NAHL Western Expansion 2026 | NCDC Teams Join, New Divisions

The NAHL Board of Governors approved five former NCDC Mountain Division teams for 2026-27, including Ogden, Utah, Idaho Falls, Grand Junction, and Pueblo. What the western expansion means for players, families, and the future of sanctioned junior hockey.

June 13, 2026

Steven Soos (Admin)

NAHL Expands West: Former NCDC Mountain Division Teams Join the League for 2026-27

The junior hockey landscape just shifted dramatically. On June 9, 2026, the NAHL Board of Governors approved the addition of four organizations from the NCDC's Mountain Division — Billings, Idaho Falls, Ogden, and Grand Junction — along with the relocation of the Chippewa Steel franchise to Pueblo, Colorado. Combined with the new unsanctioned league rule taking effect September 1, this expansion represents the most significant restructuring of western junior hockey in years.

For families navigating the junior hockey pathway, this changes the calculus in a big way. Here's what you need to know.

What Happened and Why It Matters

The NAHL is adding five teams to its western footprint for the 2026-27 season. Four are former NCDC Mountain Division programs that chose to leave the USPHL's unsanctioned umbrella and join the only USA Hockey-sanctioned Tier II league in the country. The fifth involves an existing NAHL franchise relocating to a new market.

The teams making the move:

Ogden Mustangs — One of the strongest brands in western junior hockey. The Mustangs have been a fixture in the Mountain West since 2011, originally competing in the Western States Hockey League before moving to the USPHL Premier Division and then the NCDC when the Mountain Division launched in 2023-24. They've posted back-to-back 37-win seasons in the NCDC and bring an established fan base and competitive track record to the NAHL.

Idaho Falls Spud Kings — The Idaho Falls market quickly established itself as a hockey hotbed after joining the junior ranks, and the organization brings strong community support to the NAHL.

Grand Junction River Hawks — Based in Grand Junction, Colorado, the River Hawks joined the NCDC for the 2025-26 season and are now making the jump to the NAHL after just one year in the USPHL system.

Pueblo Bulls (via Chippewa Steel relocation) — Rather than entering as a traditional expansion team, Pueblo's path into the NAHL comes through the relocation of the Chippewa Steel franchise from Wisconsin to Colorado. This transfers an existing NAHL charter and operational infrastructure directly to the Pueblo market, bypassing the usual expansion process. The Bulls have been a staple of Mountain West hockey since 2019, competing in the WSHL, USPHL Premier, and NCDC before this move.

Why These Teams Left the NCDC for the NAHL

The decision by these Mountain Division organizations to leave the NCDC isn't happening in a vacuum. Several factors made the NAHL increasingly attractive:

USA Hockey sanctioning is the big one. The NAHL is the only USA Hockey-sanctioned Tier II league in the US. The NCDC operates under the independent USPHL umbrella, outside of USA Hockey's jurisdiction. While the NCDC had certain operational freedoms — different roster rules, import limits, and scheduling flexibility — the NAHL's sanctioned status carries significant weight with NCAA programs and scouts.

The new unsanctioned league rule amplifies this. Starting September 1, 2026, any player who competes in even one game in an unsanctioned league becomes ineligible for the NAHL for the remainder of that season. This forces players and families into a binary choice: sanctioned pathway (USHL/NAHL/NA3HL) or unsanctioned pathway (NCDC/USPHL/EHL). For Mountain Division teams whose players aspire to move up to the NAHL, staying in the NCDC would have cut off that pipeline entirely.

The NAHL's exposure infrastructure is hard to match. The NAHL Showcase at the Super Rink in Blaine, the Top Prospects Tournament at USA Hockey Arena, and the league's established relationships with NCAA Division I programs provide a level of scouting visibility that the NCDC's Mountain Division simply couldn't replicate from Utah and Colorado.

The USHL's own western expansion is adding competitive pressure. The USHL recently announced expansion to Arizona, California, and Nevada. With the top Tier I league pushing West, NCDC Mountain Division teams faced the prospect of competing for players and attention against both the USHL and a growing NAHL — all while operating outside of USA Hockey's sanctioning umbrella.

