North Peace Hockey League 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 . The Formation of the NPHL . ( 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 claming 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 . " source : http : / / web . archive . org / web / 20070303054400 / http : / / www . nphlhockey . com / history . html Prior to the start of the 2014 - 15 season the league has started to openly question its future on the league ' s webite 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 Canucks sat out thier second straight season in 2014 - 15 . Fortunately , the Dawson Creek Canucks and High Prairie Regals returned for the 2015 - 16 season . Teams . Former Teams : Famous players . 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 . 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 . Other NHL Payers to don an NPHL jersey include : Ed Beers , Howard Walker . Champions . Peace River has won one more championship and Fahler has won 2 more championships , Grimshaw has won 4 more championships , and HIgh Prairie have each won 3 more championships all between 1972 and 1984 ( not sure on dates ) source for championship teams : http : / / www . discoverthepeacecountry . com / htmlpages / north _ peace _ hockey - archives / northpeacehockey - extra / history / history - game6 . html