North American 3 Hockey League
The North American 3 Hockey League (NA3HL) is an American Tier III junior ice hockey league that consists of teams from Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. Sanctioned by USA Hockey, for most of the league's existence, the winner of the NA3HL playoffs would advance to play for the Tier III National Championship, however, this has not been held since 2015.
![]() | |
Sport | Ice hockey |
---|---|
Founded | 1970s |
No. of teams | 34 |
Country | United States |
Most recent champion(s) | North Iowa Bulls (2021) |
Official website | www.na3hl.com |
History
Originally formed in the early 1970s as a Junior B-level league known as the Central States Hockey League (CSHL), the league evolved into the Metro Detroit Junior Hockey League in the early 1980s. The CSHL name was used again from 1994 until 2010. The league was reclassified from Tier III Junior B to Tier III Junior A in the summer of 2007 by USA Hockey.

During the 2008β09 season, it was announced that the Pittsburgh Jr. Penguins would join the CSHL for the 2009β10 season, bringing the number of teams to 13. The league returned to 12 teams for 2010β11, as the Dubuque Thunderbirds franchise folded to make way for the return of the Dubuque Fighting Saints in the United States Hockey League.
On November 1, 2010, it was announced that the North American Hockey League would take control of the CSHL. The NAHL-CSHL affiliation intends for a more structured junior hockey system to provide athletes with more opportunities to advance to college and professional hockey, including a draft of CSHL players into the NAHL. At the time of the take over, the league was renamed to the North American 3 Hockey League (NA3HL).[1]
In May 2011, it was announced that the Granite City Lumberjacks, Minnesota Flying Aces, North Iowa Bulls and the Twin City Steel would join the league beginning with the 2011β12 season bringing the total number of teams in the NA3HL to 16.
In March 2013, the NA3HL announced that its Board of Governors has accepted the membership application for the Chicago Jr. Bulldogs, which began play in the NA3HL during the 2013β14 season. Owned by Ken Kestas, the Bulldogs played home games out of Canlan Ice Sports in Romeoville, Illinois.
Quad City Jr. Flames (Davenport, Iowa) relocated to Madison, Wisconsin, in May 2013 and were renamed the Wisconsin Whalers.[2]
In May 2014, the Flint Jr. Generals were purchased and relocated to La Crosse, Wisconsin, and renamed the La Crosse Freeze. The NA3HL announced that the Texas Jr. Brahmas would transfer from the Western States Hockey League and join the South Division.[3] The expansion Nashville Junior Predators and Point Mallard Ducks (Decatur, AL) also joined the South Division bringing its total up to six teams.[3] The American West Hockey League moved to the NA3HL to form new Frontier Division.[4] The Battle Creek Revolution announced it was re-branding as the West Michigan Wolves. The Michigan Mountain Cats were sold and relocated to Jamestown, NY, and called the Southern Tier Xpress.
In April 2015, the NA3HL announced an expansion team in Evansville, Indiana, called the Thunderbolts, to play in the South Division beginning in the 2015β16 season.[5] On May 21β22 of 2015, two additional expansion teams were announced: Rochester Ice Hawks, a member of the former Minnesota Junior Hockey League, was added the West Division,[6] and the Louisiana Drillers playing out of Lafayette, Louisiana was added to the South Division.[7]
On March 4, 2016, it was formally announced that the North American Hockey League's other Tier III league, the North American 3 Eastern Hockey League (NA3EHL), would be added to the NA3HL beginning with the 2016β17 season.[8] The former NA3EHL teams became two new divisions within the NA3HL. On May 21, 2016, the Missoula Bruins youth hockey organization from Missoula, Montana, announced it had been approved as an expansion team in the Frontier Division of the NA3HL. The Missoula Junior Bruins replaced the Missoula Maulers of the Western States Hockey League after arena negotiations with the Maulers' owner fell through.[9]
Prior to the 2017β18 season, the Lockport Express relocated to become the Niagara Falls PowerHawks, the Syracuse Stampede relocated to become the Oswego Stampede, and the West Michigan Wolves relocated to become the Lansing Wolves. The Chicago Jr. Bulldogs, Euless Jr. Stars, and L/A Fighting Spirit franchises were sold; the Bulldogs were relocated as the Wausau RiverWolves, the Jr. Stars re-branded as the Mid-Cities Jr. Stars, and the Fighting Spirit re-branded as the Lewiston/Auburn Nordiques. The Cincinnati Thunder, which had already been playing out of Dayton, re-branded as the Dayton Falcons. The Butte Cobras, formerly of the Western States Hockey League (WSHL), purchased the Glacier Nationals franchise in order to join the NA3HL. The schedule was set with 47 teams, however, the Butte Cobras and Billings Bulls would both fold prior to playing a game, while the Dayton Falcons, Nashville Junior Predators, and Jersey Shore Wildcats were also removed from the schedules during the season.