Old Rivalries Reignite Under a New Banner

One of the most compelling storylines from this expansion is the reunion of rivalries that go back nearly a decade. During the late 2010s, El Paso, Ogden, and Utah were locked in a fierce, multi-year battle for the WSHL's Thorne Cup championship. Those teams will now share a division in the NAHL, bringing instant competitive history and genuine intensity to the league's western alignment.

For fans in these markets, this isn't an expansion team showing up with no history — it's a continuation of rivalries that already have real stakes and real passion behind them. That's rare in junior hockey expansion and could help these new NAHL markets build attendance and community engagement faster than typical expansion franchises.

What This Means for Players and Families

If your player is considering junior hockey in the Mountain West, this expansion changes the landscape significantly.

More Tier II opportunities out West. The NAHL's western presence has historically been limited. Adding five teams in Utah, Idaho, Montana, and Colorado creates a genuine western conference that gives players in those regions access to USA Hockey-sanctioned Tier II hockey without relocating across the country.

The sanctioned vs. unsanctioned decision is now clearer. With Ogden, Idaho Falls, Grand Junction, and Pueblo moving to the NAHL, the NCDC Mountain Division is effectively gutted. Players in the Mountain West who want to play Tier II now have a straightforward sanctioned option in their region. The unsanctioned league rule means choosing a remaining NCDC program closes the door on NAHL opportunities for that season.

New teams mean more roster spots. Five new teams need to fill rosters. Expansion teams typically have more open spots available through tryout camps and the draft than established teams with heavy returning rosters. For players on the bubble between Tier II and Tier III, these new programs could offer opportunities that wouldn't have existed a year ago.

Scouting coverage needs to follow. The big question for families is whether NCAA scouts will travel to places like Billings and Grand Junction with the same frequency they attend games in the East Division or at league showcases. The NAHL Showcase solves part of this — every team plays there — but regular-season scouting coverage in the Mountain West will need time to develop.

When it comes to choosing to commit to one of these teams, look at their previous success in the NCDC. Look into what their track record was in terms of wins, losses, and player advancements. Former player and parent reviews are also very crucial. The Hockey Review provides all of this data on teams.

What Comes Next: Divisional Realignment and Scheduling

The NAHL hasn't officially announced how it will reorganize its divisions to accommodate five new western teams, but some form of realignment is inevitable. The current four-division structure (Central, East, Midwest, South) will need to accommodate teams stretching from Montana to Colorado to Utah — markets that don't fit cleanly into any existing division.

The most likely scenario is a new Western Division or a significant reshuffling of the South and Central Divisions to create geographic sense. Scheduling will be a major consideration — travel distances between Billings and existing NAHL markets like Shreveport or Corpus Christi are enormous, and the league will need to balance competitive fairness with travel costs for these new organizations.

Official league announcements with divisional alignment, scheduling details, and staffing decisions are expected in the coming weeks. The Hockey Review will update this article as details are confirmed.

The Bigger Picture: Junior Hockey Is Reorganizing

This NAHL expansion doesn't exist in isolation. It's part of a broader reorganization of North American junior hockey driven by several converging forces: the NCAA's decision to allow CHL players to compete at the Division I level, tighter NCAA roster limits, the USHL's own western expansion, and the NAHL's unsanctioned league rule creating a harder boundary between sanctioned and unsanctioned pathways.

The net effect is that the sanctioned leagues (USHL, NAHL, NA3HL) are consolidating power and geographic reach, while the unsanctioned leagues (NCDC, USPHL, EHL) are also heavily expanding. For families, this means the choice of which pathway to pursue has never been more consequential — and getting honest, unbiased information about specific programs has never been more important.

That's exactly why The Hockey Review exists. As these new NAHL programs launch in 2026-27, we'll be tracking their development, collecting reviews from players and families, and providing the honest assessments parents need to make informed decisions. Read reviews of existing NAHL programs on The Hockey Review, and check back as we add profiles for Ogden, Idaho Falls, Grand Junction, Pueblo, and Billings.

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NAHL Guide 2026 | Teams, Costs, Draft & NCAA Stats

Author: Steven Soos(Admin)

The Complete Guide to the NAHL: Everything Players and Parents Need to Know

If you’re serious about playing college hockey, the North American Hockey League should absolutely be on your radar. As the only USA Hockey-sanctioned Tier II junior league in the United States, the NAHL sits at a critical point in the development pathway — above Tier III leagues like the NA3HL and below the Tier I USHL. For hundreds of families every year, the NAHL is where the dream of playing NCAA hockey becomes real.

