North American Hockey League

:see also North American Hockey League (1973–1977) (Former minor hockey league) and Ligue Nord-Américaine de Hockey (based out of Quebec
The North American Hockey League (NAHL) was founded in 1975 as the North American Hockey League. The league was renamed the North American Junior Hockey League in 1984. The league dropped the word "junior" from its title in 1992. The league merged defunct America West Hockey League merged in 2003 to form a 21-team Junior A Tier II league, sanctioned by USA Hockey. The NAHL currently acts as an alternative to the United States Hockey League (USHL). In 2010 the league reached an agreement with the Central States Hockey League for the CSHL to become a feeder league to the NAHL and the CSHL was renamed the North American 3 Hockey League.
The league currently consists of four divisions with a total of 24 teams. The teams span the United States from Massachusetts in the east to Alaska in the West. It also spans from Alaska in the north to Texas in the south. The teams play a 60-game regular season, starting in mid-September and ending in early April. Until the 2012-13 season the winner of each division will joined a host team of the Robertson Cup Championship Tournament, a five team round-robin event. The format was changed to a format where the highest remaining seed play the lowest remaining seed and the 2nd highest seed plays the 3rd highest seed in the semifinals and the semifinal winners meet in the final for the Robertson Cup (named after Chuck Robertson, former owner of the Paddock Pools Saints)http://nahl.com/history/nahl-history/index.cfm.
In the spring of 2015 Lewiston, Maine was approved as a location for a new team for the 2015-16 NAHL Season however, the ownership group withdrew the application citing a lack of time to get prepared for the season. The group stated that they are intending to re-apply for membership for the 2016-17 season, however no action was taken for 2016-17. The Brooklyn Aviators of the United States Premier Hockey League were working on purchasing the rights to the Flint, Michigan-based Michigan Warriors franchise who were left homeless as a result of the sale of the Compuware Arena in Plymouth Township, Michigan which had the USA Hockey National Team Development Program relocate to Plymouth and the subsequent relocation of the Plymouth Whalers of the Ontario Hockey League to Flint, this transaction did not come to fruition either.
On the afternoon of June 1, 2015 The Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees Twitter page posted the following: "Barring a last minute save this afternoon will mark the final day of operation for the NAHL RGV Killer Bees. Thanks to one and ALL!!". The website thejuniorhockeynews.com posted the story stating that the team was on its way to Aston, PA, which is the present home of the Eastern Hockey League's Philadelphia Little Flyers organization. The team was later saved in a tweet early evening on June 5th stated that the Killer Bees will be back during a 48 hour extension on finding local ownership. The team was apparently unable to find a local owner as it was on June 8th that the organization was moving to Aston, PA and were taking the name Aston Rebels.
On October 22, 2015 a press conference was held in Shreveport, Louisiana to announce the addition of the Shreveport Mudbugs. The previous Mudbugs teams was founded in 1997 and played in the Central Hockey League until folding in 2011. The Hirsch Colisuem is undergoing a $1.5 million upgrade and will once again have an ice surface. The new team will commence play with the start of the 2016-17 season.
On April 1, 2016 the league announced the addition of the Northeast Generals organization for the 2016-17 season. The organization had been accepted as a member of the North American 3 Eastern Hockey League for the 2015-16 season with a team that was based out of Canton, Massachusetts. The NAHL team will be based out of the New England Sports Village in Attleboro, MA. The team also announced plans to play some games at Walter Brown Arena on the campus of Boston University and Matthews Arena on the campus of Northeastern University. The NA3EHL (now NA3HL) team will continue to operate.
On April 30, 2018 the league announced that the Coulee Region Chill were sold and would be relocated about 90 miles (145km) north to Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin playing out of the Chippewa Area Ice Arena.  The team is being renamed to the Chippewa Steel.  In a related move the La Crosse Freeze of the North American 3 Hockey League will have their membership transferred to nearby Onalaska, Wisconsin and would become the Coulee Region Chill to replace the NAHL team in that city.http://nahl.com/news/story.cfm?id=24017
The Philadelphia Rebels announced the team was relocating to Jamestown, New York for the 2018-19 season.http://nahl.com/news/story.cfm?id=24195
On February 28, 2019 the announced the addition of two separate expansion teams that are schedule to join the league for the 2019-20 NAHL season, the Albuquerque based New Mexico Ice Wolveshttp://nahl.com/news/story.cfm?id=26279 and the Lewiston, Maine based Maine Nordiqueshttp://nahl.com/news/story.cfm?id=26277.