In April 2018, the NA3HL announced the entire East Division had left the league including the reigning champions, the Metro Jets, and joined the United States Premier Hockey League (USPHL). The Butte Cobras were also announced as returning and the Point Mallard Ducks were purchased and relocated to become the Milwaukee Power.[10]
In 2020, the WSHL's Oklahoma City Jr. Blazers purchased the dormant Coulee Region Chill franchise to join the league for 2020[11] and the El Paso Rhinos announced an agreement to add expansion teams to both the NA3HL in 2020 and the NAHL in 2021.[12] The Coastal and Northeast divisions merged into a new East Division beginning with the 2020β21 season following several teams withdrawing.
Alumni
Many prominent college and pro hockey players have played in the CSHL at one point in their careers, including 2007 Hobey Baker finalist Eric Ehn (Metro Jets), St. Louis Blues forward and 2010 and 2014 U.S. Olympian Paul Stastny (St. Louis Jr. Blues) and Chris Butler (St. Louis Jr. Blues), now in the St. Louis Blues' organization.
Teams
- Temporary home due to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.
- As the Point Mallard Ducks.
- As the Evansville Jr. Thunderbolts.
- As the Chicago Jr. Bulldogs.
- As the Wilkes-Barre Miners.
- As the Binghamton Jr. Senators.
- As the Lockport Express
- Briefly joined as the New York Aviators.
- As the New England Stars.
- As the Skylands Kings.
- As the Missoula Junior Bruins.
- Bought the Glacier Nationals.
- As the Quad City Express.
- As the Topeka Capitals.
- Franchise founded as the Flint Jr. Generals in the CSHL. The OKC Jr. Blazers/Ice Hawks organization was founded in 2014 and bought the franchise to join the NA3HL in 2020.
- As the Sugar Land Imperials.
- As the Breezy Point North Stars.
- As the Twin City Steel.
- As the Minnesota Flying Aces.
Champions
The league championship trophy is the Fraser Cup. It was originally called the Hurster Cup during the league's time as the Central States Hockey League. In 2012, the cup was then renamed to the Silver Cup.[15] In 2017, the league again renamed the championship to the Fraser Cup after long-time NAHL, NA3HL, and NAPHL Director of Hockey Administration, Robert βFraserβ Ritchie.[16] The winner of the Cup typically receives a bid to compete in the USA Hockey Tier III junior hockey National Championship Tournament, however, the tournament has not been held since 2015.
