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NAHL Showcase schedule released
NORTH AMERICAN HOCKEY LEAGUE
THE LEAGUE OF OPPORTUNITY
The Greatest Show on Ice returns to the Super Rink in Blaine, Minnesota from Sept. 14-17
DALLAS, Texas – The North American Hockey League (NAHL) has announced the game schedule for the 19th annual NAHL Showcase, which will be held from Sept. 14-17, 2022, at the Super Rink in Blaine, Minn. All 29 NAHL teams will play between three and four regular-season games at the Showcase, which is one of hockey’s most prominent and popular events of the entire season and has become the ‘Greatest Show on Ice.’
Scout Passes: Scout Passes for the 2022 NAHL Showcase will go on sale on Monday, Aug. 15 and will be available for purchase online at the NAHL Showcase website.
All 58 NAHL Showcase games will be broadcast live and in HD through HockeyTV, the official broadcast provider of the NAHL.
“The NAHL Showcase is truly the Greatest Show on Ice. No other event in the hockey world brings people together like the Showcase. The opportunity it represents for our teams and players is one that unique to the NAHL, and we always look forward to seeing a new crop of players and talent showcase their skills. We will continue to raise the bar and make the 2022 NAHL Showcase the best one yet, and we are looking forward to a great four days of hockey,” said NAHL Commissioner and President Mark Frankenfeld.
One of the things the NAHL does better than any other junior league is seeing their players earn an NCAA opportunity while playing and being showcased in the NAHL. To date, 336 players have already made NCAA commitments during the 2021-22 season, with 251 of those (75%) being NCAA Division I commitments.
The NAHL Showcase plays a big role in that success, with dozens of players each season earning an NCAA Division I opportunity during and following their participation in the event.
In addition to all 29 NAHL teams playing in the event, the United States National Team Development Program (NTDP) of the United States Hockey League (USHL) will be playing in the event in two exhibition games against the Johnstown Tomahawks on Friday, Sept. 16 and the Maine Nordiques on Saturday, Sept. 17. The NAHL Showcase attracts over 9,000 people in overall attendance, including more than 300+ professional, college and junior scouts. For scouting purposes, the NAHL Showcase is the premier event of its kind and is a yearly gathering for every NCAA program and NHL team as they get their first
2022 NAHL Showcase Schedule
Date Warm-Up Face-Off Arena Away at Home
September 14, 2022 10:30 AM 11:00 AM NSC 1 Maryland Black Bears at Janesville Jets September 14, 2022 10:45 AM 11:15 AM NSC 2 Amarillo Wranglers at Anchorage Wolverines September 14, 2022 11:00 AM 11:30 AM NSC 4 Northeast Generals at Austin Bruins September 14, 2022 1:15 PM 1:45 PM NSC 1 Bismarck Bobcats at Lone Star Brahmas September 14, 2022 1:30 PM 2:00 PM NSC 2 Johnstown Tomahawks at Chippewa Steel September 14, 2022 1:45 PM 2:15 PM NSC 4 Oklahoma Warriors at Minot Minotauros September 14, 2022 2:15 PM 2:45 PM NSC 3 Odessa Jackalopes at New Jersey Titans September 14, 2022 4:00 PM 4:30 PM NSC 1 Kenai River Brown Bears at Danbury Jr. Hat Tricks September 14, 2022 4:15 PM 4:45 PM NSC 2 Fairbanks Ice Dogs at Aberdeen Wings September 14, 2022 4:30 PM 5:00 PM NSC 4 Wisconsin Windigo at North Iowa Bulls September 14, 2022 5:00 PM 5:30 PM NSC 3 St. Cloud Norsemen at New Mexico Ice Wolves September 14, 2022 6:45 PM 7:15 PM NSC 1 Shreveport Mudbugs at Minnesota Wilderness September 14, 2022 7:00 PM 7:30 PM NSC 2 Philadelphia Rebels at Corpus Christi IceRays September 14, 2022 7:15 PM 7:45 PM NSC 4 El Paso Rhinos at Springfield Jr. Blues September 15, 2022 10:30 AM 11:00 AM NSC 1 Danbury Jr. Hat Tricks at Minot Minotauros September 15, 2022 10:45 AM 11:15 AM NSC 2 Oklahoma Warriors at Bismarck Bobcats September 15, 2022 11:00 AM 11:30 AM NSC 4 New Jersey Titans at Janesville Jets September 15, 2022 1:15 PM 1:45 PM NSC 1 Corpus Christi IceRays at Chippewa Steel September 15, 2022 1:30 PM 2:00 PM NSC 2 Maryland Black Bears at El Paso Rhinos September 15, 2022 1:45 PM 2:15 PM NSC 