On June 3, 2019 the league's Board of Governors announced approval of the relocation of the Brookings Blizzard to St. Cloud, Minnesota for the 2019-20 season.  The team will be renamed the St. Cloud Blizzard and will be based out of the Dave Torre Arena in the St. Cloud Municipal Athletic Complex.http://nahl.com/news/story.cfm?id=27061
On October 15, 2019 the league announced the addition of a team to be based out of the Kay Yeager Coliseum in Wichita Falls, Texas for the 2020-21 season.http://nahl.com/news/story.cfm?id=27723 The team was later announced as being named the Wichita Falls Warriors.https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/weekly-sports-league-and-franchise-report/n-5581002
On May 11, 2020 the NAHL announced it had approved the relocation of the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights to Danbury, Connecticut for the 2020-21 season. The team will be named the Danbury Jr. Hat Tricks and play out of the Danbury Ice Arena.https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/nahl-announces-relocation-of-wbs-knights-to-danbury-connecticut/n-5619628http://nahl.com/news/story.cfm?id=29523
After being announced as relocating to the greater Kansas City area in late February of 2020http://nahl.com/news/story.cfm?id=29100, the Topeka Pilots are renamed the Kansas City Scouts on May 12th. The team will be based out of the the Kansas City Ice Center in Shawnee, Kansas.https://www.examiner.net/sports/20200512/kansas-city-scouts-name-revived-from-topeka-teamhttp://nahl.com/news/story.cfm?id=29519
==Teams==
Division	Team 	Arena 	Location
Central 	Aberdeen Wings 	Odde Ice Center 	Aberdeen, South Dakota
Central 	Austin Bruins 	Riverside Arena 	Austin, Minnesota
Central 	Bismarck Bobcats 	V.F.W. Sports Center 	Bismarck, North Dakota
Central 	Minnesota Wilderness 	Northwoods Credit Union Arena 	Cloquet, Minnesota
Central 	Minot Minotauros 	Maysa Arena 	Minot, North Dakota
Central 	St. Cloud Blizzard 	Dave Torrey Arena 	St. Cloud, Minnesota
Midwest 	Chippewa Steel 	Chippewa Area Ice Arena 	Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin
Midwest 	Fairbanks Ice Dogs 	Big Dipper Ice Arena/Red Baron Arena and Expo 	Fairbanks, Alaska/Marshall, Minnesota
Midwest 	Janesville Jets 	Janesville Ice Arena 	Janesville, Wisconsin
Midwest 	Kenai River Brown Bears 	Soldotna Sports Center/Breezy Point Hockey Center	Soldotna, Alaska/Breezy Point, Minnesota
Midwest 	Minnesota Magicians 	Richfield Ice Arena 	Richfield, Minnesota
East 	 	 	
East 	Danbury Jr. Hat Tricks 	Danbury Ice Arena 	Danbury, Connecticut
East 	Johnstown Tomahawks 	Cambria County War Memorial Arena 	Johnstown, Pennsylvania
East 	Maine Nordiques 	The Colisée 	Lewiston, Maine
East 	Maryland Black Bears 	Piney Orchard Ice Arena/Ice World 	Odenton, Maryland/Abingdon, Maryland
East 	New Jersey Junior Titans	Middletown Ice World Arena 	Middletown, New Jersey
East 	Northeast Generals 	New England Sports Village 	Attleboro, Massachusetts
South 	 	 	
South 	Amarillo Bulls 	Amarillo Civic Center 	Amarillo, Texas
South 	Lone Star Brahmas 	NYTEX Sports Centre 	North Richland Hills, Texas
South 	New Mexico Ice Wolves 	Outpost Ice Arenas/NYTEX Sports Centre 	Albuquerque, New Mexico/North Richland Hills, Texas
South 	Odessa Jackalopes 	Ector County Coliseum 	Odessa, Texas
South 	Shreveport Mudbugs 	Hirsch Coliseum 	Shreveport, Louisiana
South 	Wichita Falls Warriors 	Kay Yeager Coliseum 	Wichita Falls, Texas
South 	 	 	
South 	 	 	
===Future and Dormant Teams===
Division	Team 	Arena 	Location
Midwest 	Anchorage Wolverines (2021-22 expansion) 	Sullivan Arena 	Anchorage, Alaska
South 	Corpus Christi IceRays (COVID-19 Restrictions) 	American Bank Center 	Corpus Christi, Texas
South 	El Paso Rhinos (2022-23 expansion) 	Sierra Providence Event Center	El Paso, Texas