Season | Playoffs winner | Nationals results | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Tournament | Top qualifier results | Runner Up qualifier results | ||
1988 | St. Louis Jr. Blues | Jr. B | ||
1989 | Lytes Rustlers | Jr. B | ||
1990 | Metro Jets | Jr. B | ||
1991 | Wayne Chiefs | Jr. B | ||
1992 | Downriver Blades | Jr. B | ||
1993 | Wayne Chiefs | Jr. B | ||
1994 | St. Louis Jr. Blues | Jr. B | ||
1995 | Toledo Cherokee | Jr. B | ||
1996 | Motor City Chiefs | Jr. B | ||
1997 | Toledo Cherokee | Jr. B | ||
1998 | Motor City Chiefs | Jr. B | Toledo Cherokee won Jr. B National Championship[17] | |
1999 | Toledo Cherokee | Jr. B | ||
2000 | St. Louis Jr. Blues | Jr. B | ||
2001 | Metro Jets | Jr. B | ||
2002 | Metro Jets | Jr. B | Metro Jets won Tier III Jr. B National Championship[17] | |
2003 | St. Louis Jr. Blues | Jr. B | St. Louis Jr. Blues lost Championship game to Phoenix Polar Bears | |
2004 | St. Louis Jr. Blues | Jr. B | St. Louis Jr. Blues won Tier III Jr. B National Championship[17] | |
2005 | St. Louis Jr. Blues | Jr. B | St. Louis Jr. Blues won Tier III Jr. B National Championship[17] | |
2006 | St. Louis Jr. Blues | Jr. B[18] | St. Louis Jr. Blues 3-0-0 in Round Robin, 1st of 4, Pool I Won Semifinal (6-2 vs. Twin Cities Northern Lights) Tier III Jr. B National Champions (5-4 vs. Toledo Cherokee) | Toledo Cherokee 3-0-0 in Round Robin, 1st of 4, Pool III Won Semifinal (3-2 vs. Minnesota Ice Hawks) Lost Championship game (4-5 vs. St. Louis Jr. Blues) |
2007 | Dubuque Thunderbirds | Jr. B[19] | Dubuque Thunderbirds 2-1-0 in Round Robin, 1st of 4, Pool II Lost Semifinal (0-3 vs. New Hampshire Jr. Monarchs) | St. Louis Jr. Blues 2-1-0 in Round Robin, 2nd of 4, Pool I Won Semifinal (6-1 vs. Suffolk PAL) Tier III Jr. B National Champions (4-0 vs. New Hampshire Jr. Monarchs) |
2008 | Dubuque Thunderbirds | Jr. A[20] | Dubuque Thunderbirds Eliminated 0-2-1 in Round Robin, 3rd of 4, Pool III | Cleveland Jr. Lumberjacks Eliminated 0-3-0 in Round Robin, 4th of 4, Pool II |
2009 | Dubuque Thunderbirds | Jr. A[21] | Dubuque Thunderbirds 2-0-1 in Round Robin, 1st of 4, Pool II Lost Semifinal (1-5 vs. New Jersey Hitmen) | St. Louis Jr. Blues Eliminated 0-2-1 in Round Robin, 3rd of 4, Pool III |
2010 | St. Louis Jr. Blues | Jr. A[22] | St. Louis Jr. Blues 2-1-0 in Round Robin, 1st of 4, Pool III Won Semifinal (2-1 vs. New Hampshire Jr. Monarchs) Tier III Jr. A National Champions (4-3 vs. South Shore Kings) | Dubuque Thunderbirds Eliminated 2-1-0 in Round Robin, 2nd of 4, Pool I |
2011 | Chicago Hitmen | Jr. A[23] | Chicago Hitmen Eliminated 0-2-1 in Round Robin, 4th of 4, Pool II | St. Louis Jr. Blues Eliminated 2-1-0 in Round Robin, 2nd of 4, Pool I |
2012 | Granite City Lumberjacks | Tier III[24] | No representatives sent to tournament | |
2013 | North Iowa Bulls | Tier III[25] | North Iowa Bulls 3-0-0 in Round Robin, 1st of 4, American Div. Won Semifinal (3-2 vs. Helena Bighorns) Tier III National Champions (6-2 vs. Twin Cities Northern Lights) | No runner up teams in tournament for 2013 |
2014 | North Iowa Bulls | Tier III[26] | North Iowa Bulls 3-0-0 in Round Robin, 1st of 4, Pool C Won Semifinal (5-1 vs. Northern Cyclones) Lost Championship (1-4 vs. Boston Jr. Bruins) | Flint Jr. Generals Eliminated 2-1-0 in Round Robin, 3rd of 4, Pool B |
2015 | Granite City Lumberjacks | Division 1[27] | Granite City Lumberjacks Eliminated 2-1-0 in Round Robin, 3rd of 4 | North Iowa Bulls 2-1-0 in Round Robin, 2nd of 4 Tier III National Champions (2-1 vs. Northern Cyclones) |
