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North American 3 Hockey League

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NA3HL
SportIce hockey
Founded1970s
No. of teams34
CountryUnited States
Most recent
champion(s)		Helena Bighorns
(2024)
Official websitewww.na3hl.com

The North American 3 Hockey League (NA3HL) is an American Tier III junior ice hockey league that consists of teams from Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. Sanctioned by USA Hockey, for most of the league's existence, the winner of the NA3HL playoffs would advance to play for the Tier III National Championship, however, this has not been held since 2015.

History

[edit]

Originally formed in the early 1970s as a Junior B-level league known as the Central States Hockey League (CSHL), the league evolved into the Metro Detroit Junior Hockey League in the early 1980s. The CSHL name was used again from 1994 until 2010. The league was reclassified from Tier III Junior B to Tier III Junior A in the summer of 2007 by USA Hockey.

CSHL logo

During the 2008–09 season, it was announced that the Pittsburgh Jr. Penguins would join the CSHL for the 2009–10 season, bringing the number of teams to 13. The league returned to 12 teams for 2010–11, as the Dubuque Thunderbirds franchise folded to make way for the return of the Dubuque Fighting Saints in the United States Hockey League.

On November 1, 2010, it was announced that the North American Hockey League would take control of the CSHL. The NAHL-CSHL affiliation intends for a more structured junior hockey system to provide athletes with more opportunities to advance to college and professional hockey, including a draft of CSHL players into the NAHL. At the time of the take over, the league was renamed to the North American 3 Hockey League (NA3HL).[1]

In May 2011, it was announced that the Granite City Lumberjacks, Minnesota Flying Aces, North Iowa Bulls and the Twin City Steel would join the league beginning with the 2011–12 season bringing the total number of teams in the NA3HL to 16.

In March 2013, the NA3HL announced that its Board of Governors has accepted the membership application for the Chicago Jr. Bulldogs, which began play in the NA3HL during the 2013–14 season. Owned by Ken Kestas, the Bulldogs played home games out of Canlan Ice Sports in Romeoville, Illinois.

Quad City Jr. Flames (Davenport, Iowa) relocated to Madison, Wisconsin, in May 2013 and were renamed the Wisconsin Whalers.[2]

In May 2014, the Flint Jr. Generals were purchased and relocated to La Crosse, Wisconsin, and renamed the La Crosse Freeze. The NA3HL announced that the Texas Jr. Brahmas would transfer from the Western States Hockey League and join the South Division.[3] The expansion Nashville Junior Predators and Point Mallard Ducks (Decatur, AL) also joined the South Division bringing its total up to six teams.[3] The American West Hockey League moved to the NA3HL to form new Frontier Division.[4] The Battle Creek Revolution announced it was re-branding as the West Michigan Wolves. The Michigan Mountain Cats were sold and relocated to Jamestown, NY, and called the Southern Tier Xpress.

In April 2015, the NA3HL announced an expansion team in Evansville, Indiana, called the Thunderbolts, to play in the South Division beginning in the 2015–16 season.[5] On May 21–22 of 2015, two additional expansion teams were announced: Rochester Ice Hawks, a member of the former Minnesota Junior Hockey League, was added the West Division,[6] and the Louisiana Drillers playing out of Lafayette, Louisiana was added to the South Division.[7]

On March 4, 2016, it was formally announced that the North American Hockey League's other Tier III league, the North American 3 Eastern Hockey League (NA3EHL), would be added to the NA3HL beginning with the 2016–17 season.[8] The former NA3EHL teams became two new divisions within the NA3HL. On May 21, 2016, the Missoula Bruins youth hockey organization from Missoula, Montana, announced it had been approved as an expansion team in the Frontier Division of the NA3HL. The Missoula Junior Bruins replaced the Missoula Maulers of the Western States Hockey League after arena negotiations with the Maulers' owner fell through.[9]