East 	Jamestown Rebels (COVID-19 Restrictions) 	Northwest Arena 	Jamestown, New York
South 	Amarillo Wranglers relocation of the Kansas City Scouts	Amarillo Civic Center 	Amarillo, Texas
Central 	North Iowa Bulls (relocation of Amarillo Bulls) 	Mason City MPA 	Mason City, Iowa
Midwest 	Springfield Jr. Blues (COVID-19 Restrictions) 	Nelson Center 	Springfield, Illinois
==Past teams (Including GLJHL years)==
Team 	Centre 	Arena 	Tenure 	Notes
Detroit Jr. Wings 	Detroit, Michigan 	 	1975-1983 	go on hiatus for 1983-84; return for 1984-85 as Detroit Compuware Ambassadors
Detroit Little Caesars 	Detroit, Michigan 	 	1975-1976 	withdrew from junior level competion but continue at youth levels
Oakland Chiefs 	Oakland, Michigan 	 	1975-1976 	become Wayne Chiefs
Paddock Pool Saints 	Ecorse, Michigan 	 	1975-1984 	fold
Port Huron Fogcutters 	Port Huron, Michigan 	McMorran Place 	1975-1976 	fold November 28, 1975
Cleveland Jr. Barons 	Brooklyn, Ohio 	Brooklyn Indoor Recreation Center 	1976-1979 	fold
Fraser Highlanders 	Fraser, Michigan 	Fraser Hockeyland 	1976-1980 	fold
Wayne Chiefs 	Wayne, Michigan 	Wayne Ice Arena 	1976-1980 	fold
Redford Royals 	Redford, Michigan 	Redford Arena 	1978-1984 	fold
Fraser Flags 	Fraser, Michigan 	Fraser Hockeyland 	1981-1984 	fold
Waterford Lakers 	Waterford, Michigan 	Lakeland Ice Arena 	1981-1982 	become Melvindale Lakers
Melvindale Lakers 	Melvindale, Michigan 	Melvindale Ice Arena 	1982-1983 	fold
St. Clair Falcons 	St. Clair Shores, Michigan 	St. Clair Shores Civic Arena 	1983-1987 	fold
Buffalo Jr. Sabres 	West Seneca, New York 	West Seneca Recreation Center 	1984-1986 	sit out 1986-87 season; return as Niagara Scenic
Detroit Compuware Ambassadors (NAHL) 	Oak Park, Michigan,Plymouth, Michigan	Oak Park Ice Arena 1994-1996Compuware Sports Arena 1996-2003	1984-2003 	fold
Hennessy Engineers 	Plymouth, Michigan 	Oak Park Ice Arena 	1985-1987 	become Redford Royals
Chicago Cougars (NAHL) 	 	 	1986-1987 	fold during season
Chicago Patriots 	 	 	1986-1987 	fold during season
Detroit Falcons (NAHL) 	Fraser, Michigan 	Fraser Hockeyland 	1986-1987 	fold
Bloomfield Jets 	Bloomfield, Michigan 	 	1987-1990 	relocated to Lakeland, Michigan; renamed Lakeland Jets
Chicago Young Americans 	 	 	1987-1990 	fold
Detroit Jr. Wings 	Fraser, Michigan 	Fraser Hockeyland 	1987-1992 	renamed Detroit Freeze
Niagara Scenic 	West Seneca, New York 	West Seneca Recreation Center 	1987-1994 	join Empire Junior Hockey League as Buffalo Lightning
Redford Royals 	Redford, Michigan 	Redford Arena 	1987-1989 	renamed NACE
C & H Piping 	Melvindale, Michigan 	Melvindale Ice Arena 	1988-1989 	renamed Melvindale Blades
Western Michigan Wolves 	Kalamazoo, Michigan 	Wings West 	1988-1989 	renamed Kalamazoo Jr. Wings
Indianapolis Jr. Ice 	Indianapolis, Indiana 	Pan American Arena 	1989-1995 	fold
Kalamazoo Jr. Wings 	Kalamazoo, Michigan 	Wings West 	1989-1994 	relocated to Danville, Illinois renamed Danville Wings
Melvindale Blades 	Melvindale, Michigan 	Melvindale Ice Arena 	1989-1990 	fold
NACE 	Plymouth, Michigan 	Compuware Arena 	1989-1990 	fold
Dearborn Magic 	Dearborn, Michigan 	Dearborn Ice Skating Center 	1990-1991 	renamed Michigan Nationals
Lakeland Jets 	Waterford, Michigan 	Lakeland Ice Arena 	1990-1995 	relocated to Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan; renamed Soo Indians
Lytes Rustlers 	N/A - Travel team 	N/A - Travel team 	1990-1991 	traveling team made up of players from US West Coast
Michigan Nationals 	Dearborn Heights, Michigan 	Canfield Ice Arena 	1991-1994 	renamed Dearborn Heights Nationals
Saginaw Gears (NAHL) 	Saginaw, Michigan 	Saginaw Bay Ice Arena 	1991-1995 	relocated  in December of 1995 to Gaylord, Michigan; renamed Gaylord Grizzlies
Detroit Freeze 	Fraser, Michigan 	Great Lakes Sports City Superior Arena 	1992-1997 	relocated to Chicago; renamed Chicago Freeze