2016 | North Iowa Bulls | Tier III Nationals not held | ||
2017 | Granite City Lumberjacks | |||
2018 | Metro Jets | |||
2019 | Texas Jr. Brahmas | |||
2020 | Not awarded | |||
2021 | North Iowa Bulls |
Former teams
- Battle Creek Jr. Revolution (Battle Creek, Michigan; 2010β2014). Joined as an expansion team in 2010 after initially planning on joining the Northern Junior Hockey League. Renamed West Michigan Wolves in 2014.[28]
- Billings Bulls (Billings, Montana; 2014β2017). Joined from the American West Hockey League; ceased operations at the start of the 2017β18 season due to lack of players.[29]
- Binghamton Jr. Senators (Binghamton, New York; 2016β2019) Relocated after the 2018β19 season as the Elmira Jr. Soaring Eagles.[30]
- Breezy Point North Stars (Breezy Point, Minnesota; 2012β2020). Not listed as a member after the 2019β20 season. Sold and reactivated as the Minnesota Loons in 2021.[31]
- Butte Cobras (Butte, Montana). Organization joined from the Western States Hockey League after purchasing the Glacier Nationals NA3HL franchise in 2017. The Cobras failed to play a game and ceased operations during the opening weekend of the 2017β18 season due to lack of players.[32] Returned to the NA3HL for the 2018β19 season.
- Cape Cod Islanders (Falmouth, Massachusetts; 2016β2019) Franchise joined from the NA3EHL in 2016. Relocated as the Canton Cubs after the 2018β19 season but were removed from the league before playing in Canton.[30][33]
- Chicago Force (Rolling Meadows, Illinois; 2004β2010). Organization obtained a Tier II North American Hockey League franchise and named it the Chicago Hitmen. The organization would also rename its Tier III CSHL franchise to match.
- Chicago Hitmen (Rolling Meadows, Illinois; 2010β2012). Organization ceased operations of both their Tier II and Tier III franchises prior to the 2012β13 season.[34]
- Chicago Jr. Bulldogs (Romeoville, Illinois; 2013β2017). Franchise was sold and re-located to Wausau, Wisconsin, as the Wausau RiverWolves following the 2016β17 season.
- Cincinnati Cobras (Cincinnati, Ohio; 1999β2006). Renamed Cincinnati Jr. Cyclones.
- Cincinnati Jr. Cyclones (Cincinnati, Ohio; 2006β2007). Folded and replaced by Queen City Steam.
- Cincinnati Swords (Cincinnati, Ohio; 2013β2015). Renamed Cincinnati Thunder in 2015.[35]
- Cincinnati Thunder (Cincinnati, Ohio, for 2015β16; Centerville, Ohio, for 2016β17). Renamed to Dayton Falcons when the team remained in the Dayton suburb of Centerville instead of returning to Cincinnati after the 2016β17 season.
- Cleveland Jr. Lumberjacks (Strongsville, Ohio; 2004β2015). Franchise purchased by the Wooster Oilers.[36]
- College Station Spirit (College Station, Texas; 2016β2019). Became Texas RoadRunners.[37]
- Columbus Crush (Columbus, Ohio; 1998β2003). Became Columbus Stars.
- Columbus Jr. "B" Blue Jackets (Columbus, Ohio; 2004β2007)
- Columbus Stars (Columbus, Ohio; 2003β2004). Became Jr. "B" Blue Jackets.
- Coulee Region Chill (La Crosse, Wisconsin; 2014β2020). Relocated to La Crosse as the Freeze in 2014; rebranded in 2018 taking its name from the former Coulee Region Chill of the NAHL; arena was closed and the team withdrew from NA3HL after the 2019β20 season. Franchise sold to the Oklahoma City Jr. Blazers, formerly of the Western States Hockey League, prior to the 2020β21 season.
