- See also: North American Hockey League and Ligue Nord-Américaine de Hockey.
The North American Hockey League was a low-level minor professional hockey league that existed from 1973 to 1977. The NAHL was one of two leagues, along with the Southern Hockey League, that were formed after the Eastern Hockey League ceased operations in 1973. The Lockhart Cup was the league's championship trophy. The league served as the inspiration for the movie, Slap Shot.
A milestone in professional hockey occured in the NAHL in 1975-76 when Jocelyn Hardy of the Beauce Jaros scored 208 regular season points in one season, thus becoming the first player to ever achieve this mark, five years before Wayne Gretzky did pass the 200 points mark for the first time in the much more competitive National Hockey League.
Teams
| Team name | Years | Seasons | City |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beauce Jaros | 1975–1977 | 2 | Saint-Georges, Quebec |
| Broome Dusters | 1973–1977 | 4 | Binghamton, New York |
| Buffalo Norsemen | 1975–1976 | 1 | North Tonawanda, New York |
| Cape Cod Cubs / Cape Codders | 1973–1976 | 3 | South Yarmouth, Massachusetts |
| Erie Blades | 1975–1977 | 2 | Erie, Pennsylvania |
| Johnstown Jets | 1973–1977 | 4 | Johnstown, Pennsylvania |
| Long Island Cougars | 1973–1975 | 2 | Commack, New York |
| Maine Nordiques | 1973–1977 | 4 | Lewiston, Maine |
| Mohawk Valley Comets | 1973–1977 | 4 | Utica, New York |
| Philadelphia Firebirds | 1974–1977 | 3 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Syracuse Blazers | 1973–1977 | 4 | Syracuse, New York |
Lockhart Cup
| Season | Champion | Finalist |
|---|---|---|
| 1973-74 | Syracuse Blazers | Long Island Cougars |
| 1974-75 | Johnstown Jets | Broome Dusters |
| 1975-76 | Philadelphia Firebirds | Beauce Jaros |
| 1976-77 | Syracuse Blazers | Maine Nordiques |