4 North Iowa Bulls at Shreveport Mudbugs September 15, 2022 2:00 PM 2:30 PM NSC 3 Philadelphia Rebels at Wisconsin Windigo September 15, 2022 4:00 PM 4:30 PM NSC 1 Anchorage Wolverines at Maine Nordiques September 15, 2022 4:15 PM 4:45 PM NSC 2 Minnesota Wilderness at Northeast Generals September 15, 2022 4:30 PM 5:00 PM NSC 4 Amarillo Wranglers at Kenai River Brown Bears September 15, 2022 4:45 PM 5:15 PM NSC 3 Austin Bruins at Springfield Jr. Blues September 15, 2022 6:45 PM 7:15 PM NSC 1 Odessa Jackalopes at Aberdeen Wings September 15, 2022 7:00 PM 7:30 PM NSC 2 New Mexico Ice Wolves at Fairbanks Ice Dogs September 15, 2022 7:15 PM 7:45 PM NSC 4 Lone Star Brahmas at St. Cloud Norsemen September 16, 2022 10:30 AM 11:00 AM NSC 1 Chippewa Steel at Northeast Generals September 16, 2022 10:45 AM 11:15 AM NSC 2 Wisconsin Windigo at Corpus Christi IceRays September 16, 2022 11:00 AM 11:30 AM NSC 4 Kenai River Brown Bears at Philadelphia Rebels September 16, 2022 1:15 PM 1:45 PM NSC 1 Springfield Jr. Blues at Shreveport Mudbugs September 16, 2022 1:30 PM 2:00 PM NSC 2 Janesville Jets at Lone Star Brahmas September 16, 2022 1:45 PM 2:15 PM NSC 4 Aberdeen Wings at Maryland Black Bears September 16, 2022 2:00 PM 2:30 PM NSC 3 Austin Bruins at Danbury Jr. Hat Tricks September 16, 2022 4:00 PM 4:30 PM NSC 1 New Jersey Titans at New Mexico Ice Wolves September 16, 2022 4:15 PM 4:45 PM NSC 2 El Paso Rhinos at Minnesota Wilderness September 16, 2022 4:30 PM 5:00 PM NSC 4 Bismarck Bobcats at Fairbanks Ice Dogs September 16, 2022 4:45 PM 5:15 PM NSC 3 Maine Nordiques at Oklahoma Warriors September 16, 2022 6:45 PM 7:15 PM NSC 1 Anchorage Wolverines at St. Cloud Norsemen September 16, 2022 7:00 PM 7:30 PM NSC 2 North Iowa Bulls at Odessa Jackalopes September 16, 2022 7:15 PM 7:45 PM NSC 4 Johnstown Tomahawks at USNTDP September 16, 2022 7:30 PM 8:00 PM NSC 3 Minot Minotauros at Amarillo Wranglers September 17, 2022 8:30 AM 9:00 AM NSC 1 New Mexico Ice Wolves at Maryland Black Bears September 17, 2022 8:45 AM 9:15 AM NSC 2 Springfield Jr. Blues at New Jersey Titans September 17, 2022 9:00 AM 9:30 AM NSC 3 Lone Star Brahmas at Kenai River Brown Bears September 17, 2022 9:30 AM 10:00 AM NSC 4 Danbury Jr. Hat Tricks at El Paso Rhinos September 17, 2022 11:15 AM 11:45 AM NSC 1 Northeast Generals at Oklahoma Warriors September 17, 2022 11:30 AM 12:00 PM NSC 2 Shreveport Mudbugs at Philadelphia Rebels September 17, 2022 11:45 AM 12:15 PM NSC 3 Corpus Christi IceRays at Johnstown Tomahawks September 17, 2022 12:15 PM 12:45 PM NSC 4 Fairbanks Ice Dogs at Odessa Jackalopes September 17, 2022 2:00 PM 2:30 PM NSC 1 Aberdeen Wings at Amarillo Wranglers September 17, 2022 2:15 PM 2:45 PM NSC 2 Minot Minotauros at Anchorage Wolverines September 17, 2022 2:30 PM 3:00 PM NSC 3 Janesville Jets at North Iowa Bulls September 17, 2022 3:00 PM 3:30 PM NSC 4 St. Cloud Norsemen at Wisconsin Windigo September 17, 2022 4:45 PM 5:15 PM NSC 1 Minnesota Wilderness at Bismarck Bobcats September 17, 2022 5:00 PM 5:30 PM NSC 2 Chippewa Steel at Austin Bruins September 17, 2022 5:45 PM 6:15 PM NSC 4 USNDTP at Maine Nordiques
All games played at the Super Rink in Blaine, MN. All times Central. For more information go to nahlshowcase.com
look at some of the best and brightest hockey talent North America has to offer. For more information on the NAHL Showcase including schedule, ticket prices, hotels, rental cars and arena information, visit www. nahl.com/showcase
It will be the first event of the season for the North American Prospects Hockey League (NAPHL) T1ER League, which will also be played in conjunction with the Showcase. Entering its 14th season in 2022-23, the NAPHL is made up of USA Hockey-sanctioned teams that compete in the 18U, 16U, 15U and 14U levels. NAPHL teams will compete at the NAHL Showcase from Sept. 15-18. The Super Rink is the largest ice arena of its kind in the world. The state-of-the-art facility, a $21 million project totaling over 300,000 square feet, features eight sheets of ice under one roof. With all its varied amenities and services, the Super Rink is absolutely unique in the world of ice sport facilities. About the NAHL