- Danbury Colonials (Danbury, Connecticut; 2019β2020). Rebranded to Danbury Jr. Hat Tricks when the organization added an NAHL team in 2020 to match the professional team, the Danbury Hat Tricks.[38]
- Dayton Falcons (Centerville, Ohio; 2017). Folded after 12 games into the 2017β18 season.
- Dubuque Thunderbirds (Dubuque, Iowa; 2006β2010). Joined from the Minnesota Junior Hockey League. Ceased operations after they were replaced by a Tier I United States Hockey League team, the Dubuque Fighting Saints.
- East Coast Minutemen (Salem, New Hampshire; 2016β2017).[39] Franchise joined from the NA3EHL in 2016; folded in 2017.
- Dallas Jr. Stars (Euless, Texas; 2013β2015). Renamed to Euless Junior Stars in 2015 by new owners.[40]
- Elmira Jr. Soaring Eagles (Horseheads, New York; 2019β2020). Relocated after the 2019β20 season as the Bay State Bobcats.[41]
- Euless Junior Stars (Euless, Texas; 2015β2017). Renamed to Mid-Cities Junior Stars in 2017 by new owners.
- Evansville Jr. Thunderbolts (Evansville, Indiana; 2015β2019). Franchise sold and re-activated as the Oregon Tradesmen in Oregon, Wisconsin, for the 2020β21 season.[42]
- Flint Jr. Generals (Clayton Township, Michigan; 1998β2014). Sold and relocated to La Crosse, Wisconsin, and became the La Crosse Freeze.[43]
- Glacier Nationals (Havre, Montana; 2014β2017). Joined from the American West Hockey League in 2014. Purchased and relocated to Butte, Montana, as the Butte Cobras, an organization that left the Western States Hockey League in 2017.[44]
- Grand Rapids Owls (Byron Center, Michigan; 1993β2010). Suspended operations prior to the start of the 2010β11 season.
- Jersey Shore Wildcats (Wall Township, New Jersey; 2016β2017). Franchise joined from the NA3EHL in 2016; played the first 22 games into the 2017β18 season before being removed from the league.
- L/A Fighting Spirit (Lewiston, Maine; 2016β2017). Franchise joined from the NA3EHL in 2016. Sold and renamed Lewiston/Auburn Nordiques after one season.
- Lansing Wolves (Dimondale, Michigan; 2017β2018). Was previous known as the West Michigan Wolves. Left the NA3HL along with the entire East Division in 2018 to join the United States Premier Hockey League.
- Lewiston/Auburn Nordiques (Lewiston, Maine; 2017β2020). Ceased operations after the 2019β20 season.
- Lockport Express (Lockport, New York; 2016β2017). Franchise joined from the NA3EHL in 2016. Relocated to Niagara Falls, New York, as the Niagara Falls PowerHawks after one season in the NA3HL.[45]
- Maine Wild (Biddeford, Maine; 2016β2020). Franchise joined from the NA3EHL in 2016. Not listed as a member as of the 2020β21 season.
- Metro Jets (Fraser, Michigan; 1989β2018). Left the NA3HL along with the entire East Division in 2018 after winning the league championship. Joined the United States Premier Hockey League.
- Michigan Ice Dogs (Farmington Hills, Michigan; 2003β2008). Moved to the Great Lakes Junior Hockey League (2008β12), then the Midwest Junior Hockey League (2012β15), and then joined the USPHL-Midwest Division for 2015β16 as the Michigan Wild.
- Michigan Mountain Cats (Farmington Hills, Michigan; 2010β2014). Franchise sold and relocated to Jamestown, New York, as the Southern Tier Xpress[46]
- Minnesota Flying Aces (Little Falls, Minnesota; 2011β2016). Joined from the Minnesota Junior Hockey League in 2011, franchise purchased and relocated to Willmar, Minnesota, in 2016.[47]
- Missoula Junior Bruins (Missoula, Montana; 2016β2021). Replaced the Missoula Maulers of the Western States Hockey League in 2016; sold franchise in 2021 and was relocated to Rapid City, South Dakota, as the Badlands Sabres.[48]
- Motor City Chiefs (Dearborn Heights, Michigan; 1985β2010). Franchise was sold and renamed Michigan Mountain Cats.[49]
- Nashville Junior Predators (Franklin, Tennessee; 2014β2017). Games cancelled at the end of October during the 2017β18 season; removed from the league one month later.
