The North Peace Hockey League is a Canadian men's Senior ice hockey league based in Northern Alberta and North Eastern British Columbia. It is not professional but the teams and players play at a reasonably high calibre. The NPHL draws several hundred fans to each game, with many games being sold out each night.
With a history that dates back to the early 1950s, the NPHL is the has the distinction of being one of the longest continually running senior hockey league currently in existence in western Canada. The league was down to two teams (Peace River Stampeders and High Prairie Regals) in the early 1970s, when it played an interlocking schedule with the South Peace Hockey League.
(PEACE RIVER - 1953) - It was in the fall of 1953 when steps were taken to form the North Peace Hockey League. On Oct. 14, 1953, the first official steps in forming the NPHL were taken when a meeting was held in Peace River. Representatives from McLennan, High Prairie and Peace River attended the meeting. Fairview and Falher were not present but indicated they were interested in joining the new league. People attending the meeting agreed to meet again Oct. 25 to further discuss plans for the new league. On Oct. 25, 1953 the NPHL was officially formed. Only representatives from Falher and Peace River attended the meeting but McLennan sent a letter saying they were definitely interested. Lee J. Boyd of Peace River was elected president with T. Dentinger of Falher vice-president and W.B. Skead of Peace River as secretary-treasurer. Final plans for the league were postponed until a meeting Nov. 8. On Nov. 1, 1953, the Wheat Belt Hockey League met in Fairview. The host Monarchs officials informed the Wheat Belt Hockey League they were leaving for the new NPHL. That left Grande Prairie, Dawson Creek and Hythe in the WBHL. Immediately, the WBHL decided to ask the NPHL to consider interlocking. Previously, the idea was discussed with teams attempting to form the NPHL. On Nov. 12, 1953, the NPHL met in Peace River and agreed on a four-team league comprised of Fairview, Falher, McLennan Peace River. Teams paid a $50 entry fee and a $200 performance bond. The NPHL agreed on an 18-game schedule that included interlocking games with the WBHL. On Nov. 18, 1953, the NPHL met and agreed on an interlocking schedule with the WBHL. On Wednesday, Dec. 16, 1953 the NPHL opened it season with the Peace River Stampeders losing 2-0 to the hometown Fairview Monarchs and the visiting Falher Pirates losing to the McLennan Red Wings 4-0. On Saturday, March 20, 1954 the Fairview Monarchs defeated the visiting Peace River Stampeders 4-3 to win the first NPHL championship. Captain Larry Harmata accepts a scroll as the Victory Cup does not arrive in Fairview in time for the presentation. The Victory Cup was not named for a team claiming victory in the league, rather it was named after the Peace River Victory Hotel, who sponsored the trophy. One week later in an interview, league president Lee J. Boyd says he is pleased with the NPHL's inaugural season. "The league is here to stay," he is quoted in the Peace River Record-Gazette. "All we have to do is stick together."
Prior to the start of the 2014-15 season the league has started to openly question its future on the league's website in the following post:
"A number of teams did not sign up to the NPHL this year, mainly due to player shortages. There are some in the league who are now fearing the NPHL could be nearing its end if the trend continues. Once a team misses a season, it becomes more difficult to make a comeback the next year. In the case of the Dawson Creek Canucks, last season they were having difficulty getting players. This year when long term players Adam Lonkin and Chris Stevens (some of the most dedicated players on the team) decided to retire from hockey, the rest followed suit, including some of executive who won't be back in the future. So this year, the league is down to 7 teams from 10 last year, but that still might change. Rumours have now surfaced that one of the teams that has signed up is talking about backing out because of lack of players. If that happens, it means a new schedule will have to be done. Stay tuned."
The High Prairie Regals dropped out after playing for 56 straight seasons in the league and the Dawson Creek Sr. Canucks sat out their second straight season in 2014-15. The Dawson Creek Sr Canucks and High Prairie Regals returned for the 2015-16 season.
An application for an expansion team for the 2019-20 season was received from La Crete, Alberta. The application was rejected in August of 2019 citing travel distance.
In October 2020, team managers met and decided to put the 2020-21 hockey season on hold due to the health restrictions in place in Alberta and BC. Another meeting will take place again in December to review the situation. Teams in the NPHL that had plans to participate this year included the Grande Prairie Athletics, Fort St. John Flyers, Dawson Creek Sr. Canucks, Grimshaw Huskies, Manning Comets and Falher Pirates. It appears the High Prairie Regals will not return again for this season.
With the unfortunate passing of long time NPHL Commissioner Jack McEvoy, changes in the league's executive were necessary. In September 2022, Michael Mercredi was elected as League Commissioner, with Treena Pasinchuk elected as Vice Commissioner. In October 2022, the league announced that the NPHL would return for the 2022-2023 season with 8 teams in 2 divisions., playing a 20 game regular season.
West Division - Dawson Creek Sr. Canucks, Grande Prairie Athletics, Spirit River Rangers and Fort St John Flyers.
East Division - Manning Comets, Falher Pirates, Valleyview Jets and Grimshaw Huskies.
In June 2024, the league announced the addition of the Fox Creek Knights who will play in the East Division.
On September 16th 2024 The Regals were accepted back into the NPHL at a league Zoom meeting, requested by league statistician Chris Clegg
Former NHL superstar Theoren Fleury played a season with the Horse Lake Thunder in 2004. The 2004 Horse Lake roster also included former NHL tough guy Gino Odjick, bubble players Sasha Lakovic and Dody Wood, Michigan Tech Athletic Hall of Famer Kip Noble. The Thunder had spent millions of dollars on a new arena, players and the team went on to win the championship that year in an attempt at winning the Allan Cup. The Thunder were defeated in the semi finals by a team from Thunder Bay. Former New York Rangers goalie and current St. Louis Blues president John Davidson played one season with the High Prairie Regals in the early 1970s.
Reg Bentley, one of the famous Bentleys of NHL fame was a player/coach for the High Prairie Regals for a couple years in the early 1960's. Roger Bellerive, who later spent a few years with the Portland Buckaroos of the old Western Professional Hockey League played for the Falher Pirates in the late 1950's. Former American Hockey League star, Fred Hilts played a few seasons for the Spirit River Rangers, who were then in the old South Peace Hockey League in the early 1960's.
Norm Skrudland, father of former NHL star Brian, starred with the Grimshaw Huskies in the early 1960's. Former San Jose Sharks property Todd Holt also spent time in the NPHL. As well, former NHL and AHL player Wade Campbell played in Grimshaw before and after his professional career.