But navigating this large league can be overwhelming. With 37 teams spread across the country, a draft system, tenders, combines, and showcases, there's a lot to understand before you make any decisions. This guide breaks it all down — the structure, the costs, the opportunities, and the honest realities of playing in the NAHL.

What Is the NAHL?

The North American Hockey League is a Tier II junior ice hockey league sanctioned by USA Hockey. Founded in 1975 (originally as the Great Lakes Junior Hockey League), the NAHL is the oldest junior hockey league of its kind in the United States and is now just about to wrap up its 51st season.
The league is composed of players typically aged 16–20, with no restrictions on the number of overage (20-year-old) players a team can carry. This means NAHL rosters tend to skew older and more physically mature than some competing leagues, which is both an advantage for development and a consideration for younger players entering the league.

*The average player age in the NAHL is 19.23*

The NAHL operates under a free-to-play model. Players do not pay tuition to play. Teams are privately owned and operated as businesses, generating revenue through ticket sales, corporate partnerships, broadcasting, and community programs — similar to minor professional hockey operations.
The scale of each team’s business operations varies from team to team. Don’t expect every team to be the same quality in terms of facilities and fanbase. A lot depends on the city and type of market each team is in.

League Structure: 37 Teams Across Four Divisions

For the 2025–26 season, the NAHL has 37 teams organized into four divisions:

Each team plays a 59-game regular season, running from mid-September through mid-April. The season concludes with divisional playoffs leading to the Robertson Cup Championship — the oldest junior hockey trophy in the United States, named after Chuck Robertson, a pioneer of junior hockey in Michigan.

2026 Western Expansion: More Opportunity

In June 2026, the NAHL Board of Governors approved its largest western expansion in league history, adding five teams for 2026-27: Ogden, Idaho Falls, Grand Junction, and Billings joining from the NCDC's Mountain Division, plus the Chippewa Steel relocating to Pueblo, Colorado. The move comes as the NAHL's new unsanctioned league rule — effective September 1, 2026, barring any player who appears in even one unsanctioned-league game from NAHL eligibility that season — pushes western programs toward the sanctioned pathway, alongside pressure from the USHL's own expansion into Arizona, California, and Nevada. The addition revives old WSHL-era rivalries (El Paso, Ogden, and Utah) under the NAHL banner and gives Mountain West families a legitimate USA Hockey–sanctioned Tier II option without cross-country relocation, though divisional realignment and NCAA scouting coverage in these new markets remain unresolved questions the league has yet to announce.

NCAA Development: The Numbers That Matter

This is the reason most families consider the NAHL — the league's track record of advancing players to college hockey.

During the 2025–26 season, the NAHL produced over 344 NCAA-committed players (as of June 2026), with roughly 55% of those being NCAA Division I commitments. The league has topped 300 total NCAA commitments in every season since 2016-17, reaching a single-season high of 395 in 2020-21. The 2024–25 season produced 347 commitments, including 245 to Division I.

The NAHL promotes that 37% of all NCAA Division I freshmen have NAHL experience — though independent tracking put direct-from-NAHL DI freshmen at around 60 players this season, a meaningful but much smaller share. Either way, the league remains a significant part of the college hockey pipeline.

What makes the NAHL's development model unique is that the vast majority of players arrive without an NCAA commitment and earn one during their time in the league. Unlike the USHL, where many players arrive with Division I offers already in hand, the NAHL functions as a true proving ground — players develop, get scouted at league events, and earn their opportunities through performance.

The CHL Eligibility Factor

It's worth noting a significant shift in the college hockey landscape. Beginning with the 2025–26 academic year, the NCAA ruled that players from the Canadian Hockey League (OHL, WHL, QMJHL) are now eligible for NCAA Division I hockey. This has introduced 150+ CHL players into the college hockey pipeline, competing for roster spots that previously went to players from leagues like the NAHL and BCHL.

Combined with the NCAA's new 26-player roster limit for Division I programs, the math has gotten tighter. The NAHL saw a decrease of roughly 55 DI commitments compared to the previous season. This doesn't diminish the league's value — it's still one of the best paths to college hockey — but families should understand that the landscape is more competitive than it was even two years ago.