- New England Knights (Raynham, Massachusetts; 2019β2020). After purchasing and relocating the Oswego Stampede franchise in 2019, the team was not listed as a member of the league for the 2020β21 season.
- New England Stars (Tyngsboro, Massachusetts; 2016β2020). Franchise joined from the NA3EHL in 2016; franchise sold to the New Jersey Titans organization in 2020.[50]
- New York Aviators (Brooklyn/Brewster, New York). Franchise joined from the NA3EHL in 2016. Relocated to Long Beach, New York, to become the Long Beach Sharks after joining the NA3HL.
- Niagara Falls PowerHawks (Niagara Falls, New York; 2017β2019) Relocated after the 2018β19 season as the Danbury Colonials.[30]
- North Iowa Bulls (Mason City, Iowa; 2011β2021). Organization purchased a North American Hockey League (NAHL) franchise and promoted the Bulls to the NAHL; the NA3HL team was then rebranded as the Mason City Toros.[51]
- Oklahoma City Jr. Blazers (Edmond, Oklahoma; 2020β2021). Joined from the Western States Hockey League by purchasing the franchise used by the Coulee Region Chill; played most of the season as the "Oklahoma City Hockey Club" and had removed most of its branding; renamed as Oklahoma City Ice Hawks in 2021.[52]
- Oswego Stampede (Oswego, New York; 2017β2019). Franchise purchased and relocated to Raynham, Massachusetts, as the New England Knights.[30]
- Pittsburgh Jr. Penguins (Harmarville, Pennsylvania; 2009β2012). The Pittsburgh Jr. Penguins organization created a Junior A level team to compete in the CSHL in 2009. Renamed to Three Rivers Vengeance in 2012.
- Pittsburgh Vengeance (Harmarville, Pennsylvania; 2012β2018). Left with the entire East Division in 2018 to join the United States Premier Hockey League.
- Point Mallard Ducks (Decatur, Alabama; 2014β2018). Expansion team for the 2014β15 season, sold and relocated as the Milwaukee Power.[53]
- Quad City Express (Davenport, Iowa; 2004β2007). Renamed Jr. Flames after the American Hockey League team, the Quad City Flames.
- Quad City Jr. Flames (Davenport, Iowa; 2007β2013). Relocated to Madison, Wisconsin, and renamed to the Wisconsin Whalers.[54]
- Queen City Steam (Cincinnati, Ohio; 2007β2013) Renamed Cincinnati Swords after the merger of two youth hockey programs in the Cincinnati area.[55]
- Roc City Royals (Rochester, New York; 2016β2018). Team founded in 2014 in the North American 3 Eastern Hockey League and joined the NA3HL in 2016. Franchise was announced to be replaced by a team called the Rochester Riverman in 2018,[56] but the Rivermen never played a game.
- Rochester Ice Hawks (Rochester, Minnesota; 2015β2018). Joined from the Minnesota Junior Hockey League in 2015. The franchise was purchased and became the Rochester Grizzlies in 2018.[57]
- Skylands Kings (Stockholm, New Jersey; 2016β2020). Joined from the NA3EHL in 2016; not listed as a member after the 2019β20 season. Franchise membership purchased by the Norwich Sea Captains organization to join the league in 2021.[58]
- Southern Tier Xpress (Jamestown, New York; 2014β2018). Formerly the Michigan Mountain Cats, left the NA3HL along with the entire East Division in 2018 to join the United States Premier Hockey League. Never played in the USPHL because they were replaced in their arena by the Jamestown Rebels of the Tier II North American Hockey League.
- Sugar Land Imperials (Sugar Land, Texas; 2013β2016). An expansion team from 2013, the franchise was purchased and relocated to College Station, Texas, and renamed College Station Spirit in 2016.[59]
- Syracuse Stampede (Morrisville, New York; 2016β2017). Joined the NA3HL in 2016 from the NA3EHL. Relocated and rebranded to become the Oswego Stampede.