The NAHL, the only USA Hockey-sanctioned Tier II Junior league boasting 29 teams from across the United States, prides itself on the social maturity and skill development of student-athletes ages 1620 with aspirations of advancing to collegiate and/or professional hockey. During the 2021-22 season, the NAHL recorded 340+ NCAA commitments, which also included 252 (75%) NCAA Division I commitments. It marked the sixth straight year the NAHL has had over 300+ commitments in a season. Over the course of the past six years, 1,800+ NAHL players have made NCAA commitments and 35 NAHL players have been selected in the NHL Draft. For more information, visit www.nahl.com.
NA3HL.com @NA3HL NA3HL UPDATE
NA3HL sets new standard for player advancement
The North American 3 Hockey League (NA3HL) is pleased to announce that it is has once again set a new standard for player advancement to the North American Hockey League (NAHL) thanks to some record-setting numbers on the heels of the completion of the 2022 NAHL Entry Draft, which took place on Wednesday, June 15th.
Not only did 34 NA3HL players sign a tender to play in the NAHL for the upcoming 2022-23 season, but 27 more players were selected in the 2022 NAHL Entry Draft.
No other league has had more movement and advanced more players onto play in the NAHL than the NA3HL. Thanks to additional and enhanced initiatives that have been in place for the past few years in cooperation with the NAHL, more players from the NA3HL play, practice, and earn NCAA Division I scholarships with the NAHL than any other league.
“It is such an opportune and wonderful time to be involved and playing in the NA3HL. This season saw continued exposure initiatives that were put in place several years ago designed for NA3HL players to advance to the NAHL and beyond. These initiatives have increased the advancement numbers and provided an additional development path for those players in the NA3HL. The NA3HL enjoys all the same events that the NAHL does and has great owners and coaches. We all share in the common mission of creating an enhanced level of play and competition that is focused on a player’s development and advancement,” said NAHL Commissioner and President Mark Frankenfeld.
The NA3HL not only saw 61 of its players tendered or drafted by NAHL teams, but over 60 NA3HL alumni played in the NAHL this past season. The NA3HL also saw five current or former players make NCAA Division 1 commitments this past season.
The NA3HL is the only USA Hockey-certified Tier III junior hockey league and the only league that has an exclusive NAHL tendering system available only to NA3HL players. The tendering and draft pick process selections play a big part in the eventual advancement of players each season.
“NA3HL players are getting called up, playing, affiliated, and practicing on a regular basis with NAHL teams and we have seen so much interaction with the two leagues that it has built momentum to lead into what took place during the NAHL Draft,” said NA3HL Commissioner Blake Macnicol. “We are also continuing to ensure that the competition and league-wide events remain at the highest level, while also maintaining a focus on educating our players about NCAA compliance and the importance of education.”
As part of the enhanced initiatives that have now been in place for multiple seasons, all NAHL teams engaged and worked in cooperation with NA3HL teams for increased access to players, including allowing NA3HL players to practice with NAHL teams during the season. The program created additional dialogue between NAHL and NA3HL teams to find prospects and provide them an in-season opportunity for NAHL experience and evaluation. Its direct benefits are resulted in one-of-a-kind opportunities not found anywhere else in USA Hockey-sanctioned junior hockey.
The NA3HL also continues to make its mark and is one of the leaders in junior hockey with the advancement of players onto the NCAA. So far in 2022, the NA3HL has over 70+ college commitments, with over half of those being NCAA commitments. In addition, over 300 former NA3HL players are currently playing in the NCAA, and 26 former NA3HL are currently playing NCAA Division I hockey.