Prior to the 2017–18 season, the Lockport Express relocated to become the Niagara Falls PowerHawks, the Syracuse Stampede relocated to become the Oswego Stampede, and the West Michigan Wolves relocated to become the Lansing Wolves. The Chicago Jr. Bulldogs, Euless Jr. Stars, and L/A Fighting Spirit franchises were sold; the Bulldogs were relocated as the Wausau RiverWolves, the Jr. Stars re-branded as the Mid-Cities Jr. Stars, and the Fighting Spirit re-branded as the Lewiston/Auburn Nordiques. The Cincinnati Thunder, which had already been playing out of Dayton, re-branded as the Dayton Falcons. The Butte Cobras, formerly of the Western States Hockey League (WSHL), purchased the Glacier Nationals franchise in order to join the NA3HL. The schedule was set with 47 teams, however, the Butte Cobras and Billings Bulls would both fold prior to playing a game, while the Dayton Falcons, Nashville Junior Predators, and Jersey Shore Wildcats were also removed from the schedules during the season.

In April 2018, the NA3HL announced the entire East Division had left the league including the reigning champions, the Metro Jets, and joined the United States Premier Hockey League (USPHL). The Butte Cobras were also announced as returning and the Point Mallard Ducks were purchased and relocated to become the Milwaukee Power.[10]

In 2020, the WSHL's Oklahoma City Jr. Blazers purchased the dormant Coulee Region Chill franchise to join the league for 2020[11] and the El Paso Rhinos announced an agreement to add expansion teams to both the NA3HL in 2020 and the NAHL in 2021.[12] The Coastal and Northeast divisions merged into a new East Division beginning with the 2020–21 season following several teams withdrawing.

In 2023, the New Ulm Steel packed their bags and moved to Tomah, Wisconsin, becoming the Wisconsin Woodsmen.[13] With that, they moved from the West Division to the Central Division. They went out and hired head coach Jon Vaillancourt. In their first season, they placed 4th and made the playoffs, playing the Wausau Cyclones. They got swept, 2-games-to-0.

In 2024, the Minnesota Loons were sold and moved to Eveleth, Minnesota, and went under the same umbrella as the NAHL's Minnesota Wilderness, taking the same name, logo, colors, and uniforms. Similarly, the Maine Nordiques of the NAHL added a NA3HL franchise as an expansion team. Also joining as an expansion team is the Tulsa Jr. Oilers.

Alumni

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Many prominent college and pro hockey players have played in the CSHL at one point in their careers, including 2007 Hobey Baker finalist Eric Ehn (Metro Jets), St. Louis Blues forward and 2010 and 2014 U.S. Olympian Paul Stastny (St. Louis Jr. Blues) and Chris Butler (St. Louis Jr. Blues), now in the St. Louis Blues' organization.