Cleveland Jr. Barons 	Parma, Ohio 	Barons Ice Arena 	1993-2006 	join USHL as Ohio Jr. Blue Jackets
Springfield Jr. Blues 	Springfield, Illinois 	Nelson Center 	1993-present	
Danville Wings 	Danville, Illinois 	David S. Palmer Arena 	1994-1996 	moved to USHL
Dearborn Heights Nationals 	Dearborn Heights, Michigan 	Canfield Ice Arena 	1994-1996 	relocated to St. Louis; become St. Louis Sting
Gaylord Grizzlies 	Gaylord, Michigan 	Otsego County Sportsplex 	1995-1998 	relocated to Grand Rapids; renamed Grand Rapids Rockets
Soo Indians 	Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan 	Big Bear Ice Arena 	1995-2005 	fold
St. Louis Sting 	Chesterfield, Missouri 	U.S. Ice Sports Complex 	1996-2001 	moved to Springfield, Missouri; renamed St. Louis Bandits
Chicago Freeze 	Geneva, Illinois 	Fox Valley Ice Arena 	1997-2003 	fold
USA Hockey National Team Development Program	Ann Arbor, Michigan 	Ann Arbor Ice Cube 	1997-2009 	join USHL
Texas Tornado 	Frisco, Texas 	Dr Pepper Arena 	1998-2008 	sit out 2008-09 season due to arena renovations
Grand Rapids Bearcats 	Grand Rapids, Michigan 	Delta Plex Arena 	1999-1999 	renamed Grand Rapids Rockets during season
Rochester Junior Americans 	Rochester, New York 	ESL Sports Centre 	1999-2000 	withdrew
Grand Rapids Rockets 	Grand Rapids, Michigan 	Delta Plex Arena 	1999-2000 	moved to Lansing, Michigan; renamed Capital Centre Pride
Capital Centre Pride 	Dimondale, Michigan 	The Summit Sports and Ice Complex 	2000-2003 	fold
Pittsburgh Forge 	Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 	Island Sports Center 	2001-2003 	relocated to Toledo, Ohio; renamed Toledo IceDiggers
Springfield Spirit 	Springfield, Missouri 	Jordan Valley Ice Park 	2001-2005 	relocated to Wasilla, Alaska; renamed Wasilla Spirit
Billings Bulls 	Billings, Montana 	Centennial Ice Arena 	2003-2006 	join Northern Pacific Hockey League
Bismarck Bobcats 	Bismarck, North Dakota 	V.F.W. Sports Center 	2003-present	
Bozeman Icedogs 	Bozeman, Montana 	Haynes Pavilion 	2003-2006 	join Northern Pacific Hockey League
Central Texas Blackhawks 	Belton, Texas 	Bell County Expo Center 	2003-2004 	renamed Central Texas Marshals
Dayton Gems (NAHL) 	Dayton, Ohio 	Hara Arena 	2003-2004 	disolved after 21 games
Fairbanks Ice Dogs 	Fairbanks, Alaska 	Big Dipper Ice Arena 	2003-present	
Fargo-Moorhead Jets 	Fargo, North Dakota 	John E. Carlson Coliseum 	2003-2008 	go dormant when Fargo Force starts play in USHL
Fernie Ghostriders 	Fernie, British Columbia 	Fernie Memorial Arena 	2003-2004 	join Kootenay International Junior Hockey League
Helena Bighorns 	Helena, Montana 	Helena Ice Arena 	2003-2006 	join Northern Pacific Hockey League
Lone Star Cavalry 	North Richland Hills, Texas 	Blue Line Ice Center 	2003-2004 	relocated to Santa Fe, New Mexico; renamed Santa Fe RoadRunners
Minnesota Blizzard 	Alexandria, Minnesota 	Runestone Community Center 	2003-2006 	renamed Alexandria Blizzard
Texarkana Bandits 	Texarkana, Texas 	Four States Arena 	2003-2006 	relocated to St. Louis; renamed St. Louis Bandits
Toledo IceDiggers 	Toledo, Ohio 	Team Toledo Ice House 	2003-2005 	relocated to Alpena, Michigan; renamed Alpena Ice Diggers
Wichita Falls Rustlers 	Wichita Falls, Texas 	Kay Yeager Coliseum 	2003-2004 	renamed Wichita Falls Wildcats
Youngstown Phantoms 	Boardman, Ohio 	Boardman Ice Zone 	2003-2005 	renamed Mahoning Valley Phantoms
Central Texas Marshals 	Belton, Texas 	Bell County Expo Center 	2004-2005 	fold
Santa Fe RoadRunners 	Santa Fe, New Mexico 	Genoveva Chavez Community Center 	2004-2007 	relcoated to Topeka, Kansas; renamed Topeka RoadRunners
Wichita Falls Wildcats 	Wichita Falls, Texas 	Kay Yeager Coliseum 	2004-2017 	take hiatus for 2017-18 season; then fold during that period
Alpena IceDiggers 	Alpena, Michigan 	Northern Lights Arena 	2005-2010 	relocated to Corpus Christi, Texas; renamed Corpus Christi Rayz
