This is the 2021-22 North American Hockey League season. This is the league's 37th season under this name and its 47th dating back to its founding as the Great Lakes Junior Hockey League in 1975 when the Michigan Junior Hockey League and the Wolverine Junior A Hockey League merged.
Membership Changes[]
On June 16, 2020 the El Paso Rhinos were added to the North American 3 Hockey League for the 2020-21 season from the Western States Hockey League. They will also join the NAHL for the 2021-22 season.[1]
On August 24th, 2020 the Corpus Christi IceRays announced they would be taking a one year leave of absence.[2] The team would return for the 2021-22 season
On August 26th, the Fairbanks Ice Dogs were reportedly relocating to Marshall, Minnesota for the 2020-21 season due to quarantine and testing restrictions in the state of Alaska making playing in Alaska not feasible.[3] The team will be based out of the Red Baron Arena and Expo for the season.[4] The team would return to the Big Dipper Ice Arena on April 22nd for the balance of the season.[5] A few days later it was reported that the Kenai River Brown Bears were also relocating to an undisclosed location in Minnesota. The New Mexico Ice Wolves also announced that they would be relocating to El Paso, Texas due to restrictions in place in the state of New Mexico.[6]. They would end up using the NYTEX Sports Centre in North Richland Hills, Texas as their home for part of the season. The Kenai River Brown Bears would later be announced as relocating operations to Anoka, Minnesota and would play their games at the Breezy Point Hockey Center in Breezy Point, Minnesota which lost their North American 3 Hockey League team after last season.[7] The Ice Wolves would return to the Outpost Ice Arenas in Albuquerque with a game on April 8th[8] and remain there for the balance of the season. The Brown Bears would return to the Soldotna Sports Center with a game on April 23rd and play the balance of their home games there.[9]
On September 16, 2020 the Springfield Jr. Blues announced they would be suspending operations for the 2020-21 season citing the state of Illinois not allowing gatherings of 50 or more.[10] The team would return for the 2021-22 season.
Over the weekend of September 19-20, 2020 word was announced that the Jamestown Rebels were going dormant for the 2020-21 season. Based on the state of New York not allowing spectators at events this year and that USA Hockey would not sanction play in the state meaning it would not cover insurance for the teams in the state.[11] The Rebels announcement was being held off as the team owner was trying to find a temporary home in either South Dakota or Wisconsin.[12] The team would return for the 2021-22 season.
On March 5, 2021, the league announced the Board of Governors approval of the relocation of the Amarillo Bulls to Mason City, Iowa to be based out of the Mason City MPA. The ownership of the team already operates a team in the North American 3 Hockey League out of the arena. The former Amarillo Bulls will also take the name North Iowa Bulls.[13] On June 1st the NA3HL franchise was announced as being renamed the Mason City Toros.[14]
On March 22, 2021, the league announced the addition of the Anchorage Wolverines to the league for the 2021-22 playing season. The team will be a member of the Midwest Division. It appears the team is to be based out of the Sullivan Arena.[15]
On May 21, 2021, the league announced that the Kansas City Scouts (NAHL) had been sold and would be relocated to Amarillo, Texas taking the name Amarillo Wranglers as an homage to the former Amarillo Wranglers of the late 1960's and early 1970's and replacing the Amarillo Bulls who relocated to Mason City, Iowa for the 2021-22 season. The team will be based out of the Amarillo Civic Center.[16] The team will take to the ice for the 2021-22 season. as opposed to the Scouts who were planning on returning to play with the 2022-23 season.