- Three Rivers Vengeance (Harmarville, Pennsylvania; 2012β2013). Renamed Pittsburgh Vengeance after one season.
- Toledo Cherokee (Toledo, Ohio; 1993β2018). Left the NA3HL along with the entire East Division in 2018 to join the United States Premier Hockey League.
- Topeka Capitals (Topeka, Kansas; 2013β2015). Franchise relocated to Sandy Springs, Georgia, and renamed to Atlanta Capitals in 2015.[60]
- Twin City Steel (White Bear Lake, Minnesota; 2011β2016). Franchise relocated to New Ulm, Minnesota, and renamed New Ulm Steel in 2016.
- Wausau RiverWolves (Wausau, Wisconsin; 2017β2021). Sold and renamed the Wausau Cyclones.[61]
- Wayne Wheels/Wheelers (Wayne, Michigan; 1998β2003). Renamed Michigan Ice Dogs.
- West Michigan Wolves (Battle Creek, Michigan; 2014β2017). Relocated to the Dimondale, Michigan in the Lansing-area and renamed Lansing Wolves.
- Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Miners (Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania). Franchise joined from the NA3EHL in 2016. Relocated to Binghamton, New York, to become the Binghamton Jr. Senators. after joining the NA3HL.
- Wisconsin Whalers (Madison/Oregon, Wisconsin; 2013β2019). Franchise played in Madison from 2013 to 2015 before moving to Oregon, Wisconsin. Sold and relocated to Sheridan, Wyoming, as the Sheridan Hawks.[30]
- Wooster Oilers (Wooster, Ohio; 2015β2018). Joined from the Minnesota Junior Hockey League in 2015. Left along with the entire East Division in 2018 to join the United States Premier Hockey League.
References
- "NA3HL Celebrates 10 Years of Growth and Success". NA3HL. September 16, 2019.
- "Quad City Jr. Flames To Be Renamed The Wisconsin Whalers". The Junior Hockey News. 24 May 2013.
- Fitts, Colin (May 24, 2014). "NA3HL Club Arrives In Nashville". The Hockey Writers. Retrieved May 31, 2014.
- "AWHL joins NA3HL". Billings Gazette. 21 March 2014.
- "ThunderBolts hockey team introduces owner, head coach". Evansville Courier & Press. 23 July 2015.
- "NA3HL approves expansion membership to Rochester Ice Hawks". Junior Hockey News. May 21, 2015.
- "NA3HL approves expansion membership to Louisiana Drillers". Junior Hockey News. May 22, 2015.
- "NA3EHL to join NA3HL for the 2016-17 season". NA3HL. March 4, 2016.
- "New Missoula junior hockey team approved". The Montana Standard. May 21, 2016.
- "NA3HL announces divisional alignment and events for 2018-19 season". NA3HL. April 17, 2018.
- "NA3HL announces new team in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma". NA3HL. May 19, 2020.
- "El Paso Rhinos will join NAHL and NA3HL". El Paso Times. June 16, 2020.
- "page":4,"issue_id":177948} "A Team Grows in Brooklyn". Junior Hockey Magazine. October 2013.
- "NA3HL announces new team in Austin, Texas". NA3HL. April 27, 2021.
- "NA3HL CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT". NA3HL. Retrieved September 11, 2017.
- "NA3HL names Championship Trophy in memory of Fraser Ritchie". NA3HL. September 11, 2017.
- "Junior B Silver Cup". Retrieved March 25, 2016.
- "2006 Tier III Junior B Nationals". Pointstreak. Retrieved August 21, 2015.
- "2007 Tier III Junior B Nationals". Pointstreak. Retrieved August 21, 2015.
- "2008 Tier III Junior A Nationals". Pointstreak. Retrieved August 21, 2015.
- "2009 Tier III Jr. A Nat. Championships". USA Hockey. Retrieved August 26, 2015.
- "2010 Tier III Jr. A Nat. Championships". USA Hockey. Retrieved August 26, 2015.
