NAHL 2020-2021 Thread

[JMCx4]

Just when you thought this season would never happen ... 46th NAHL season, starting October 9, 2020 and ending on April 25, 2021.

• NAHL 2020-21 Regular Season Schedule

• 2020-21 Division Alignment according to the League's schedule release announcement:
  • Central Division (6): Aberdeen Wings, Austin Bruins, Bismarck Bobcats, Minnesota Wilderness, Minot Minotauros, St. Cloud Norsemen
  • East Division (6): Danbury Jr. Hat Tricks, Johnstown Tomahawks, Maine Nordiques, Maryland Black Bears, New Jersey Titans, Northeast Generals
  • Midwest Division (5): Chippewa Steel, Fairbanks Ice Dogs, Janesville Jets, Kenai River Brown Bears, Minnesota Magicians
  • South Division (6): Amarillo Bulls, Lone Star Brahmas, New Mexico Ice Wolves, Odessa Jackalopes, Shreveport Mudbugs, Wichita Falls Warriors

Click to read more...

 

[JMCx4]

NAHL pre-season team previews from the League's "NA Now" feature series ...

• Aberdeen Wings
• Amarillo Bulls
• Austin Bruins
• Bismarck Bobcats
• Chippewa Steel
• Danbury Jr, Hat Tricks
• Fairbanks Ice Dogs
• Janesville Jets
• Johnstown Tomahawks
• Kenai River Brown Bears
• Lone Star Brahmas
• Maine Nordiques
• Maryland Black Bears
• Minnesota Magicians
• Minnesota Wilderness
• Minot Minotauros
• New Jersey Titans
• New Mexico Ice Wolves
• Northeast Generals
• Odessa Jackalopes
• Shreveport Mudbugs
• St. Cloud Norsemen
• Wichita Falls Warriors

ETA: That's all, folks!

 

[alko]

How it looks with Imports from Europe? Will they play?

 

[JMCx4]

If they are on a team roster, they should get a chance to play. NAHL teams are allowed up to 4 imports each (non-U.S. born players).

 

[alko]

If they are on a team roster, they should get a chance to play. NAHL teams are allowed up to 4 imports each (non-U.S. born players).

I know. But im asking, if they are allowed to play because COVID. In QMJHL, almost every EU player is at home, waiting for green light.

 

[JMCx4]

I know. But im asking, if they are allowed to play because COVID. In QMJHL, almost every EU player is at home, waiting for green light.

I don't know the answer to that question. Final NAHL rosters have not been issued (not that I've seen published). Could be that none of them have players from the EU.

 

[JMCx4]

All 23 teams are now represented in the NA Now pre-season profiles. First puck drop honors for the NAHL 2020-21 season go to the Maine Nordiques hosting the Northeast Generals on Friday night, October 9th. Good luck & good health to all of the teams and their fans.

ETA - Note To Mod: We need a socially distanced Wave emoji.

 

[JMCx4]

NAHL Plays of the Week - Week 1 ...




And the Week 1 recap ...

 

[JMCx4]

NAHL Plays of the Week - Week 2 ...




And the Week 2 recap ...

 

[JMCx4]

South Division play begins this weekend, including the first two games for the expansion Wichita Falls Warriors.

 

[JMCx4]

The Week 3 recap ...




ETA: And a belated Top Plays for Week 3 ...

 

[JMCx4]

Four weeks into the NAHL season, with the South Division start delayed until Week 3 and the Midwest Division resumption in play delayed until next weekend. Here are the current Divisional standings.

In the Central, Aberdeen are 6-0-0-0, outscoring their opponents 36-9. Minot isn't far back, with a 4-0-1-1 record while racking up the penalty minutes (99). The relocated & renamed St. Cloud Norsemen bring up the rear @ 0-5-0-0, scoring just 6 goals will keeping the penalty box warm (121 PIM).

In the East Division, Maine leads with a 7-2-0-0 record. Johnstown, Danbury & Maryland are separated by just 2 points, each with a winning record so far. The Northeast Generals are in last place early in the season, but lead the League with 138 penalty minutes to keep them busy in their defensive end.

It's too early to get a good feel for how the South Division teams are stacking up, with the Brahmas having played the most games games so far (4) and the Mudbugs not scheduled to start play until next weekend (playing on the road until the weekend before Christmas).

Still, it's a good feeling that SOMEBODY is playing hockey in the U.S..

 

[JMCx4]

Week 4 Recap ...




Week 4 Plays of the Week ...

 

[JMCx4]

Midwest Division play finally kicks in, and the Mudbugs start their season ...

 

[JMCx4]

Week 5 recap ...




Week 5 Plays of the Week ...

 

[JMCx4]

From: The North American Hockey League > News

NAHL and HockeyTech launch updated mobile app
November 10, 2020

The North American Hockey League (NAHL) is pleased to announce the launch of the updated NAHL mobile-based app powered by HockeyTech, the long-term provider of all NAHL digital services since 2015. The app is currently available for free download at both the iOS App Store and on Google Play.

Download the iOS App Store version here

Download the Google Play version here

... NAHL App features include:
• News feed
• Scores
• Standings
• Schedule
• Scoring Leaders
• Goaltending Leaders
• NCAA Commitments
• Streaks
• Watch Live on HockeyTV
• Social Feed, including posts to the NAHL’s Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube accounts ...

