010–12), WBS Knights (2015–20) bar:56 color:inact from:07/01/2015 till:06/01/2020 text: bar:56 color:act from:07/01/2020 till:end text: Danbury Jr. Hat Tricks (2020–present) bar:57 color:inact from:07/01/2010 till:06/01/2012 text: New Mexico Mustangs (2010–12), Minnesota Magicians (2013–22) bar:57 color:inact from:07/01/2013 till:06/01/2022 text: bar:57 color:act from:07/01/2022 till:end text: Wisconsin Windigo (2022–present) bar:58 color:inact from:07/01/2010 till:06/01/2014 text: Port Huron Fighting Falcons (2010–14), Keystone Ice Miners (2014–15) bar:58 color:inact from:07/01/2014 till:06/01/2015 text: bar:59 color:inact from:07/01/2010 till:06/01/2013 text:

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Aberdeen Wings The Aberdeen Wings are a Tier II junior ice hockey team based out of Aberdeen, South Dakota, that began play for 2010–11. A member of the North American Hockey League in the Central Division, the Wings play their home games in the Odde Ice Ce ...

(2010–present) bar:61 color:act from:07/01/2010 till:end text: Austin Bruins (2010–present) bar:62 color:inact from:07/01/2011 till:06/01/2013 text: Kalamazoo Jr. K-Wings (2011–13) bar:63 color:act from:07/01/2011 till:end text: Minot Minotauros (2011–present) bar:64 color:act from:07/01/2016 till:end text:

Northeast Generals The Northeast Generals are a Junior ice hockey#Tier II, Tier II junior ice hockey team based in Canton, Massachusetts. The team competes in the North American Hockey League (NAHL). History In 2015, the organization added a Junior ice hockey#Tie ...

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Shreveport Mudbugs The Shreveport Mudbugs are a Junior ice hockey#Tier II, Tier II junior ice hockey team based in Shreveport, Louisiana, as a member of the North American Hockey League. The new Mudbugs replaced a former professional team that played in the area fr ...

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Maryland Black Bears The Maryland Black Bears are a Tier II junior ice hockey team in the North American Hockey League's East Division. The Black Bears play their home games in the Piney Orchard Ice Arena in Odenton, Maryland. Founded in 2018, the Black Bears are ...

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Maine Nordiques The Maine Nordiques were a professional ice hockey team that operated within the North American Hockey League from 1973 to 1977. They were based at the Central Maine Youth Center in Lewiston, Maine. The Nordiques served as a farm club for the Q ...

(2019–present) bar:68 color:act from:07/01/2019 till:end text:

New Mexico Ice Wolves The New Mexico Ice Wolves are a Tier II junior ice hockey team in the North American Hockey League's South Division. The Wolves play their home games in the Outpost Ice Arenas in Albuquerque, New Mexico. History On February 28, 2019, the NAHL ...

(2019–present) bar:69 color:inact from:07/01/2020 till:06/01/2022 shift:-100 text: Wichita Falls Warriors (2020–22) bar:69 color:act from:07/01/2022 till:end text: Oklahoma Warriors (2022–present) bar:70 color:act from:07/01/2021 till:end text:

Anchorage Wolverines The Anchorage Wolverines are a Tier II junior Ice Hockey team that became a member of the North American Hockey League The North American Hockey League (NAHL) is one of the top junior hockey leagues in the United States and is in its 50th ...

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El Paso Rhinos The El Paso Rhinos are a junior ice hockey organization based in El Paso, Texas. Their home games are played at the County Events Center located within the El Paso County Coliseum complex. The Rhinos are members of the Tier III junior North Amer ...

(2021–present) bar:72 color:act from:07/01/2023 till:end text: Colorado Grit (2023–present) bar:73 color:act from:07/01/2023 till:end text: New Hampshire Mountain Kings (2023–present) bar:74 color:act from:07/01/2023 till:end text:

(2023–present) bar:75 color:act from:07/01/2024 till:end text: Elmira Aviators (2024–present) bar:76 color:act from:07/01/2024 till:end text: Minnesota Mallards (2024–present) bar:77 color:act from:07/01/2024 till:end text: Watertown Shamrocks (2024–present) LineData = color:black layer:back at:06/01/1984 at:06/01/1992 ScaleMajor = gridcolor:line unit:year increment:5 start:1975

Playoff structure

Midwest and Central

Top 4 teams qualify, and in the 1st round (Division Semi-Finals), the 1st seed (seeding based on placement in division) plays the 4th seed and the 2nd seed plays the 3rd seed in a 2H-2A-1H best of 5 Series. The winners of those two series will play each other in the Division Finals with the same 2H-2A-1H Best of 5 format. The winner of the Division Finals will be crowned the Division Champions and will represent the Division in the Final Four, hosted at the Fogerty Ice Arena in

Blaine, Minnesota Blaine is a suburban city in Anoka and Ramsey counties in Minnesota, United States. Once a rural town, Blaine's population has increased significantly in the last 60 years. For several years, Blaine led the Twin Cities metro region in new home ...

South and East

The top 6 teams qualify, with the 1st seed and 2nd seed (seeding based on placement in division) getting byes. Seeds 3, 4, 5, and 6 will all play in the play-in, which happens around early-to-mid April. The 3 seed will host the 6 seed for all 3 games,* as the 4th seed will also host the 5th seed for all 3 games.* The winner with the lowest seed will play the 1st seed, and the winner with the highest seed will play the 2nd seed. From there, the format is the same as the Midwest and Central.

Robertson Cup winners

The Robertson Cup Championship is a playoff series held at the end of the NAHL season. The trophy is awarded annually to the

Tier II junior national playoff champion. The Cup is the oldest junior hockey trophy in the United States and is named in honor of Chuck Robertson, a pioneer of junior hockey in the NAHL and youth hockey in the state of Michigan. Chuck Robertson was the owner of the Paddock Pool Saints when they won a record seven straight NAHL championships from 1976 to 1983. As of the 2023–24 season

References

External links

North American Hockey League
{{Junior Hockey Junior ice hockey leagues in the United States 1975 establishments in the United States