By Delorean Fleetwood
Dallas, TX: The North American 3 Hockey League enters its 17th season as the only USA Hockey-sanctioned Tier III junior league, with 38 teams across six divisions and a 47-game regular season that opens September 4, 2026 and closes March 14, 2027.
Thirty-five players already hold NAHL tenders and 27 more were taken in the 2026 NAHL Draft, underscoring the league’s role as the primary feeder into the NAHL and a major pipeline to NCAA and ACHA programs.
Last season’s Fraser Cup in St. Peters, Missouri, ended with the Granite City Lumberjacks blanking the defending champions, the Louisiana Drillers, 4-0 for their fifth Fraser Cup Championship.
The West Bend Power had the best record in Central; Louisiana remained the Southeast standard; Sheridan and Helena set the Frontier pace; Long Beach flipped the East; The Texas Brahmas were the South’s most complete club.
The league NA3HL added five new programs for 2026-27: Fox Cities Forge, Garden State Gamblers, Oklahoma City Warriors, Phoenix Inferno, and Minnesota Vulcans.
The 2027 Fraser Cup Playoff structure is expected to remain the same. The top four in each division play a best-of-three series for the division semifinals and finals, with the six division champions advancing to the Fraser Cup Tournament (two three-team pools, then a semifinal and final).
The 2027 Fraser Cup Playoffs will take place in St. Louis, MO from March 31-April 4, 2026 at the St. Peter Rec Plex.
EAST DIVISION
Garden State Gamblers
Head Coach: Frankie Gerbasi (Entering 1st season)
2026-27 Division: East Division
Location: Brick Township, New Jersey
Arena: The Ice Palace
The Gamblers will be playing their inaugural NA3HL campaign this season, looking to build a team and pipeline to follow. The Gamblers should be in the mix for a playoff berth in their first season.
Long Beach Sharks
Head Coach: Jeff Tory (Entering 6th season)
2025-26 Season Record: 31-13-2-1 (1st in East Division)
2025-26 Leading Scorer: Sean Bailey (25G 28A – 53 points)
2026 Playoffs: Eliminated in Fraser Cup Championship Pool Play by the Texas Brahmas
2026-27 Division: East Division
Location: Oyster Bay, New York
Arena: Long Beach Ice Arena
The Sharks will look to repeat as East Division Champions, after being eliminated in pool play in the Fraser Cup Playoffs last season. Recruiting is the name of the game.
New Hampshire Jr. Mountain Kings
Head Coach: Clint Cassavaugh (Entering 4th season)
2025-26 Season Record: 25-16-4-2 (2nd in East Division)
2025-26 leading scorer: Jacob Landry (21G 23A – 44 points)
2026 Playoffs: Eliminated in the Division Finals by the Long Beach Sharks
2026-27 Division: East Division
Location: Hooksett, New Hampshire
Arena: Tri Town Ice Arena
The Mountain Kings fell just short in the East Division Finals, losing to the Long Beach Sharks. With new and returning production coming into New Hampshire this season, it’s all about chemistry.
New Jersey Titans
Head Coach: Ryan Swain (Entering 2nd season)
2025-26 Season Record: 20-22-3-2 (4th in East Division)
2025-26 leading scorer: Jackson Daugherty (22G 31A – 53 points)
2026 Playoffs: Eliminated in Division Semifinals by the Long Beach Sharks
2026-27 Division: East Division
Location: Middletown, New Jersey
Arena: Middletown Ice Arena
The Titans will look to add to their momentum this season, as they take the next step towards winning the East Division, after being sent home in the first round by the Long Beach Sharks.
Norwich Sea Captains
Head Coach: Kevin Cunningham (Entering 6th season)
2025-26 Season Record: 21-24-2-0 (5th in East Division)
Arena: Riley Arena
2025-26 Leading Scorer: Kolin Krizan (16G 23A – 39 points)
2026-27 Division: East Division
Location: Norwich, Connecticut
Arena: RoseGarden Ice Arena
The Sea Captains will have some choppy waters ahead, as they look to get out of the East Division basement and take the next step on their journey: making the playoffs this season, though it won’t be easy.
SOUTHEAST DIVISION
Atlanta Capitals
Head Coach: Jeff Pyle (Entering 2nd season)
2025-26 Season Record: 8-39-0-0 (6th in Southeast Division)
2025-26 Leading Scorer: Jaylen Fluhr (21G 19A – 40 points)
2026-27 Division: Southeast Division
Location: Sandy Springs, Georgia
Arena: Atlanta Ice Forum
The Capitals will have their work cut out for them in the rough and tumble Southeast, having to go up against the likes of the Texas Roadrunners, Austin Ice Bats, and Louisiana Drillers. New acquisitions and talent brings promise of better days ahead, but will it show in the standings?