This will mean that even pursuing NCAA DIII hockey will be getting tougher. The competition level for DIII will only continue to get better as we see the trickle down effects from this rule change affect the composition of DIII teams.

The Unsanctioned League Rule: What It Means for 2026–27

Perhaps the most consequential rule change for the 2026–27 season is the NAHL's new policy on unsanctioned leagues. Starting September 1, 2026, any player who competes in even a single game — regular season or exhibition — in a non-USA Hockey sanctioned league becomes ineligible for the NAHL for the remainder of that season.

The leagues affected are significant: the NCDC, USPHL Premier, USPHL Elite, and EHL are all unsanctioned. Only the USHL, NAHL, and NA3HL are considered sanctioned under this rule.

This is a direct shot at the NCDC in particular, which has been the NAHL's primary competitor for Tier II talent. The practical impact is that players can no longer hedge their bets — if you play a game in the NCDC and it doesn't work out, you can't move to the NAHL mid-season. The door is closed. Families now face a binary choice at the start of the season: sanctioned pathway (USHL/NAHL/NA3HL) or unsanctioned pathway (NCDC/USPHL/EHL).

For parents, this means the decision of which league to pursue has gotten significantly higher-stakes. You need to be confident in your choice before September 1, because switching mid-season is no longer an option in one direction.

How the NAHL Draft Works

The NAHL uses two drafts to build rosters: the Entry Draft and the newer Futures Draft.

Entry Draft

The 2026 NAHL Entry Draft takes place on June 10, 2026 at 1:00 PM CST and is broadcast live on NAHLTV. Players born between 2006 and 2010 who are amateur and under 21 as of December 31, 2026 are eligible. You do not need to register for the draft — teams scout and select players based on their evaluations throughout the season.

The number of picks each team gets is determined by a simple formula: 30 minus the number of players already on their protected list (veterans plus signed tenders). So a team with 23 protected players gets 7 draft picks. Draft order follows reverse standings — the worst teams pick first.

If you aren't drafted, you can still make an NAHL roster by attending individual team tryout camps. All rosters must be cut to 25 players by September 1.

Futures Draft

Introduced for the first time in 2025, the Futures Draft targets younger players — specifically 2010-born players. Each team selects two players across two rounds. Drafted players are added to their team's USA Hockey Affiliate Player List, allowing them to play in up to 10 NAHL games without being placed on the active roster. This lets young players get a taste of junior hockey while continuing to compete at the midget, high school, or prep school level.

Players drafted in the Futures Draft remain under the exclusive rights of their drafting team through March 10 of the following season. After that, unrostered and untendered players become free agents.

Key League Events and Exposure Opportunities

NAHL Showcase (September)

The annual Showcase at the Super Rink in Blaine, Minnesota is the biggest scouting event of the season. All 37 NAHL teams play three regular-season games, and the USNTDP U17 team also competes. Hundreds of NCAA and NHL scouts attend — this is their first comprehensive look at the league's talent for the season. For families, attending the Showcase is a great way to see multiple teams and understand the level of play.

Top Prospects Tournament (February)

Held at the USA Hockey Arena in Plymouth, Michigan — home of the USNTDP — the Top Prospects Tournament features the league's best uncommitted players. Teams are composed of divisional all-stars and select teams chosen with input from NHL Central Scouting. For the 2026 tournament, 140 athletes competed across seven teams plus the USNTDP. This is where NCAA programs finalize their recruiting lists for the following season.

NAHL Combines

The NAHL offers two combines: a Futures Combine for 2010–2012 birth year players and a Junior Combine for 2006–2010 birth years. These multi-day events feature games coached by NAHL and NA3HL staff, educational seminars for players and parents, and direct exposure to league coaches and scouts. They're particularly valuable for families new to junior hockey who want to understand the landscape before committing.

Robertson Cup Championship (May)

The four divisional champions meet at Fogerty Arena in Blaine, Minnesota to compete for the Robertson Cup — the oldest junior hockey trophy in the US. Beyond the championship itself, the event draws significant NCAA scouting attention as programs look to lock down final roster spots.

What Does It Actually Cost to Play in the NAHL?