Mahoning Valley Phantoms 	Boardman, Ohio 	Boardman, Ohio 	2005-2009 	relocated to Covelli Centre in Youngstown, Ohio and join USHL as Youngstown Phantoms
North Iowa Outlaws 	Mason City, Iowa 	North Iowa Ice Arena 	2005-2010 	relocated to Onalaska, Wisconsin; renamed Coulee Region Chill
Southern Minnesota Express 	Owatonna, Minnesota 	Four Seasons Centre 	2005-2008 	relocated to Wyandotte, Michigan; renamed Motor City Machine
Traverse City North Stars 	Traverse City, Michigan 	Centre Ice Arena 	2005-2012 	relocated to Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan; renamed Soo Eagles
Wasilla Spirit 	Wasilla, Alaska 	Curtis D. Menard Memorial Sports Center 	2005-2006 	renamed Alaska Avalanche
Alaska Avalanche 	Wasilla, Alaska 	Curtis D. Menard Memorial Sports Center 	2006-2012 	relocated to Johnstown, Pennsylvania; renamed Johnstown Tomahawks
Alexandria Blizzard 	Alexandria, Minnesota 	Runestone Community Center 	2006-2012 	relocated to Brookings, South Dakota; renamed Brookings Blizzard
Marquette Rangers 	Marquette, Michigan 	Lakeview Arena 	2006-2010 	relocated to Flint, Michigan; renamed Michigan Warriors
St. Louis Bandits 	Chesterfield, Missouri 	Hardee's Iceplex(known as Summit Center 2006-2008) 	2006-2012 	suspend operations; franchise rights used to form Cloquet, Minnesota based Minnesota Wilderness
Topeka RoadRunners 	Topeka, Kansas 	Landon Arena 	2007-2018 	Renamed Topeka Pilots
Kenai River Brown Bears 	Soldotna, Alaska 	Soldotna Sports Center 	2007-present	
Albert Lea Thunder 	Albert Lea, Minnesota 	Albert Lea City Arena 	2008-2010 	relocated to Amarillo, Texas; renamed Amarillo Bulls
Motor City Machine 	Wyandotte, Michigan 	Yack Arena 	2008-2009 	renamed Motor City Metal Jackets
Owatonna Express 	Owatonna, Minnesota 	Four Seasons Centre 	2008-2011 	relocated to Odessa, Texas; renamed Odessa Jackalopes
Wenatchee Wild 	Wenatchee, Washington 	Town Toyota Center 	2008-2013 	relocated to Hidalgo, Texas; renamed Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees (NAHL). replaced in Wenatchee by former Fresno Monsters
Janesville Jets 	Janesville, Wisconsin 	Janesville Ice Arena 	2009-present	
Motor City Metal Jackets 	Wyandotte, Michigan 	Yack Arena 	2009-2010 	relocated to Jamestown, New York; renamed Jamestown Ironmen
Texas Tornado 	Frisco, Texas 	Dr. Pepper Arena 	2009-2013 	
renamed Fort Worth Brahmas when sold and relocated to North Richland Hills, Texas
Aberdeen Wings 	Aberdeen, South Dakota 	Odde Ice Center 	2010-present	
Amarillo Bulls 	Amarillo, Texas 	Amarillo Bulls 	2010-2021 	relocated to Mason City, Iowa as North Iowa Bulls
Austin Bruins 	Austin, Minnesota 	Riverside Arena 	2010-present	
Chicago Hitmen 	Rolling Meadows, Illinois 	West Meadows Ice Arena 	2010-2013 	sit out 2013-14 season then fold
Corpus Christi IceRays (2010–) 	Corpus Christi, Texas 	American Bank Center 	2010-present	
Coulee Region Chill 	Onalaska, Wisconsin 	Onalaska OmniCenter 	2010-2018 	relocated to Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin; renamed Chippewa Steel
Dawson Creek Rage 	Dawson Creek, British Columbia 	EnCana Events Centre 	2010-2012 	fold after aborted attempt to join Alberta Junior Hockey League
Fresno Monsters 	Fresno, California 	Selland Arena 	2010-2013 	relocated to Wenatchee, Washington become second incarntion of Wenatchee Wild
Michigan Warriors 	Flint, Michigan 	Perani Arena and Event Center 	2010-2015 	forced out of existence when Plymouth Whalers of Ontario Hockey League relocated to Flint
New Mexico Mustangs 	Rio Rancho, New Mexico 	Santa Ana Star Center 	2010-2012 	 suspend operations; franchise rights transferred to Richfield, Minnesota; renamed Minnesota Magicians
Port Huron Fighting Falcons 	Port Huron, Michigan 	McMorran Place 	2010-2014 	relocated to Connellsville, Pennsylvania; renamed Keystone Ice Miners
