T1ER League Announces 2026-27 Season Schedule
The North American Prospects Hockey League (NAPHL) is proud to announce the official schedule for the 2026-27 T1ER League season. Featuring premier Tier I youth hockey competition, the T1ER League continues to set the standard in player development, national exposure, and advancement to junior and collegiate hockey.
The upcoming season features an intense schedule filled with mandatory showcases, regional NAHL Experience events, and Top Prospects tournaments.
As the T1ER enters the 2026-27 season, the league continues to build upon record advancement and exposure that is unmatched in youth hockey. During the past year alone, T1ER players earned 67 NAHL tenders, 9 NAHL Futures Draft selections, 22 NAHL Draft selections, 19 USHL Draft selections, and 19 T1ER Alumni participated in NHL Development Camps further demonstrating the effectiveness of the NAHL's development model.
“The T1ER League provides one of the premier development pathways in youth hockey,” said Dennis Vickers, Director of Player Personnel for the NAHL. “Our schedule is built to maximize competition, exposure, and advancement by putting players in front of NAHL, USHL, NCAA scouts throughout the season. The continued success of our alumni—from NAHL tenders and draft picks to NHL Development Camp invitations—demonstrates the strength of the T1ER pathway and the ladder of development the NAHL provides under its family of leagues.”
The T1ER League, operated under the NAPHL, is the nation’s premier Tier I youth hockey platform focused on the ladder of development. Built around a national showcase model, the league features high-level competition, and exposure and integration with the North American Hockey League (NAHL).
The 2026-27 T1ER League season will be highlighted by these events:
REQUIRED EVENTS:
NAHL Showcase
Blaine, MN | Sep. 24-27, 2026
The NAHL Showcase features 100+ teams competing with exposure to 300+ scouts including NHL, NCAA, and Junior league scouts. USNTDP 17U is included in the competition.
T1ER / T1EHL 18U Invitational
Blaine, MN | Oct. 30-Nov 2, 2026
40+ of the Top 18U teams in the country compete at this invitational which coincides with NAHL tender release date. Attendance is required for 15U, 16U, and 18U.
Dixon Cup Championship
Troy/Rochester, MI | Feb 12-15, 2027
The Dixon Cup Championship brings together the league’s top teams across all divisions, 13U-18U seeded via CBD Power Rankings, for the most important stage of the season. This event features attendance from NAHL scouts and staff.
REGIONAL NAHL EXPERIENCE / REGIONAL SHOWCASE EVENTS:
• Janesville Jets West Showcase | Janesville, WI | Oct. 16–19, 2026
• T1ER East Exposure Showcase | Marlborough, MA | Nov. 21–23, 2026
• Philadelphia Rebels East Showcase | Sewell, NJ | Dec. 4–6, 2026
• T1ER Central Exposure Showcase | Fairport, NY | Jan. 29–31, 2027
PROSPECT EVENT:
T1ER Top Prospects @ NAHL Combine
St. Louis, MO | April 2-4, 2027
This event features the top 18U and 16U players from across the T1ER League, and will once again serve as one of the premier showcases for advancement within the NAHL family of leagues.
New Team Applications & Inquiries:
Dennis Vickers – Director of Player Personnel (dvickers@nahl.com)
