NAPHL releases 2016-17 game schedule

July 25, 2016

The North American Prospects Hockey League (NAPHL) has announced the schedule for the 2016-17 season, which includes the first event of the season at the 14th annual NAHL Showcase, which will be held from September 22-25 at the Schwan Super Rink in Blaine, Minnesota. 

 

Each NAPHL team will play 22 regular season games and five different events during the 2016-17 season. The five events that compose the NAPHL regular season schedule are spread amongst just three locations. The Schwan Super Rink in Blaine, MN will host three events and the Troy Sports Center in Troy, MI and the Sport Stable in Superior, CO will each host one during the regular season. 

 

 

The NAPHL, which will be celebrating its eighth season in 2016-17, is composed of 44 teams (18U, 16U and 15U) from across North America that compete at the USA Hockey Tier I level. Founded in 2009, the NAPHL continues to establish itself as one of the premier grounds for development and exposure. The success of teams on the National stage, as well as the success of NAPHL players at the next levels of hockey, is further proof that the NAPHL is redefining exposure and has elevated itself to one of the premier training grounds for development and opportunity. This past season was one for the record books for the NAPHL. A record number of seven NAPHL alumni were selected in the 2016 NHL Draft, a record number of 64 NAPHL players were either tendered or drafted into the NAHL and 18 NAPHL players were selected in the 2016 USHL Draft.

 

"In just seven short years, the NAPHL has become one of the top USA Hockey Tier I youth leagues in the country. Each year, the NAPHL keeps setting the bar higher in terms of player advancement and development,” said NAPHL Director Lucas Trombetta. “The 2016-17 is shaping up to be our best yet with some exciting team additions, including a new 15U division, that should accentuate the continued success of our event schedule, competition, scouting and exposure.”

 

The 2016-17 season begins at the 14th annual NAHL Showcase, which will be held from September 22-25 at the Schwan Super Rink in Blaine, Minnesota. Not only will NAPHL face some tough competition amongst them, but several teams will compete in crossover games against teams from the High Performance Hockey League (HPHL) at the event, while others will also face some at-large teams that are also competing in the first event of the season.

 

The NAPHL teams for the 2016-17 season are: Arizona Bobcats, California Titans, Esmark Stars, Everett Jr. Silvertips (16U), HC Dallas, Madison Capitols, Meijer AAA Hockey, New Jersey Jr. Titans, Northern Cyclones, Omaha AAA Hockey Club, Pikes Peak Miners, Pursuit of Excellence, Rocky Mountain RoughRiders, Shattuck-St. Mary’s (18U), St. Louis Selects, Thunder Bay Kings, Valley Forge Minutemen, Washington Little Capitals, Wenatchee Wolves (18U).

 

September 22-25, 2016 – Schwan Super Rink – Blaine, Minnesota (5 games)

October 21-24, 2016 – Schwan Super Rink – Blaine, Minnesota (4 games)

November 11-14, 2016 – Sport Stable – Superior, Colorado (4 games)

December 2-5, 2016 – Schwan Super Rink – Blaine, Minnesota (4 games)(NAPHL 18U and 16U All-Star Games)

January 6-9, 2017 – Troy Sports Center – Troy, Michigan (5 games)

February 17-20, 2017 – Troy Sports Center – Troy, Michigan (NAPHL Championship)

 

In addition to the regular season event schedule, the NAPHL is planning on All-Star Games at both the 18U and 16U levels, which will take place during the fourth event of the season in Blaine, MN.  The NAPHL season will conclude with the NAPHL Championship Series, which will be held in Troy, MI from February 17-20. All teams will participate in the NAPHL Championship in either a Gold (Championship) or Silver (Consolation) Division.