NAPHL releases 2016-17 event locations and dates

April 6, 2016

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

 

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. A record total of seven NAPHL alumni were selected in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft.

 

The NAPHL teams for the 2016-17 season are still being finalized.  A final team announcement will be posted in the near future. The NAPHL, which will be celebrating its 8th anniversary season in 2016-17, is currently composed of 38 Midget Major (18U) and Midget Minor (16U) teams from across North America that compete at the USA Hockey Tier I level.

 

“Our line-up of teams continues to get stronger and as we continue to focus on both the on and off-ice development of our players, we feel the number of games and locations for the 2016-17 will be just right,” said NAPHL Director Lucas Trombetta. “The NAPHL continues to raise the bar each season in terms of player and alumni advancement and thanks to the unique event schedule, balanced competition, NAHL Central Scouting and quality coaching, we expect that trend to continue this upcoming season.”

 

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. 

 

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.