Halliday commits to Concordia
The Granite City Lumberjacks of the NA3HL are pleased to announce that defenseman Tal Halliday has committed to play NCAA Division III hockey for Concordia College in Minnesota.
Halliday, 21, played the past three seasons in the NA3HL for the Jacks. The 6’0/175 lbs. native of Roseau, MN, played in 112 career NA3HL regular season games for the Jacks where he posted 21 goals and 69 assists for 90 career points.
During the 2021-22 season, put up 45 points (13 goals, 32 assists) in 42 games played. He was named to the to the All-NA3HL 2nd team, the NA3HL All-West Division Team, and named to the 2022 Fraser Cup All-Tournament Team.
“Tal is a kid who will be extremely hard to replace on the back end. He was so dynamic for us. He had unbelievable vision and skating ability. We are excited for Tal to get this opportunity to play Division 3 hockey next year. Concordia is getting a really good one,” said Associate Head Coach DJ Vold.
Halliday also played in the NAHL during his junior career for both the St. Cloud Blizzard and Minot Minotauros during his rookie season in 2019-20 in which he was also named to the NA3HL All-West Division Team that season.
L.A. Kings sign former NAHL/NAPHL goalie
The LA Kings have signed former NAHL and NAPHL goaltender Pheonix Copley to one -year, one-way contract that is worth an annual average value (AAV) $825,000.
Copley, 30, joins the Kings after spending a total of six seasons (2014-15, 2017-22) with the Washington Capitals and two seasons with the St. Louis Blues (201517). This past season, the 6-4, 200-pound goaltender appeared in two NHL games with the Capitals, posting a 3.11 goals-against-average and .878 save percentage. He also skated in 35 AHL games with the Hershey Bears, earning an 18-12-7 record with a 2.38 GAA and .913 SV%.
The North Pole, Alaska native has appeared in 31 NHL games, including 29 with the Capitals and two with the Blues, registering a 16-9-3 record with a 2.98 goals-against-average, .900 save percentage and one shutout. He has also appeared in 226 AHL games with the Hershey Bears and Chicago Wolves, earning a 16-24-1 record, 3.12 GAA and .907 SV%. In 17 AHL postseason games, he also collected a 9-7-0 record with a 2.09 GAA and .935 SV%. In 2020-21, he helped the Bears earn the Harry Holmes Memorial Award for AHL best goaltending duo.
The undrafted netminder was signed by the Capitals as a free agent in 2014 after spending two seasons with Michigan Tech in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association. On July 2, 2015, he was acquired by the St. Louis Blues and made his NHL debut the following season on February 27, 2016, against the Nashville Predators. During the 2016-17 season, he was traded back to the Capitals and part of the Capitals 2018 Stanley Cup playoff run. Copley spent the entire 2010-11 season in the NAHL playing for the Corpus Christi IceRays and was the starting goalie the entire season. He played in 42 of 48 games for Corpus Christi. Copley was 14-23-4 with a 4.17 goals against and .880 save percentage. During his season in Corpus Christi, Copley, would catch the eyes of NCAA scouts.
Prior to that, Copley spent the previous 2009-10 season playing for the California Titans 18U team in the NAPHL during its inaugural season. In 10 regular season games he was 6-1 with one shutout and had a 2.62 goals against and .871save percentage and also helped the Titans capture the first NAPHL 18U Championship.
After a one-year stint in the USHL, Copley then spent two successful seasons at the NCAA Division I level with Michigan Tech.
DA BEAUTS!
Jake Guentzel, who led all Minnesota players in scoring in the NHL with 84 points this season, has been a part of Da Beauty League which is in its seventh season. Da Beauty League is a great opportunity to see some of the NHL’s brightest stars on a small stage and allows for kids see their hockey heroes up close.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF DA BEAUTY LEAGUE. League brings excitement in dog days of summer
by SHAFIN KHAN
LET’S PLAY HOCKEY CONTRIBUTOR
Braemar Arena in Edina has been buzzing with excitement as “Da Beauty League” has returned to Braemar Arena for its seventh season in action. The horn blasted off July 13 to get things underway for the season opener.
This once-a-year six-week league brews a lot of excitement within the Minnesota hockey community as it provides hockey heads everywhere the opportunity to see several prominent NHL players up close and personal at an affordable cost.
“Da Beauty League feels like its become part of the community. Of course, there are million-dollar NHL players competing in pickup-style competitive games but it feels like the atmosphere of a local high school game or outdoor hockey game,” said Ben Hankinson, on of several co-founders of the league. “The fans get the upclose experience to see some of the best players in the world in a relaxed and fun environment.”