Austin Ice Bats
Head Coach: Harrison Feeney (Entering 1st season)
2025-26 Season Record: 32-13-1-1 (2nd in South Division)
2025-26 Leading Scorer: Jake Bamback (41G 46A – 87 points)
2026 Playoffs: Eliminated in the Division Finals by the Texas Brahmas
2026-27 Division: Southeast Division
Location: Cedar Park, Texas
Arena: Chaparral Ice at the Crossover
The Ice Bats lost to the Texas Jr. Brahmas in the South Division Finals last season, but with a new gritty mentality with solid goaltending behind coach Feeney’s team, will it be enough to carry them to the Fraser Cup Tournament? The Southeast Division is more forgiving than the dreaded South, but the Louisiana Drillers are still the team to beat.
Bayou State Rougarou
Head Coach: Paul MaClean (Entering 2nd season)
2025-26 Season Record: 14-32-0-1 (4th in Southeast Division)
2025-26 Leading Scorer: Ethan Tierman (45G 29A – 73 points)
2026 Playoffs: Eliminated in the Division Semifinals by the Louisiana Drillers
2026-27 Division: Southeast Division
Location: Shreveport, Louisiana
Arena: Monroe Civic Center
The Rougaroux were able to cobble together enough wins to get a (albeit a very short one) first round match-up against the Louisiana Drillers. This year is all about closing the gap between them and the two Texas based teams.
Louisiana Drillers
Head Coach: Chris Francis (Entering 4th season)
2025-26 Season Record: 46-0-1-0 (1st in Southeast Division)
2025-26 Leading Scorer: Brody Neish (62G 93A – 155 points)
2026 Playoffs: 2026 Fraser Cup Championship Runner-Ups
2026-27 Division: Southeast Division
Location: Lafayette, Louisiana
Arena: Planet Ice Arena
The Drillers have made the Fraser Cup Finals the last two seasons, going 99-5-5-1 in that period, winning the Fraser Cup in 2025 before losing to Granite City last season in the finals. After losing only three times all last season (once in regulation, in the Fraser Cup Finals), what can Louisiana do for an encore?
No team in NA3HL history has ever made three Fraser Cup Finals in a row, but Coach Chris Francis is always pushing his team to be the best they can be. Brody Neish had a whopping 155 points last season and the Drillers will need all of that effort with the rest of the league gunning for them.
Look for the Drillers to capture the Southeast Division once again, if not, Austin is a major threat if they can squeeze by Louisiana.
Pelham Prowlers
Head Coach: Kevin Kerr (Entering 1st season)
2025-26 Season Record: 12-32-2-1 (5th in Southeast Division)
2025-26 Leading Scorer: Marlon Derksen (41G 37A – 78 points)
2026-27 Division: Southeast Division
Location: Pelham, Alabama
Arena: Pelham Civic Center
The lone NA3HL team based in Alabama begins their second season looking to take the next step in their development process. Making the playoffs should be the goal this season.
Texas RoadRunners
Head Coach: Mike Beavis (Entering 8th season)
2025-26 season record: 30-17-0-0 (2nd in Southeast Division)
2025-26 leading scorer: Joseph Izzo (25G 54A – 79 points)
2026 Playoffs: Eliminated in the Division Finals by the Louisiana Drillers
2026-27 Division: Southeast Division
Location: College Station, Texas
Arena: Spirit Ice Arena
Coach Beavis picked up his 400th win in College Station last season, but the Rodrunners will need to play a 200 foot game if they are going to surpass the Louisiana Drillers. Texas’ measuring stick test against Austin will reveal how close they are to advancing to the Fraser Cup Tournament this spring.
SOUTH DIVISION
New Mexico Ice Wolves
Head Coach: Isaac Washburn (Entering 2nd season)
2025-26 Season Record: 29-14-1-3 (4th in South Division)
2025-26 Leading Scorer: Jacob Wenner (18G 37A – 55 points)
2026 Playoffs: Eliminated in the Division Semifinals by the Texas Brahmas
2026-27 Division: South Division
Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Arena: Outpost Ice Arenas
One of the most consistent organizations on and off the ice, New Mexico and their dash of teal have colored the junior hockey world with their success.
The Ice Wolves will look to take the next step in the South Division, which became easier now that the Austin Ice Bats are in the Southeast Division and a new Oklahoma Warriors NA3HL team joining.
The Ice Wolves should be the top contender to defeat the Texas Jr. Brahmas come playoff time.