On March 16, 2022 the league announced that the Minnesota Magicians had been sold and would relocate to the Eagle River Stadium in Eagle River, Wisconsin for the 2022-23 season.[17] On May 3, 2022 the team was announced as being renamed the Wisconsin Windigo.[18]
On April 4, 2022 the Wichita Falls Warriors announced that they had mutually agreed with the city of Wichita Falls, Texas to part ways.[19] On April 5th the league announced they had approved the relocation of the francishe to the Blazers Ice Centre in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma where they would be renamed the Oklahoma Warriors for the 2022-23 playing season.[20]
On May 17, 2022, the Jamestown Rebels announced that the team had been sold and would be relocated to the Hollydell Ice Arena in Sewell, New Jersey for the 2022-23 season. The name will revert to the Philadelphia Rebels moniker.[21]
Teams[]
Standings[]
Central Division[]
| Team | GP | W | L | OL | SL | GF | GA | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Cloud Norsemen | 60 | 41 | 16 | 2 | 1 | 230 | 153 | 85 |
| Austin Bruins | 60 | 31 | 23 | 3 | 3 | 178 | 186 | 68 |
| Aberdeen Wings | 60 | 31 | 24 | 3 | 2 | 186 | 184 | 67 |
| Bismarck Bobcats | 60 | 29 | 27 | 1 | 3 | 210 | 206 | 62 |
| Minot Minotauros | 60 | 28 | 29 | 2 | 1 | 173 | 184 | 59 |
| North Iowa Bulls | 60 | 22 | 28 | 4 | 6 | 194 | 234 | 54 |
East Division[]
| Team | GP | W | L | OL | SL | GF | GA | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Titans | 60 | 41 | 16 | 3 | 0 | 226 | 163 | 85 |
| Johnstown Tomahawks | 60 | 34 | 20 | 4 | 2 | 225 | 184 | 74 |
| Jamestown Rebels | 60 | 35 | 22 | 2 | 1 | 181 | 164 | 73 |
| Northeast Generals | 60 | 35 | 24 | 0 | 1 | 199 | 200 | 71 |
| Maryland Black Bears | 60 | 29 | 19 | 6 | 6 | 189 | 176 | 70 |
| Maine Nordiques | 60 | 22 | 27 | 6 | 5 | 200 | 243 | 55 |
| Danbury Jr. Hat Tricks | 60 | 12 | 42 | 5 | 1 | 153 | 258 | 30 |
Midwest Division[]
| Team | GP | W | L | OL | SL | GF | GA | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fairbanks Ice Dogs | 60 | 37 | 20 | 1 | 2 | 238 | 179 | 77 |
| Springfield Jr. Blues | 60 | 36 | 20 | 2 | 2 | 211 | 177 | 76 |
| Anchorage Wolverines | 60 | 33 | 19 | 4 | 4 | 208 | 166 | 74 |
| Minnesota Wilderness | 60 | 35 | 23 | 1 | 1 | 216 | 203 | 72 |
| Janesville Jets | 60 | 34 | 25 | 0 | 1 | 227 | 208 | 69 |
| Minnesota Magicians | 60 | 25 | 26 | 6 | 3 | 197 | 231 | 59 |
| Chippewa Steel | 60 | 25 | 31 | 2 | 2 | 168 | 206 | 54 |
| Kenai River Brown Bears | 60 | 14 | 41 | 3 | 2 | 147 | 256 | 33 |
South Division[]
| Team | GP | W | L | OL | SL | GF | GA | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lone Star Brahmas | 60 | 38 | 12 | 5 | 5 | 197 | 144 | 86 |
| New Mexico Ice Wolves | 60 | 38 | 17 | 2 | 3 | 193 | 145 | 81 |
| Wichita Falls Warriors | 60 | 35 | 17 | 5 | 3 | 220 | 150 | 78 |
| Shreveport Mudbugs | 60 | 34 | 21 | 1 | 4 | 170 | 154 | 73 |
| Odessa Jackalopes | 60 | 29 | 26 | 1 | 4 | 193 | 193 | 63 |
| Amarillo Wranglers (NAHL) | 60 | 27 | 29 | 1 | 3 | 149 | 182 | 58 |
| Corpus Christi IceRays | 60 | 25 | 32 | 2 | 1 | 166 | 213 | 53 |
| El Paso Rhinos | 60 | 15 | 41 | 2 | 2 | 131 | 233 | 34 |
Robertson Cup Playoffs[]
Format[]
The top four teams in each division qualify for the playoffs. The first place team plays the fourth place team and the second place team plays the third place team in a best-of-five series over two weekends. The division semifinal winners meet in a best-of-five series over two weekends. The division winners advance to the Robertson Cup tournament. The event will be held at the Fogerty Arena in Blaine, Minnesota May 20 to 24, 2022. The teams are seeded 1 to 4 and are paired off 1 vs 4 and 2 vs 3 in best-of-three series. The semifinal winners meet in a single championship game on May 24th.