Jamestown Ironmen 	Jamestown, New York 	Jamestown Savings Bank Ice Arena 	2011-2013 	suspend operations for 2013-14 season then fold
Minot Minotauros 	Minot, North Dakota 	Maysa Arena 	2011-present	
Kalamazoo Jr. K-Wings 	Kalamazoo, Michigan 	Wings West 	2011-2013 	ceased operations due to low attendance
Odessa Jackalopes 	Odessa, Texas 	Ector County Coliseum 	2011-present	
Brookings Blizzard 	Brookings, South Dakota 	Larson Ice Center 	2012-2019 	relocated to St. Cloud, Minnesota; renamed St. Cloud Blizzard
Johnstown Tomahawks 	Johnstown, Pennsylvania 	Cambria County War Memorial Arena 	2012-present	
Soo Eagles 	Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan 	Pullar Stadium 	2012-2015 	
rejoin Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League; franchise rights to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights for 2015-16
Fort Worth Brahmas 	North Richland Hills, Texas 	NYTEX Sports Centre 	2013-2013 	renamed Lone Star Brahmas when sold
Laredo NAHL team 	Laredo, Texas 	Laredo Energy Arena 	2013 	conditional expansion team; fell through
Lone Star Brahmas 	Fort Worth, Texas 	NYTEX Sports Centre 	2013-present	
Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees (NAHL) 	Hidalgo, Texas 	State Farm Arena 	2013-2015 	relocated to Aston, Pennsylvania; renamed Aston Rebels
Wenatchee Wild 	Wenatchee, Washington 	Town Toyota Center 	2013-2015 	join British Columbia Hockey League
Minnesota Magicians 	Richfield, Minnesota 	Richfield Ice Arena 	2013-present	
Minnesota Wilderness 	Cloquet, Minnesota 	Northwoods Credit Union Arena 	2013-present	
Keystone Ice Miners 	Connellsville, Pennsylvania 	The Ice Mine 	2014-2015 	taken over by league in December 2014; franchise rights to New Jersey Junior Titans for 2015-16 season
Aston Rebels 	Aston, Pennsylvania 	IceWorks Skating Complex 	2015-2017 	renamed Jamestown Rebels
Lewiston, Maine NAHL expansion team 	Lewiston, Maine 	Androscoggin Bank Colisee 	2015-2015 	announced expansion team for 2015-16; then withdrew citing lack of prep time; then cease operations
New Jersey Junior Titans 	Middletown, New Jersey 	Middletown Ice World Arena 	2015-present	
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights 	Pittston, Pennsylvania 	Revolution Ice Center 	2015-2020 	relocated to Danbury, Connecticut as Danbury Jr. Hat Tricks
Northeast Generals 	Attleboro, Massachusetts 	New England Sports Village 	2016-present	
Shreveport Mudbugs (NAHL) 	Shreveport, Louisiana 	Hirsch Coliseum 	2016-present	
Philadelphia Rebels 	Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 	Penn Ice Rink at the Class of 1923 Arena 	2017-2019 	relocated to Jamestown, New York; renamed Jamestown Rebels
Chippewa Steel 	Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin 	Chippewa Area Ice Arena 	2018-present	
Topeka Pilots 	Topeka, Kansas 	Landon Arena 	2018-2020 	Relocated to Shawnee, Kansas as Kansas City Scouts (NAHL)
Jamestown Rebels 	Jamestown, New York 	Northwest Arena 	2019-present	
Maine Nordiques (NAHL) 	Lewiston, Maine 	Androscoggin Bank Colisée 	2019-present	
Maryland Black Bears 	Odenton, Maryland 	Piney Orchard Ice Arena 	2019-present	
New Mexico Ice Wolves 	Albuquerque, New Mexico 	Outpost Ice Arenas 	2019-present	
St. Cloud Blizzard 	St. Cloud, Minnesota 	St. Cloud Municipal Athletic Complex 	2019-2020 	renamed St. Cloud Norsemen
Wichita Falls Warriors 	Wichita Falls, Texas 	Kay Yeager Coliseum 	2020-present	
St. Cloud Norsemen 	St. Cloud, Minnesota 	St. Cloud Municipal Athletic Complex 	2020-present	
Danbury Jr. Hat Tricks 	Danbury, Connecticut 	Danbury Ice Arena 	2020-present	
Kansas City Scouts (NAHL) 	Shawnee, Kansas 	Kansas City Ice Center 	2020-2020 	go inactive for 2020-21; sold and relocated to Amarillo, Texas as Amarillo Wranglers (NAHL) for 2022-23 season.