 

[JMCx4]

The NAHL schedule has been ticking along pretty well, 6 weeks into the season with the staggered division start dates seemingly reducing postponements - or maybe it was just regular sacrifices to the hockey gods .

Current Division standings are HERE. Aberdeen is the only undefeated team, leading the Central Division @ 8-0-0-0. Maine & New Jersey are 1-2 in the East, Kenai River & Janesville are tied for 1st place in the Midwest with 3 wins each (late start for that division), and the LS Brahmas are 5-1-0-0 to lead the South Division. Must feel good to be playing hockey again.

 

[JMCx4]

Week 6 recap ...




ETA: Week 6 top plays ...

 

[mk80]

Not only would this affect the Midwest and Central divisions which both have teams playing in Minnesota, noting that Fairbanks and Kenai River are both temporarily based out of MN right now. But 5 weeks exactly from today puts us at Dec 25. so it's a good bet that the NAHL and NA3HL showcases scheduled for December will either have to be rescheduled in Blaine for later dates, or played elsewhere.

 

[JMCx4]

From: The Minnesota Wilderness > News > Press Release

Wilderness Season Paused
November 21, 2020

Wilderness fans,

As a result of the latest executive order put out by the state of MN, the Wilderness will be pausing its season until at least December 26th. Our players and coaches have done an outstanding job of mitigating risk and responding quickly to keep our players as healthy as possible. I want to thank all of you for your continued support as it has been a struggle working through the consequences of the ongoing pandemic. With a vaccine on the horizon and a light at the end of the tunnel our plan is to reschedule most, if not all, of our games after the new year. We are looking forward to 2021 and hope that the team will be able to compete in front of more fans and more importantly college and professional scouts.

Dave Boitz
General Manager
Minnesota Wilderness

 

[JMCx4]

From: The Kenai River Brown Bears > Press Release

KENAI RIVER BROWN BEARS FORCED TO PAUSE SEASON IN MINNESOTA
November 20, 2020

The Kenai River Brown Bears, proud members of the North American Hockey League, confirmed today that a Forced Pause due to the Minnesota Emergency Order announcement has been enacted.

On Wednesday November 18th, MN Governor Walz announced a plan to address COVID spread and related issues, with an Emergency Order that closes all adult and youth sports, as well as many other actions. For the 6 NAHL teams currently in Minnesota, this Forced Pause has eliminated games and practices while closing Ice Arenas. Effective Friday at midnight, it has put the Midwest and Central Divisions in an impossible situation for playing hockey.

“With the announcement by MN Governor Walz, it has made it impossible to play/practice hockey and will force us to reschedule our upcoming games. Our home games and away games were jeopardized as they were all in, or against teams residing in, Minnesota.” Stated Chris Hedlund, General Manager of the Kenai River Brown Bears. “This encompasses 6 Minnesota teams and our Divisional partners in a major way. Rescheduling games is always challenging and adding in our goal to be back in Alaska adds even more complexity. We anticipate beginning in MN around the New Year and resuming our schedule with any modifications needed.”

“As it relates to being back in Alaska after the new year, we will continue to monitor travel restrictions, travel protocols, COVID testing, etc, to determine that outcome.” Stated Hedlund.

 

[JMCx4]

Another approach to saving a season ...

Bruins Announce Schedule Change Including Addition of Two Game Set At Janesville This Weekend
November 19, 2020

AUSTIN, Minn. – The Austin Bruins have announced a change in their schedule due to recent restrictions set by the state of Minnesota. While Friday’s home game against the Minnesota Wilderness will still take place in Austin as scheduled, Saturday’s away game in Cloquet has been postponed with a make-up date to be announced at a later date.

With the open weekend, the Bruins have announced a two-game set on the road against the Janesville Jets, Saturday and Sunday nights. These new games will replace the Bruins and Jets series originally scheduled for March 26 and March 27, 2021, allowing both teams to use those dates for other rescheduling as necessary.

As for the other games that will be impacted by these recent restrictions, nothing further has been decided beyond this weekend but talks are currently on-going with various teams in the NAHL to allow the Bruins to continue play outside of Minnesota. News on those discussions will become available as new plans become official.

 

[JMCx4]

Out of the 6 Minnesota-based teams, only the Norsemen & the Magicians have delayed significant decisions (or at least announcements) regarding how they will handle the governor's latest pandemic actions. St. Cloud seems to be hoping they can rely on week-to-week game postponements and find ways to reschedule when the future is more clear. Meanwhile in Richfield, it appears they are blowing the smoke of "an abundance of caution in an effort to operate as safe as possible for teams, players, staff, and fans" while the team figures out what to do next. Tough decisions ahead, but delay can only bring more disappointment.

 

[JMCx4]

NAHL Week 7 in the books, and they managed to squeeze in a Lucky 13 games. Here's the League's Weekly Recap ...



ETA: And just like clockwork, POTW ...

 

[CB1]

JMCx4, THANKS for all the updates and posts (and in the USHL thread)!!! They are very much appreciated!!! Interesting times and anxious to see how these leagues cope with the season.