Central Division Semifinals[]
- St. Cloud Norsemen defeated Bismarck Bobcats 3 games to 2
- Aberdeen Wings defeated Austin Bruins 3 games to none
East Division Semifinals[]
- New Jersey Titans defeated Northeast Generals 3 games to 2
- Jamestown Rebels defeated Johnstown Tomahawks 3 games to 2
Midwest Division Semifinals[]
- Minnesota Wilderness defeated Fairbanks Ice Dogs 3 games to 2
- Anchorage Wolverines defeated Springfield Jr. Blues 3 games to none
South Division Semifinals[]
- Lone Star Brahmas defeated Shreveport Mudbugs 3 games to 1
- New Mexico Ice Wolves defeated Wichita Falls Warriors 3 games to 2
Central Division Final[]
- St. Cloud Norsemen defeated Aberdeen Wings 3 games to 1
East Division Final[]
- New Jersey Titans defeated Jamestown Rebels 3 games to 1
Midwest Division Final[]
- Anchorage Wolverines defeated Minnesota Wilderness 3 games to 1
South Division Final[]
- New Mexico Ice Wolves defeated Lone Star Brahmas 3 games to 2
Robertson Cup[]
The semifinal round and the championship game will be held May 20 to May 24 at the Fogerty Arena in Blaine, Minnesota. The semifinal pairings are based upon regular season point percentage with the teams matched up 1st vs 4th and 2nd vs 3rd.
Seeding[]
Semifinals[]
(Best-of-three - May 20-22)
- Anchorage Wolverines defeated St. Cloud Norsemen 2 games to none
- New Jersey Titans defeated New Mexico Ice Wolves 2 games to 1
Championship Game[]
(Single game - May 24th)
- New Jersey Titans defeated Anchorage Wolverines 3-0
References[]
- ↑ https://www.aberdeennews.com/sports/professional/wings/nahl-approves-el-paso-texas-team-for-2021-22/article_2b1ce9be-b00a-11ea-8401-6bcd813acc2e.html
- ↑ http://www.nahl.com/news/story.cfm?id=29793
- ↑ https://thejuniorhockeynews.com/nahl-fairbanks-moves-to-marshall-minnesota/
- ↑ https://marshsports.com/fairbanksicedogs/
- ↑ http://nahl.com/game-center/#/game-summary/31188
- ↑ https://thejuniorhockeynews.com/nahl-has-two-more-temporary-relocations/
- ↑ https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/weekly-sports-league-and-franchise-report/n-5642224
- ↑ http://nahl.com/game-center/#/game-summary/30956
- ↑ http://nahl.com/game-center/#/game-summary/31176
- ↑ http://nahl.com/news/story.cfm?id=29842
- ↑ https://thejuniorhockeynews.com/nahl-jamestown-goes-dark/
- ↑ https://www.juniorhockey.com/news/news_detail.php?news_id=94040
- ↑ http://www.nahl.com/news/story.cfm?id=31228
- ↑ http://www.na3hl.com/news/story.cfm?id=32028
- ↑ http://nahl.com/news/story.cfm?id=31385
- ↑ http://nahl.com/news/story.cfm?id=31948
- ↑ http://nahl.com/news/story.cfm?id=34014
- ↑ http://www.nahl.com/news/story.cfm?id=34382
- ↑ https://twitter.com/WFWarriorsNAHL/status/1511153179043446787
- ↑ https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/wichita-falls-warriors-announce-relocation-to-oklahoma-city/n-5807909
- ↑ https://www.rebelshockey.us/rebels-franchise-sold-team-to-relocate-to-new-jersey