The NAHL is tuition-free — you will never write a check to an NAHL team for the privilege of playing. But 'free to play' doesn't mean there are no costs. Here's what families should budget for:

Billet housing: Players without local family live with host (billet) families and typically pay $300–500 per month to cover food and living expenses. Many teams often also provide player housing in the form of dorms, apartments, and hotel rooms. This varies by team and market.

Equipment: Teams provide jerseys, team clothing, and select equipment (sticks, gloves, helmets). Players are generally responsible for the rest of their gear — skates, pants, shin guards, etc.

USA Hockey registration: Required for all players. The fee is modest (typically under $100) but mandatory.

Pre-draft exposure: This is where costs can add up before you even make a team. The average NAHL tryout camp costs $250–500. Many players attend multiple camps across several teams. Travel, hotel, and meal costs for camps can push total summer expenses to $3,000–6,500+ depending on how many camps you attend and how far you travel.

Family travel during the season: If you're attending your player's games, budget accordingly. Weekend trips to watch games can run $200–800+ depending on distance, and NAHL teams are spread across the entire country.

The total out-of-pocket cost for a season in the NAHL — including billet, personal equipment not provided by the team, and registration — typically runs $3,000–5,000. Most NAHL teams provide jerseys, pants, gloves, sticks, and helmets, so players are generally only responsible for skates, protective gear, and personal items. Family travel to games can add significantly depending on your situation, but the base cost of playing is a fraction of what pay-to-play leagues like the USPHL Premier or EHL charge.

Is the NAHL Right for Your Player?

The NAHL is the right fit for a specific type of player. Here's an honest assessment:

The NAHL is likely a good fit if your player is physically mature enough to compete with 19- and 20-year-olds, has realistic NCAA aspirations (Division I or III), wasn't drafted or tendered by a USHL team, is ready to leave home and commit to a full-season junior hockey schedule, and has the academic standing to maintain NCAA eligibility.

The NAHL may not be the right fit if your player is young (16–17) and still developing physically — the league's unlimited age-out rule means younger players can face significant physical mismatches. In that case, a Tier III league like the NA3HL might be a better developmental step first.

One of the NAHL's added benefits is its pathway from the NA3HL. During the 2025 NAHL Draft, 28 NA3HL players were selected, and 35 NA3HL players signed NAHL tenders. If your player isn't quite ready for Tier II, the NA3HL offers a direct and proven route into the NAHL system.

However, keep in mind that not all NA3HL players get a chance at playing for their team’s NAHL affiliate. This is a trap that many players and families fall into.Think about who else you’re competing with. Every NAHL organization has large scouting networks that are following the top talent across North America. This includes USHL-level players that didn’t quite make the cut and top players currently playing at junior A levels in Canada.

How to Research NAHL Programs Before You Commit

Not all NAHL programs are created equal. Before your family commits to a team, here's what to evaluate:

NCAA commitment history: How many players from this specific team have earned NCAA commitments in the last 3–5 years? Look at Division I and Division III numbers separately. A team that produces 15+ total NCAA commits per season is performing well.

Coaching stability: Has the coaching staff been consistent, or is there high turnover? Coaching changes mid-season or frequent staff departures can be a red flag for organizational instability.

Billet program quality: Ask current or former players about their billet families. A well-run billet program makes a massive difference in a player's experience and development.

Team culture and development philosophy: Does the team prioritize winning with older players, or does it invest in developing younger talent? Both approaches are valid, but they serve different types of players.

Community and market: NAHL teams range from large-market operations with professional-level game-day environments to smaller-market teams. Neither is inherently better, but the experience differs significantly for the player.

This is exactly why The Hockey Review exists. Our platform provides honest, structured reviews from players and parents who have direct experience with NAHL programs. Before you commit, read what people who've actually been there have to say.

The Bottom Line

The NAHL remains one of the best paths to college hockey in North America. With 344+ NCAA commitments this season, world-class exposure events, and a tuition-free model, it offers genuine opportunities for players serious about advancing to the next level. The landscape is shifting — CHL eligibility and tighter NCAA rosters mean the competition for college spots is fiercer than ever — but for the right player, the NAHL is exactly where they need to be.

Do your homework. Talk to current players and their families. Read reviews. And when you're ready, explore NAHL team reviews on The Hockey Review to hear directly from the people who've lived it.

May 8, 2026