NAPHL event off to a great start

September 22, 2017

The NAPHL’s 9th season opened up on Thursday with the first set of games at the 15th annual NAHL Showcase.

 

As a part of the event, the High Performance Hockey League (HPHL) is also participating with several crossover games between the two leagues.

 

Day 1 was as close as it gets between the two leagues. With over 260 NHL, NCAA and junior scouts checking in through Thursday, there were plenty of great games to watch and great individual performances.

 

In 16 crossover games, the leagues were virtually even in competition with the NAPHL holding a 8-7-1 edge. In the 18U Division, NAPHL teams were 5-2-1, while in the 16U Division, NAPHL teams went 3-5 against their HPHL counterparts.

 

Friday features some more great match-ups and the HPHL and guest teams will be treated to the NCAA Seminars, which we be running simultaneously with the event.

 

 

“We are excited to get the season started and even more excited to see the crop of new players that will be playing in the NAPHL this season. NAHL Central Scouting will be in full force at all the events, so that should provide additional exposure for all of the NAPHL players looking to make an impression,” said NAPHL Director Tony Zasowski.

Each NAPHL 18U team will play 18 regular season games, each NAPHL 16U team will play in 17 regular season games, and each NAPHL 15U team will play nine regular season games. The Schwan Super Rink in Blaine, MN will host three events and the Troy Sports Center in Troy, MI will host two events during the 2017-18 regular season.

The NAPHL has proved over the years that the league is a great stepping-stone for development and training for young hockey players looking to gain experience and knowledge to work their way up to the National level. In total, 46 NAPHL players signed tenders with NAHL teams throughout the course of the 2016-17 season. What’s more impressive is that no other midget league had more players sign NAHL tenders than the NAPHL. In addition, 10 players with NAPHL ties were selected in the NAHL Draft. In total, 56 former NAPHL players now have their rights protected by an NAHL for the 2017-18 season. During the past two years, 120 NAPHL players have signed an NAHL tender or been drafted into the NAHL, a remarkable total.

Besides the 23 NAHL teams in attendance, there will also be 50 teams competing at the Tier I 18U Midget Major 16U and 15U Midget Minor levels from the North American Prospects Hockey League (NAPHL).  For the sixth straight season, eight teams from the Upper Midwest High School Elite League (UMHSEL) will be participating at the Showcase.  In addition, the Tier I High Performance Hockey League (HPHL) is going to have all of their 18U Midget Major and 16U Midget Minor teams competing at the event including some crossover games against the NAPHL.