Teams

[edit]
Division Team Location Arena Founded Joined
Central Peoria Mustangs Peoria, Illinois Owens Center 2000
Rochester Grizzlies Rochester, Minnesota Rochester Recreation Center 1996 2015
St. Louis Jr. Blues Affton, Missouri Affton Ice Rink 1978 1987
Wausau Cyclones Wausau, Wisconsin Marathon County Arena 2013 2017[a]
West Bend Power West Bend, Wisconsin Kettle Moraine Ice Center 2014[b]
Wisconsin Woodsmen Tomah, Wisconsin Tomah Ice Center 2011[c]
East Binghamton Buzz Binghamton, New York The Ice Center 2024
Danbury Jr. Hat Tricks Danbury, Connecticut Danbury Ice Arena 2014 2016[d]
Long Beach Sharks Long Beach, New York Long Beach Ice Arena 2010[14] 2016[e]
Maine Jr. Nordiques Lewiston, Maine The Colisée 2024
New Hampshire Mountain Kings Hooksett, New Hampshire Tri Town Ice Arena 2023
New Jersey Titans Middletown Township, New Jersey Middletown Ice Arena 2008[f] 2016
Northeast Generals Attleboro, Massachusetts New England Sports Village 2015 2016
Norwich Sea Captains Norwich, Connecticut RoseGarden Ice Arena 2015 2016[g]
Frontier Badlands Sabres Rapid City, South Dakota Roosevelt Park Ice Arena 2016[h]
Bozeman Icedogs Bozeman, Montana Haynes Pavilion 1996 2014
Butte Irish Butte, Montana Butte Community Ice Center 2011 2014[i]
Gillette Wild Gillette, Wyoming Campbell County Ice Arena 2011 2014
Great Falls Americans Great Falls, Montana Great Falls Ice Plex 2011 2014
Helena Bighorns Helena, Montana Helena Ice Arena 2004 2014
Sheridan Hawks Sheridan, Wyoming Sheridan Ice M&M’s Center 2004[j]
Yellowstone Quake Cody, Wyoming Victor J. Riley Arena 2001 2014
South Atlanta Capitals Duluth, Georgia Atlanta IceForum 2013[k]
Austin Ice Bats[15] Cedar Park, Texas Chaparral Ice at The Crossover 2021
El Paso Rhinos El Paso, Texas County Events Center 2006 2020
Louisiana Drillers Lafayette, Louisiana Planet Ice Skating and Hockey Arena 2015
Mid-Cities Junior Stars Euless, Texas Dr. Pepper StarCenter 2013
New Mexico Ice Wolves Albuquerque, New Mexico Outpost Ice Arenas 1998[l]
Texas Jr. Brahmas North Richland Hills, Texas NYTEX Sports Centre 2010 2014
Texas RoadRunners College Station, Texas Spirit Ice Arena 2013[m]
Tulsa Jr Oilers Tulsa, Oklahoma WeStreet Ice Center 2024
West Alexandria Blizzard Alexandria, Minnesota Runestone Community Center 2012
Granite City Lumberjacks Sauk Rapids, Minnesota Armadillo Deck Sports Arena 2007 2011
Mason City Toros Mason City, Iowa North Iowa Ice Arena 2011
Minnesota Moose Blaine, Minnesota Fogerty Arena 2015[n]
Minnesota Wilderness Eveleth, Minnesota Eveleth Hippodrome 2012[o]
Willmar WarHawks Willmar, Minnesota Willmar Civic Center 2007 2011[p]
  1. ^ As the Chicago Jr. Bulldogs.
  2. ^ As the Point Mallard Ducks.
  3. ^ As Twin City Steel-2016 as New Ulm Steel
  4. ^ As the Lockport Express
  5. ^ Briefly joined as the New York Aviators.
  6. ^ As the New England Stars.
  7. ^ As the Skylands Kings.
  8. ^ As the Missoula Junior Bruins.
  9. ^ The Butte Cobras bought the Glacier Nationals in 2017 to join the league.
  10. ^ As the Quad City Express.
  11. ^ As the Topeka Capitals.
  12. ^ Franchise founded as the Flint Jr. Generals in the CSHL. The OKC Jr. Blazers/Ice Hawks organization was founded in 2014 and bought the franchise to join the NA3HL in 2020.
  13. ^ As the Sugar Land Imperials.
  14. ^ As the Evansville Jr. Thunderbolts via Oregon Tradesmen.
  15. ^ As the Breezy Point North Stars.
  16. ^ As the Minnesota Flying Aces.

Champions

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The league championship trophy is the Fraser Cup. It was originally called the Hurster Cup during the league's time as the Central States Hockey League. In 2012, the cup was then renamed to the Silver Cup.[16] In 2017, the league again renamed the championship to the Fraser Cup after long-time NAHL, NA3HL, and NAPHL Director of Hockey Administration, Robert ‘Fraser’ Ritchie.[17] The winner of the Cup typically receives a bid to compete in the USA Hockey Tier III junior hockey National Championship Tournament, however, the tournament has not been held since 2015.

