Traverse City Northstars Hockey

The Traverse City Northstars is a Junior A team that plays in the North Division of the North American Hockey League. The playing season runs from September through April. Home games are at the Centre ICE Arena in Traverse City. Read more at the team's Web site, www.traversecitynorthstars.com.

The North American Hockey League was founded in 1975 when the Michigan Junior League and Wolverine Junior League combined to form the Great Lakes Junior Hockey League. In 1984, the name changed to the North American Junior Hockey League, and was later modified to the current North American Hockey League (NAHL) designation.

The 2008-09 campaign marks the 33rd season of NAHL competition, making it the oldest Junior A hockey league in the U.S. Dozens of players commit to NCAA hockey programs each year. The North Stars alone have more than two dozen alums currently in collegiate hockey after just three seasons in the league.
 
The NAHL has also produced its share of National Hockey League players. NAHL alums currently in the NHL include Brian Rafalski, Doug Weight, Ryan Miller, David Legwand, Rick DiPietro, Brian Rolston, and Brett Lebda among many others.

NAHL teams play almost exclusively against teams in their own divisions to minimize travel and allow students to pursue their educations. Teams play a 56-game regular season schedule that runs from September-April, with exhibition games and league playoff games providing additional contests.

Showcase events and the annual Robertson Cup championship tournament provide teams a chance to measure themselves in interdivisional competition, and attract numerous scouts and coaches from across North America to ensure visibility.

NAHL divisional alignment

North Division - Traverse City North Stars, Alpena IceDiggers, Mahoning Valley Phantoms, Marquette Rangers, Motor City Machine, USNTDP

Central Division - Albert Lea Thunder, Alexandria Blizzard, Bismarck Bobcats, North Iowa Outlaws, Owatonna Express

South Division - Springfield (IL) Jr. Blues, St. Louis Bandits, Topeka RoadRunners, Texas Tornado, Wichita Falls (TX) Wildcats

West Division - Alaska Avalanche, Fairbanks Ice Dogs, Kenai River Brown Bears, Wenatchee Wild

For Traverse City area information call 800-TRAVERSE (872-8377)
Telephone Information Center hours: Monday . Friday 9:00 A.M.. 5:00 P.M.
Traverse City Convention & Visitors Bureau, 101 W. Grandview Parkway, Traverse City, Michigan 49684
Toll Free: (800) 940-1120 or Local (231) 947-1120
Copyright © 2010 Traverse City Convention & Visitors Bureau Member Login | Site Map

Produced by Gaslight Media