T1ER League sets new standard of NAHL exposure and advancement

June 16, 2023

Following the conclusion of the 2023 NAHL Draft, the North American Prospects Hockey League (NAPHL) T1ER League has again set a new standard for advancement and exposure.

The T1ER is pleased to announce 20 current or former players were selected in the 2023 North American Hockey League (NAHL) Draft, which was held on Wednesday, June 14^th.

In addition to the 20 players who were drafted, a record number of 75 players who played in the T1ER league during this past 2022-23 season signed NAHL tenders for the upcoming 2023-24 season.

NAPHL tenders for the 2023-24 NAHL season

In all, a total of 95 NAPHL T1ER players were either drafted or tendered by NAHL teams for the upcoming 2023-24 season, which is a new single-season record.

Founded in 2009 and entering its 15^th season in 2023-24, the NAPHL T1ER League is the premier training ground for development, exposure, and opportunity. The success of teams on the national stage, as well as the success of T1ER players at the next levels of hockey, is further proof that the T1ER League is redefining exposure and has become the marquee place to play for elite level players, ages 13-18.

No other USA Hockey Youth Tier 1 League has had more players play in the NAHL over the course of the last six seasons than the T1ER, which included over 80+ alumni playing in the NAHL during the 2022-23 season. The T1ER primary mission is to provide development and exposure opportunities for players as they advance on the path to one day play high level junior and college hockey.

“The benefits of the NAHL’s ladder of development exposure model that is exclusive to the T1ER League continues to be the foundation of the player advancement success. NAHL teams are seeing these players multiple times throughout a season and their selections are based on in-person scouting by multiple staff members at events. No other youth league in USA Hockey has a model like it and these results are one of the byproducts of the system,” said NAHL Commissioner and President Mark Frankenfeld.

The T1ER is operated by the NAHL's experienced staff and provides an organized and competitive experience guaranteed to benefit all the participating student-athletes. The T1ER is composed of regular season Showcase and Events leading up to its Championship Tournament in which the top teams at each age level compete for a league championship.

T1ER players are also continuously 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, highlights from every game on social media, monthly and yearly award recognition, feature stories, and real-time statistics.

Members of the T1ER get the opportunity to attend some of the most dynamic and highly scouted events. Selected events take place during the same time as NAHL events, which usually feature 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 T1ER provides the most dynamic vertical exposure structure designed specifically to educate, develop, expose and advance players.

Player Drafted, Position, NAHL team, Round, # Pick, Years in the NAPHL

Jack Wuertz, F, Danbury Jr. Hat Tricks, Round 2, #36 (2019-22)

Nick Sajevic, F, Janesville Jets, Round 2, #39 (2019-20)

Ethan Lindahl, F, North Iowa Bulls, Round 2, #42 (2020-21)

Brady Ingebritson, F, Springfield Jr. Blues, Round 3, #69 (2020-21)

Luke McCarthy, F, Bismarck Bobcats, Round 3, #79 (2020-22)

Evan West, F, Danbury Jr. Hat Tricks, Round 3, #84 (2019-20)

Isaiah Norlin, D, Lone Star Brahmas, Round 3, #94 (2019-20)

Michael Marquez, F, Anchorage Wolverines, Round 4, #110 (2021-22)

Max Weilandt, G, St. Cloud Norsemen, Round 5, #145 (2021-22)

Aden Gariepy, G, Amarillo Wranglers, Round 5, #155 (2022-23)

Jack Keane, D, Danbury Jr. Hat Tricks, Round 6, #164 (2021-22)