Season Playoffs winner Nationals results
Tournament Top qualifier results Runner Up qualifier results
1988 St. Louis Jr. Blues Jr. B
1989 Lytes Rustlers Jr. B
1990 Metro Jets Jr. B
1991 Wayne Chiefs Jr. B
1992 Downriver Blades Jr. B
1993 Wayne Chiefs Jr. B
1994 St. Louis Jr. Blues Jr. B
1995 Toledo Cherokee Jr. B
1996 Motor City Chiefs Jr. B
1997 Toledo Cherokee Jr. B
1998 Motor City Chiefs Jr. B Toledo Cherokee won Jr. B National Championship[18]
1999 Toledo Cherokee Jr. B
2000 St. Louis Jr. Blues Jr. B
2001 Metro Jets Jr. B
2002 Metro Jets Jr. B Metro Jets won Tier III Jr. B National Championship[18]
2003 St. Louis Jr. Blues Jr. B St. Louis Jr. Blues lost Championship game to Phoenix Polar Bears
2004 St. Louis Jr. Blues Jr. B St. Louis Jr. Blues won Tier III Jr. B National Championship[18]
2005 St. Louis Jr. Blues Jr. B St. Louis Jr. Blues won Tier III Jr. B National Championship[18]
2006 St. Louis Jr. Blues Jr. B[19] St. Louis Jr. Blues
3-0-0 in Round Robin, 1st of 4, Pool I
Won Semifinal (6-2 vs. Twin Cities Northern Lights)
Tier III Jr. B National Champions (5-4 vs. Toledo Cherokee)		 Toledo Cherokee
3-0-0 in Round Robin, 1st of 4, Pool III
Won Semifinal 3-2 vs. Minnesota Ice Hawks)
Lost Championship game (4-5 vs. St. Louis Jr. Blues)
2007 Dubuque Thunderbirds Jr. B[20] Dubuque Thunderbirds
2-1-0 in Round Robin, 1st of 4, Pool II
Lost Semifinal (0-3 vs. New Hampshire Jr. Monarchs)		 St. Louis Jr. Blues
2-1-0 in Round Robin, 2nd of 4, Pool I
Won Semifinal (6-1 vs. Suffolk PAL)
Tier III Jr. B National Champions (4-0 vs. New Hampshire Jr. Monarchs)
2008 Dubuque Thunderbirds Jr. A[21] Dubuque Thunderbirds
Eliminated 0-2-1 in Round Robin, 3rd of 4, Pool III		 Cleveland Jr. Lumberjacks
Eliminated 0-3-0 in Round Robin, 4th of 4, Pool II
2009 Dubuque Thunderbirds Jr. A[22] Dubuque Thunderbirds
2-0-1 in Round Robin, 1st of 4, Pool II
Lost Semifinal (1-5 vs. New Jersey Hitmen)		 St. Louis Jr. Blues
Eliminated 0-2-1 in Round Robin, 3rd of 4, Pool III
2010 St. Louis Jr. Blues Jr. A[23] St. Louis Jr. Blues
2-1-0 in Round Robin, 1st of 4, Pool III
Won Semifinal (2-1 vs. New Hampshire Jr. Monarchs)
Tier III Jr. A National Champions (4-3 vs. South Shore Kings)		 Dubuque Thunderbirds
Eliminated 2-1-0 in Round Robin, 2nd of 4, Pool I
2011 Chicago Hitmen Jr. A[24] Chicago Hitmen
Eliminated 0-2-1 in Round Robin, 4th of 4, Pool II		 St. Louis Jr. Blues
Eliminated 2-1-0 in Round Robin, 2nd of 4, Pool I
2012 Granite City Lumberjacks Tier III[25] No representatives sent to tournament
2013 North Iowa Bulls Tier III[26] North Iowa Bulls
3-0-0 in Round Robin, 1st of 4, American Div.
Won Semifinal (3-2 vs. Helena Bighorns)
Tier III National Champions (6-2 vs. Twin Cities Northern Lights)		 No runner up teams in tournament for 2013
2014 North Iowa Bulls Tier III[27] North Iowa Bulls
3-0-0 in Round Robin, 1st of 4, Pool C
Won Semifinal (5-1 vs. Northern Cyclones)
Lost Championship (1-4 vs. Boston Jr. Bruins)		 Flint Jr. Generals
Eliminated 2-1-0 in Round Robin, 3rd of 4, Pool B
2015 Granite City Lumberjacks Division 1[28] Granite City Lumberjacks
Eliminated 2-1-0 in Round Robin, 3rd of 4		 North Iowa Bulls
2-1-0 in Round Robin, 2nd of 4
Tier III National Champions (2-1 vs. Northern Cyclones)
2016 North Iowa Bulls Tier III Nationals not held
2017 Granite City Lumberjacks
2018 Metro Jets
2019 Texas Jr. Brahmas
2020 Not awarded
Season CHAMPION Fraser Cup Qualifiers
Central Div East Div Frontier Div South Div West Div Wildcard
2021 North Iowa Bulls Rochester Grizzlies Northeast Generals Sheridan Hawks Texas Brahmas North Iowa Bulls Oklahoma City Blazers
2022 Rochester Grizzlies Rochester Grizzlies Northeast Generals Helena Bighorns El Paso Rhinos Granite City Lumberjacks Gillette Wild
2023 Granite City Lumberjacks Rochester Grizzlies Northeast Generals Helena Bighorns Texas Brahmas Granite City Lumberjacks Oregon Tradesman
2024 Helena Bighorns West Bend Power Northeast Generals Helena Bighorns Louisiana Drillers Granite City Lumberjacks Gillette Wild

