North American Hockey League

[Jarrod32]

Found out that Aberdeen is getting a minor league hockey team in this league. They will be in a division with Alexandria Blizzard, Albert Lea Thunder, Owatonna Express, Bismarck Bobcats, and North Iowa Outlaws.

Looks like a level of hockey of high school players, or maybe a year or two out of high school. It looks like the better players from this league move on to major college hockey, or up a level (maybe to USHL).

Anyone familiar with this league? As a Minnesota transplant in South Dakota, I find that I am a bit starved for live hockey...I'm pretty excited, even though it is a low level league.

[spearchucker]

I've been to some of the Owatonna Express games. It is pretty good hockey.

[so haaad]

It's not quite college level, but still decent. It's definitely worth checking out.

[10,000 Casts]

Very good hockey. Some physical play and good fights.

[chief]

The NAHL has made huge strides in its talent level in the last two years. Though still a noticeable (but small) level below the USHL, the NAHL has benefitted from the huge numbers of "better than average" high school players ignored by USHL and college scouts. A good number of NAHL alums are jumping to the D1 level, and this can only attract more talent. Additionally, the NAHL offers geographical options for prospects unsure about a long distance move. In a couple of years, there'll be little difference between this league and the USHL.

[Jarrod32]

Yeah...I see where the Aberdeen team is having tryouts all over the upper midwest. Unless those are league-wide tryouts? I don't think so, though.

And I also see that Austin has an expansion team in this league, as well. Looks like they are going with the name "Austin Bruins". Heh.

Seriously. The joke is that I'm not kidding.