This season some top names the league will feature are: Brock Boeser, Derek Stepan, Eric Haula, K’Andre Miller, Zach Parise, Justin Kloos, Jake Guentzel, Nate Schmidt, James Van Riemsdyk, Brock Nelson, Alex Goligoski, Nick Leddy, Nick Bjugstad, and Jake Gardiner. Some famous names that have come through in the past include TJ Oshie, Paul Martin and Dustin Byfuglien.
“Da Beauty League has taken on a life of its own over the past 5-6 years. It’s been incredible to see the players show up on summer nights to play some pickup hockey at an extremely competitive level along with getting a great workout,” Hankinson said. “That’s the best part about it, they just show up, and to have fans, a ref, and a scoreboard brings out the best in them. We weren’t quite sure what to expect when the league started but it’s sure been a fun ride with big crowds, great players and charities that benefit from all of this.”
Da Beauty league has attracted various sponsors for the six teams in its league that this year include BIC Corporation, Nor-Son Inc., Tradition Companies, Tria Orthopedic Center, Element Electronics and Walser Automotive. Each team is made up of NHL players, collegiate players, and elite amateurs. Coaches for each team are also former NHL players and they have the power to trade players throughout the season on their quest for the John Scott Cup. Each team consists of anywhere between 10-14 players during any given point of the season.
The league trophy is named after Scott, a former NHL all-star, and teams compete for the ultimate prize being the John Scott Cup which is a beer keg. Scott is a former NHL player who put together a 10-year career and played for a myriad of teams. One of the major highlights from Scott’s career came when he was named captain of the Pacific Division team in the 2016 NHL All-Star game and went on to win the game’s Most Valuable Player.
“My favorite part of Da Beauty League is the small hometown feel you have between the players, fans, and staff. I love seeing the players signing autographs walking in and out of the arena, laughing on the benches, to battling hard in the final minutes of the games. It’s just such a cool vibe to be a part of it and knowing we have Shine A Light, United Heroes League, Herb Brooks Foundation and Hendrickson Foundation charities all benefitting from all the fun we are having.” - Ben Hankinson, Co-Founder of Da Beauty League
A key pillar of Da Beauty League is their relationship with multiple charities who ultimately are the overall winners, garnering proceeds from the league to help fund their specific causes. These charities include the United Heroes League, Shine A Ligh7, the Hendrickson Foundation and the Herb Brooks Foundation. The league paired up with Shine A Ligh7 on July 2 to help put the spotlight and bring awareness to mental health in youth athletes and youth overall.
“We are proud to support Shine A Ligh7 and are excited to have them bring their important cause and family fun event to Da Beauty League,” said Hankinson. “My favorite part of Da Beauty League is the small hometown feel you have between the players, fans, and staff. I love seeing the players signing autographs walking in and out of the arena, laughing on the benches, to battling hard in the final minutes of the games. It’s just such a cool vibe to be a part of it and knowing we have Shine A Light, United Heroes League, Herb Brooks Foundation and Hendrickson Foundation charities all benefitting from all the fun we are having.”
For each of the 11 nights during the season, the league will also be putting together a raffle where one lucky fan will be taking home a 50’ flatscreen TV. Another fun perk the league put together through their partnership with Great Clips is that they will be hosting “Free Mullet Night” every night they play for anyone and everyone to come participate in and get a free flow chop.
Da Beauty League puts together three games a night every Wednesday through the month of July that start at 5 p.m. and end around 8:30 p.m. The league will increase their games to every Monday and Wednesday in August up until the Championship game on August 24. Tickets are $15 per night or spectators can buy a $99 package for the five week season. Kids have free entry.
“The fan experience at Da Beauty League is one of a kind, from the cheap ticket prices, to getting a free mullet cut, to seeing the best players around play like they care all in a small town local rink,” Hankinson said. “Not to mention there are back to back-toback games with loaded lineups. It’s so fun for the players to see the fans enjoy the summer atmosphere as well because there are always smiling faces and a few roaring laughs in the crowd on any given night. It’s so great to see the kids getting autographs from their favorite players and watching the
Kids clamor for the attention of some of hockey’s biggest stars who come home to Minnesota and play at Braemar Arena in Edina. The league is a non-profit and benefits several charities throughout the state. The league will run through most of August on Monday and Wednesday nights. It also serves as an opportunity for NHL players to come home to their families and still train with their colleqgues in a fun, yet at times, competitive atmosphere.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF DA BEAUTY LEAGUE
players interact with the fans as well.” For those that are unable to see the games live and in-person, the league has put together a stream to the games that fans can access on their website at dabeautyleague.com.