Former teams

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "NA3HL Celebrates 10 Years of Growth and Success". NA3HL. September 16, 2019.
  2. ^ "Quad City Jr. Flames To Be Renamed The Wisconsin Whalers". The Junior Hockey News. 24 May 2013.
  3. ^ a b Fitts, Colin (May 24, 2014). "NA3HL Club Arrives In Nashville". The Hockey Writers. Retrieved May 31, 2014.
  4. ^ "AWHL joins NA3HL". Billings Gazette. 21 March 2014.
  5. ^ "ThunderBolts hockey team introduces owner, head coach". Evansville Courier & Press. 23 July 2015.
  6. ^ "NA3HL approves expansion membership to Rochester Ice Hawks". Junior Hockey News. May 21, 2015.
  7. ^ "NA3HL approves expansion membership to Louisiana Drillers". Junior Hockey News. May 22, 2015.
  8. ^ "NA3EHL to join NA3HL for the 2016-17 season". NA3HL. March 4, 2016.
  9. ^ "New Missoula junior hockey team approved". The Montana Standard. May 21, 2016.
  10. ^ "NA3HL announces divisional alignment and events for 2018-19 season". NA3HL. April 17, 2018.
  11. ^ "NA3HL announces new team in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma". NA3HL. May 19, 2020.
  12. ^ "El Paso Rhinos will join NAHL and NA3HL". El Paso Times. June 16, 2020.
  13. ^ "New Ulm Steel sold; Hockey team to relocate to Tomah, Wis". nujournal.com. March 19, 2023.
  14. ^ "page":4,"issue_id":177948} "A Team Grows in Brooklyn". Junior Hockey Magazine. October 2013.
  15. ^ "NA3HL announces new team in Austin, Texas". NA3HL. April 27, 2021.
  16. ^ "NA3HL CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT". NA3HL. Retrieved September 11, 2017.
  17. ^ "NA3HL names Championship Trophy in memory of Fraser Ritchie". NA3HL. September 11, 2017.
  18. ^ a b c d "Junior B Silver Cup". Retrieved March 25, 2016.
  19. ^ "2006 Tier III Junior B Nationals". Pointstreak. Retrieved August 21, 2015.
  20. ^ "2007 Tier III Junior B Nationals". Pointstreak. Retrieved August 21, 2015.
  21. ^ "2008 Tier III Junior A Nationals". Pointstreak. Retrieved August 21, 2015.
  22. ^ "2009 Tier III Jr. A Nat. Championships". USA Hockey. Retrieved August 26, 2015.
  23. ^ "2010 Tier III Jr. A Nat. Championships". USA Hockey. Retrieved August 26, 2015.
  24. ^ "2011 Tier III Jr. A Nat. Championships". USA Hockey. Retrieved August 18, 2015.
  25. ^ "2012 Tier III Nat. Championships". USA Hockey. Retrieved August 19, 2015.
  26. ^ "2013 Tier III Nat. Championships". USA Hockey. Retrieved August 18, 2015.
  27. ^ "2014 Tier III Nat. Championships". USA Hockey. Retrieved August 18, 2015.
  28. ^ "2015 Tier III Junior Nat. Championships". USA Hockey. Retrieved September 17, 2015.
  29. ^ "West Michigan Wolves era in NA3HL to begin in 2014-15". NA3HL. April 1, 2014.
  30. ^ "NA3HL's Billings Bulls Shot In The Head". The Junior Hockey News. September 9, 2017.
  31. ^ a b c d e "NA3HL announces new markets for the 2019-20 season". NA3HL. April 17, 2019.
  32. ^ "NA3HL team returns to Breezy Point, Minnesota". NA3HL. April 28, 2021.