Anchorage Wolverines 	Anchorage, Alaska 	Sullivan Arena 	2021- 	
El Paso Rhinos 	El Paso, Texas 	Sierra Providence Event Center 	2022- 	Join from Western States Hockey League, Announced for 2021-22 but deferred to 2022-23 due to COVID-16 and other logistical issues
Amarillo Wranglers (NAHL) 	Amarillo, Texas 	Amarillo Civic Center 	2022- 	
==League changes==
2006–2007 season: Bozeman Icedogs, Billings Bulls, and Helena left the league for the Northern Pacific Hockey League. Cleveland Jr. Barons were granted inactive status for the season. Wasilla Spirit changed name to Alaska Avalanche. Minnesota Blizzard changed name to Alexandria Blizzard. Texarkana Bandits moved to Chesterfield, Missouri and changed name to St. Louis Bandits. Marquette Rangers were added to the league.
2007–2008 season: Santa Fe Roadrunners moved to Topeka, Kansas. The Topeka Roadrunners now play at Landon Arena. The Kenai River Brown Bears started playing in the league.
2008-2009 season: The Southern Minnesota Express moved to Detroit and changed their name to the Motor City Machine.NAHL.com, Machine Motors into Michigan, 2nd May 2008 However, the Express' home city of Owatonna was granted another NAHL team for 2008-09, named the Owatonna Express. NAHL.com, Owatonna membership approved for 2008-09, 19th May 2008. The Express are joined by another new Minnesota NAHL franschise, the Albert Lea Thunder. Startribune.com, Albert Lea awarded NAHL franchise, 1st May 2008 The Texas Tornado franchise will go dark for a year as they await renovations on their arena. Wenatchee, Washington has been awarded an expansion franchise for the 2008-09 season. Wenatchee World, Finally we have a hockey team, 14th May 2008 The Fargo-Moorhead Jets are approved for dormancy. .NAHL.com, Fargo-Moorhead ceases operations, 19th May 2008
2009-2010 season: The Janesville Jets are awarded an expansion franchise. NAHL.com, Jets touch down in Janesville, 5th June 2009 The Mahoning Valley Phantoms leave the league for the USHL. NAHL.com, Zoldan, NAHL make a deal, 13th August 2009 The USNTDP also leave the league. NAHL.com, NTDP to no longer compete in NAHL, 26th February 2008 The Texas Tornado return to the league after taking a year off while their home arena was undergoing renovations. NAHL.com, Tornado to hit the ice again in 2009-10, 29th April 2009 The Motor City franchise's new ownership changes the team's nickname from Machine to Metal Jackets. NAHL.com, Motor City changes nickname, logo, 25th June 2009
2010-2011 season: The NAHL Board of Governors accepted membership of several new teams to play this season in the league. The Fresno Monsters are awarded an expansion franchise. The Monsters played in the Tier III A Western States Hockey League before getting switched over to the North American Hockey League for the 2010-2011 season. They will play at the Selland Arena in Fresno, California. The Corpus Christi IceRays relocated from Alpena, Michigan. They will play in the South Division at the American Bank Center in Corpus Christi, Texas. The Chicago Hitmen joined the North Division and will play starting this season at West Meadows Ice Arena in Rolling Meadows, Illinois. The Marquette Rangers moved to Flint, Michigan and changed their name to Michigan Warriors. The Michigan Warriors will play in the North Division at the Perani Arena and Event Center. Port Huron joined the North Division and will play starting this season at McMorran Place in Port Huron, Michigan. The Coulee Region Chill joined the Central Division and will play at Onalaska OmniCenter in Onalaska, Wisconsin. The Aberdeen Wings joined the Central Division and will play at the Odde Ice Center in Aberdeen, South Dakota. The Austin Bruins joined the Central Division and will play at the Riverside Arena in Austin, Minnesota. The Dawson Creek Rage joined the West Division and will play at EnCana Events Centre in Dawson Creek, British Columbia. The Amarillo Bulls joined the South Division and will play at Amarillo Civic Center in Amarillo, Texas. The New Mexico Mustangs joined the South Division and will play at Santa Ana Star Center in Rio Rancho, New Mexico.
2011-12 season: The Motor City Metal Jackets relocated to Jamestown, New York and are renamed the Jamestown Ironmen. The Owatonna Express relocate to Odessa, Texas and are renamed the Odessa Jackalopes replacing the CHL team.
2012-13 season: The New Mexico Mustangs sit out the season. The Traverse City North Stars were sold and relocated to Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan and were renamed the Soo Eagles.  The Alaska Avalanche were sold and moved to Johnstown, Pennsylvania and were renamed the Johnstown Tomahawks. The Alexandria Blizzard relocate to Brookings, South Dakota and are renamed the Brookings Blizzard.  The St. Louis Bandits suspend operations.  The Dawson Creek Rage folded after a failed attempt to join the Alberta Junior Hockey League.  The Chicago Hitmen originally annouce they will sit out the season but they fold on May 11, 2012.
