NAPHL announces Tier 1 teams for 2020-21 season
The North American Prospects Hockey League (NAPHL) has announced the Tier 1 organizations that have been accepted into the league for the 2020-21 season, which will be the 12th season of the NAPHL.
For the 2020-21 season, the NAPHL will continue with a structure that features three regional Tier 1 Conferences: Central, East, and West. Each conference will play in the ‘Greatest Show on Ice’ the NAHL Showcase in September along with the Dixon Cup Playoffs in February. The remaining games will be a mix of games in Showcase, regional sites, along with home series. The NAPHL and its members have adopted a model to reduce travel, cost, and school days missed prior to COVID-19.
The game schedule will be built with the majority of the play regionally within the conferences, along with cross-conference play and guest teams culminating with season-ending playoffs. All teams will have the opportunity to qualify for the Dixon Cup in their respective conferences through regular season results and standings.
The NAPHL is coming off its most competitive season ever with four 18U members finishing in the top 20 of the nation along with two 16U teams in the top 10 of the nation. “Our teams continue to raise the bar and our members want to play each other more. This regional model makes sense to everyone. We are keeping our marquee events with the two Showcases that include the NAHL Showcase in September and the NA3HL Showcase in December to maximize scouting exposure, while keeping competition as regional as possible,” said NAPHL Director and NAHL Director of Player Personnel Tony Zasowski.
2020-21 Tier 1 Divisions:
Central Conference (8): CarShield AAA, Des Moines Buccaneers AAA, Esmark Stars, Florida Alliance, Indy Jr. Fuel, Meijer AAA, NorthStar Christian Academy, Tri State Spartans
East Conference (8): 95 Giants, East Coast Spartans, Mercer Chiefs, New Hampshire Avalanche, New Jersey Jr. Titans, Northeast Generals, Philadelphia Little Flyers, Team Maryland
West Conference (10): Arizona Bobcats, Colorado Springs Tigers, Madison Capitols, Northwest Stars, Ontario Jr. Reign, Portland Jr. Winterhawks, Shattuck-St. Mary’s, Thunder Bay Kings, TRC Academy, West Coast Elite
Every year, the NAPHL increases its advancement numbers to the NAHL, the USHL, and NCAA Hockey. The NAPHL currently boasts over 75 NCAA Division 1, 160 NCAA Division III, 115 NAHL and 44 USHL alumni. The advancement mission is spearheaded by the exclusive NAHL Central Scouting Department and is also enhanced by a unique NAHL tender system, eligible only to players that play in the NAPHL Tier 1 Division.
No other USA Hockey youth league does more for its players than the NAPHL. Operated by the full-time staff of the North American Hockey League (NAHL), who make it their mission to outperform others both on and off the ice in promoting its players. NAPHL players are recognized on the league’s website and social media outlets, which receive millions of pageviews and social media engagements annually. This also includes broadcasts and play-by-play of every game on HockeyTV, highlights from every game on social media, monthly and yearly award recognition, feature stories, and real-time statistics.
Being a full-time NAPHL member not only makes a team a part of the NAHL family, but also guarantees them entry into the league’s best events. These events include the NAHL Showcase in September, a mid-season Showcase in December, the league’s playoffs with Dixon Cup Championship in February, the 18U, 16U and 15U All-Star Games and the season-ending 18U Top Prospects Tournament.
Members of the NAPHL get the opportunity to attend some of the most dynamic and highly scouted events. Every member is guaranteed the opportunity to compete at the NAHL Showcase, which features every NCAA Division 1 and every NHL team along with dozens of junior scouts under one roof. No matter what age classification you compete, the NAPHL provides the most dynamic vertical exposure structure designed specifically to educate, develop, expose and advance players in the NAPHL.