  33. ^ "NA3HL's Butte Cobras Killed". The Junior Hockey News. September 8, 2017.
  34. ^ "3View: Butte Irish". NA3HL. August 24, 2023.
  35. ^ "Weekly Sports League and Franchise Report". OurSports Central. September 16, 2019.
  36. ^ "Chicago Hitmen will not play in 2012-13". NA3HL. May 11, 2012.
  37. ^ "Cincinnati team in NA3HL renamed the Thunder". NA3HL. April 10, 2015.
  38. ^ "NA3HL approves sale and relocation of Cleveland to Wooster, Ohio". NA3HL. February 15, 2015.
  39. ^ "College Station Spirit rebrand to become the Texas RoadRunners". NA3HL. May 9, 2019.
  40. ^ "Danbury Colonials to become the Jr. Hat Tricks". NA3HL. August 24, 2020.
  41. ^ "Weekly Sports League & Franchise Report". OurSports Central. July 24, 2017.
  42. ^ "NA3HL's Jr. Stars purchased by Chill, Freeze ownership". NA3HL. August 4, 2015.
  43. ^ "Elmira Jr. Soaring Eagles to relocate to Holyoke, Massachusetts". NA3HL. April 8, 2020.
  44. ^ "NA3HL announces new team in Oregon, Wisconsin". NA3HL. April 1, 2020.
  45. ^ "NA3HL approves sale and relocation of Flint to La Crosse, WI". NA3HL. May 6, 2014.
  46. ^ "Glacier Nationals sold, relocated to Butte, Montana to become Cobras". NA3HL. May 26, 2017.
  47. ^ "Express moving to Niagara Falls in 2017-18". NA3HL. March 14, 2017.
  48. ^ "NA3HL approves sale and relocation of Mountain Cats to Jamestown, NY". NA3HL. March 10, 2014.
  49. ^ "Power announces new ownership group, name change, affiliation". NA3HL. August 9, 2023.
  50. ^ "NA3HL's Flying Aces purchased, relocated by NAHL Blizzard ownership". Junior Hockey News. May 24, 2016.
  51. ^ "NA3HL announces new team in Rapid City, South Dakota". NA3HL. April 27, 2021.
  52. ^ "Mountain Cats continue to make great strides". NA3HL. April 21, 2011.
  53. ^ "NA3HL announces new team in Middletown, New Jersey". NA3HL. April 19, 2020.
  54. ^ "NA3HL announces new team in Tomah, Wisconsin". NA3HL. April 10, 2023.
  55. ^ "Mason City Toros begin new era in the NA3HL". NA3HL. June 1, 2021.
  56. ^ "OKLAHOMA CITY ICE HAWKS". OKCityHockey.com. June 14, 2021.
  57. ^ "New Mexico names Darren Banks as first Head Coach". na3hl.com. April 20, 2022.
  58. ^ "Point Mallard Ducks purchased and relocated to Milwaukee, Wisconsin". NA3HL. April 16, 2018.
  59. ^ "Quad City Jr. Flames to relocate to Madison, Wisconsin". NA3HL. May 2, 2013.
  60. ^ "Queen City Steam to become the Cincinnati Swords". NA3HL. April 16, 2013.
  61. ^ "NA3HL team announced in Scottsville, New York". NA3HL.com. May 21, 2018.
  62. ^ "NA3HL team in Rochester, MN announces new ownership group, name". North American Hockey League. April 4, 2018.
  63. ^ "NA3HL announces new team in Norwich, Connecticut". NA3HL. April 30, 2021.
  64. ^ "Sugar Land Imperials purchased and relocated to College Station, TX". Junior Hockey News. May 24, 2016.
  65. ^ "Topeka Capitals to relocate to Atlanta, Georgia". NA3HL. June 16, 2015.
  66. ^ "RiverWolves sold; Team to become Wausau Cyclones". NA3HL. April 23, 2021.
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