2013-14 season: The Wenatchee Wild relocated to Hidalgo, Texas and are renamed the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees and are replaced in Wenatchee by the Fresno Monsters who take over the Wild name.  The Texas Tornado are renamed the Fort Worth Brahmas and then the Lone Star Brahmas when the sale of the franchise is completed.  The Kalamazoo Jr. K-Wings ceased operations. The Jamestown Ironmen go inactive for the season (they would fold prior to the 2014-15 season). The St. Louis Bandits franchise is transferred to Cloquet, Minnesota, where the team becomes known as the Minnesota Wilderness.  An expansion team is awarded to Richfield, Minnesota that becomes known as the Minnesota Magicians.
On May 9, 2014 it was announce the Port Huron Fighting Falcons were approved for relocation to Connellsville, Pennsylvania for the 2014-15 season.  The team will be known as the Keystone Ice Miners. The team would end up being taken over by the league in December 2014 and run until the end of the season when the franchise was folded
The Michigan Warriors were informed that there lease would not be renewed at the Perani Arena and Event Center in Flint, Michigan as the former Plymouth Whalers would move to the arena after their arena in Plymouth, Michigan is sold to USA Hockey with the intent of making the arena home to the USA Hockey National Team Development Program.
On April 30, 2015 the Wenatchee Wild were approved by USA Hockey and Hockey Canada to transfer from the NAHL to the British Columbia Hockey League.  The Wild had been trying since 2013 to make this transfer but could not get approval from both national governing bodies.  The Wild organization motivation for the move was simply that the BCHL was a better fit travel wise, with the potential savings of tens of thousands of dollars just on travel expenses.
On May 1, 2015 the league announced the addition of the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights organization from the Eastern Hockey League.
For the 2016-17 season the league has announced the addition of the Shreveport Mudbugs (replacing a former Central Hockey League team that folded in 2011) and the Northeast Generals (based in Attleboro, Massachusetts, but will also play some home games in Boston at Walter Brown Arena (Boston University) and Matthews Arena (Northeastern University).  The Generals will continue to operate their franchise in the North American 3 Hockey League which was launched for the 2015-16 season.
For 2017-18 the Wichita Falls Wildcats go on hiatus. They would fold during the season. The Aston Rebels are renamed the Philadelphia Rebels when they relocate to the Penn Ice Rink at the Class of 1923 Arena.
For 2018-19 the Philadelphia Rebels relocated to Jamestown, New York and are renamed the Jamestown Rebels. The Coulee Region Chill are sold and moved to Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin where they become the Chippewa Steel. The league adds an expansion team based out of Odenton, Maryland to be named the Maryland Black Bears.
== Robertson Cup winners ==
*2024 - Lone Star Brahmas
*2023 - Oklahoma Warriors
*2022 - New Jersey Titans
*2021 - Shreveport Mudbugs
*2020 - Playoffs cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic
*2019 - Aberdeen Wings
*2018 - Shreveport Mudbugs
*2017 - Lone Star Brahmas
*2016 - Fairbanks Ice Dogs
*2015 - Minnesota Wilderness
*2014 - Fairbanks Ice Dogs
*2013 - Amarillo Bulls
*2012 - St. Louis Bandits
*2011 - Fairbanks Ice Dogs
*2010 - Bismarck Bobcats
*2009 - St. Louis Bandits
*2008 - St. Louis Bandits
*2007 - St. Louis Bandits
*2006 - Texas Tornado
*2005 - Texas Tornado
*2004 - Texas Tornado
*2003 - Pittsburgh Forge
*2002 - Detroit Compuware Ambassadors
*2001 - Texas Tornado
*2000 - Danville Wings
*1999 - Detroit Compuware Ambassadors
*1998 - Detroit Compuware Ambassadors
*1997 - Springfield Jr. Blues
*1996 - Springfield Jr. Blues
*1995 - Detroit Compuware Ambassadors
*1994 - Detroit Compuware Ambassadors
*1993 - Kalamazoo Jr. Wings
*1992 - Detroit Compuware Ambassadors
*1991 - Kalamazoo Jr. Wings
*1990 - Detroit Compuware Ambassadors
*1989 - Detroit Compuware Ambassadors
*1988 - Detroit Compuware Ambassadors
*1987 - Detroit Compuware Ambassadors
*1986 - Detroit Compuware Ambassadors
*1985 - St. Clair Falcons
*1984 - St. Clair Falcons
*1983 - Paddock Pool Saints
*1982 - Paddock Pool Saints
*1981 - Paddock Pool Saints
*1980 - Paddock Pool Saints
*1979 - Paddock Pool Saints
*1978 - Paddock Pool Saints
*1977 - Paddock Pool Saints
*1976 - Detroit Little Caesars
==League Tie-Breakers==
For playoff standings the league using the following steps for breaking ties:
*1. Most wins during the regular season
*2. Head-to-head record
*3. Head-to-head goal differential
*4. League play goal differential
*5. Coin flip
==References==
==See Also==
List of NAHL Seasons
==External links==
* North American Hockey League
Category:North American Hockey League
Category:Ice hockey leagues