- "2011 Tier III Jr. A Nat. Championships". USA Hockey. Retrieved August 18, 2015.
- "2012 Tier III Nat. Championships". USA Hockey. Retrieved August 19, 2015.
- "2013 Tier III Nat. Championships". USA Hockey. Retrieved August 18, 2015.
- "2014 Tier III Nat. Championships". USA Hockey. Retrieved August 18, 2015.
- "2015 Tier III Junior Nat. Championships". USA Hockey. Retrieved September 17, 2015.
- "West Michigan Wolves era in NA3HL to begin in 2014-15". NA3HL. April 1, 2014.
- "NA3HL's Billings Bulls Shot In The Head". The Junior Hockey News. September 9, 2017.
- "NA3HL announces new markets for the 2019-20 season". NA3HL. April 17, 2019.
- "NA3HL team returns to Breezy Point, Minnesota". NA3HL. April 28, 2021.
- "NA3HL's Butte Cobras Killed". The Junior Hockey News. September 8, 2017.
- "Weekly Sports League and Franchise Report". OurSports Central. September 16, 2019.
- "Chicago Hitmen will not play in 2012-13". NA3HL. May 11, 2012.
- "Cincinnati team in NA3HL renamed the Thunder". NA3HL. April 10, 2015.
- "NA3HL approves sale and relocation of Cleveland to Wooster, Ohio". NA3HL. February 15, 2015.
- "College Station Spirit rebrand to become the Texas RoadRunners". NA3HL. May 9, 2019.
- "Danbury Colonials to become the Jr. Hat Tricks". NA3HL. August 24, 2020.
- "Weekly Sports League & Franchise Report". OurSports Central. July 24, 2017.
- "NA3HL's Jr. Stars purchased by Chill, Freeze ownership". NA3HL. August 4, 2015.
- "Elmira Jr. Soaring Eagles to relocate to Holyoke, Massachusetts". NA3HL. April 8, 2020.
- "NA3HL announces new team in Oregon, Wisconsin". NA3HL. April 1, 2020.
- "NA3HL approves sale and relocation of Flint to La Crosse, WI". NA3HL. May 6, 2014.
- "Glacier Nationals sold, relocated to Butte, Montana to become Cobras". NA3HL. May 26, 2017.
- "Express moving to Niagara Falls in 2017-18". NA3HL. March 14, 2017.
- "NA3HL approves sale and relocation of Mountain Cats to Jamestown, NY". NA3HL. March 10, 2014.
- "NA3HL's Flying Aces purchased, relocated by NAHL Blizzard ownership". Junior Hockey News. May 24, 2016.
- "NA3HL announces new team in Rapid City, South Dakota". NA3HL. April 27, 2021.
- "Mountain Cats continue to make great strides". NA3HL. April 21, 2011.
- "NA3HL announces new team in Middletown, New Jersey". NA3HL. April 19, 2020.
- "Mason City Toros begin new era in the NA3HL". NA3HL. June 1, 2021.
- "OKLAHOMA CITY ICE HAWKS". OKCityHockey.com. June 14, 2021.
- "Point Mallard Ducks purchased and relocated to Milwaukee, Wisconsin". NA3HL. April 16, 2018.
- "Quad City Jr. Flames to relocate to Madison, Wisconsin". NA3HL. May 2, 2013.
- "Queen City Steam to become the Cincinnati Swords". NA3HL. April 16, 2013.
- "NA3HL team announced in Scottsville, New York". NA3HL.com. May 21, 2018.
- "NA3HL team in Rochester, MN announces new ownership group, name". North American Hockey League. April 4, 2018.
- "NA3HL announces new team in Norwich, Connecticut". NA3HL. April 30, 2021.
- "Sugar Land Imperials purchased and relocated to College Station, TX". Junior Hockey News. May 24, 2016.
- "Topeka Capitals to relocate to Atlanta, Georgia". NA3HL. June 16, 2015.
- "RiverWolves sold; Team to become Wausau Cyclones". NA3HL. April 23, 2021.