Oklahoma City Warriors
Head Coach: Ken Hoey (Entering 1st season)
2026-27 Division: South Division
Location: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Arena: Blazers Ice Center
The 2023 Robertson Cup Champions are fielding a NA3HL team starting this season. It won’t be an easy climb to the top against the likes of the Texas Jr. Brahmas and New Mexico Ice Wolves.
Then again, the inagural NAHL Warriors had arguably the most shocking, surprising, and maybe dominant first year in NAHL history, when they finished with the league’s best record and had a perfect 11-0 playoff record on their way to winning the Bobby.
So don’t count these Warriors. They did it once, they could do it again.
Phoenix Inferno
Head Coach: Troy Mick (Entering 1st season)
2026-27 Division: South Division
Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Arena: Fire ‘N’ Ice Arena
Arizona hockey fans rejoice! The Coyotes might be gone, but the Firebirds have risen out of the ashes with a brand new arena to call home in the years to come!
The new look South Division can provide an opportunity to get the fans howling for more hockey, as the Inferno have a legitimate shot of making the playoffs in the six team South.
Look for Arizona to use it’s unique pipeline and build a solid team for their inaugural campaign. The Inferno should be able to push for a Fraser Cup Playoffs bid this winter.
Texas Brahmas
Head Coach: Michael Rooney (Entering 2nd season)
2025-26 season record: 36-7-2-2 (1st in South Division)
2025-26 leading scorer: John Scharf (27G 34A – 61 points)
2026 Playoffs: Eliminated in the Fraser Cup Semifinals by the Louisiana Drillers
2026-27 Division: South Division
Location: North Richland Hills, Texas
Arena: NYTEX Sports Center
Texas not only produces Robertson Cup Championship caliber teams at the NAHL level, but Fraser Cup Championship caliber teams at the NA3HL level, as well, winning it in 2019. Texas is THE place to play.
The Junior Brahmas will once again be a factory in the South and National level. The Brahmas ran into a buzz saw in the Louisiana Drillers last season (let’s face it, the fact that team lost was more surprising).
Outside of New Mexico, no one should challenge this team seriously until the Fraser Cup Tournament (should they win the South). The question is, will they finish the job this time in April?
Tulsa Oilers
Head Coach: Kevin Dessart (Entering 1st season)
2025-26 season record: 4-43-0-0 (6th in South Division)
2025-26 leading scorer: Alexander Elsner (11G 17A – 28 points)
2026-27 Division: South Division
Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma
Arena: WeStreet Ice Center
There’s nowhere to go but up for the Junior Oilers, after a disastrous sophomore campaign. The division did get a bit easier, with a new Oklahoma team coming in and Austin moving to the Southeast.
Tulsa will win more games this season. But will they cobble together enough to grab a top four seed in the six team South Division?
Coach Kevin Dessart will certainly have his work cut out for him.
West Texas Wranglers
Head Coach: Gordon Bell (Entering 1st season)
2025-26 season record: 12-30-4-1 (5th in South Division)
2025-26 leading scorer: William Andegren (17G 14A – 31 points)
2026-27 Division: South Division
Location: Amarillo, Texas
Arena: Amarillo Ice Ranch
Coach Gordan Bell’s group will look to improve upon their 12 wins in a new look South Division this season. A playoff spot is definitely a possibility in the six team South.
With his own experience and connection to the Amarillo Wranglers of the NAHL, Coach Bell should be able to get the most out of his Wranglers in 2026-27.
Expect Amarillo to challenge for a playoff spot, as Texas and New Mexico are locks, with complete uncertainty after that. Oklahoma and Phoenix new, while West Texas and Tulsa won 12 and four games respectively last season.
Outside the Junior Brahmas and Ice Wolves, the final two playoff spots in the South are up for grabs.
WEST DIVISION
Alexandria Blizzard
Head Coach: Jeff Crouse (Entering 17th season)
2025-26 Season Record: 28-15-3-1 (3rd in West Division)
2025-26 Leading Scorer: Caleb Waller (41G 45A – 86 points)
2026 Playoffs: Eliminated in the Division Finals by the Granite City Lumberjacks
2026-27 Division: West Division
Location: Alexandria, Minnesota
Arena: Runestone Community Center
The Blizzard had a great season in 2025-26, falling short to the eventual Fraser Cup Champions in the West Division Finals.
Longtime Coach Jeff Crouse believes moving to the West Division will foster a better competitive roster with rivalries, which, in turn, should make Alexandria a Fraser Cup worthy team for years to come.
Expect the Blizzard to continue to be in the West Division picture. If they can finally defeat their longtime rival, the Granite City Lumberjacks, Alexandria should win their first Fraser Cup.
Granite City Lumberjacks
Head Coach: DJ Vold (Entering 4th season)
2025-26 Season Record: 37-7-1-2 (1st in West Division)
2025-26 Leading Scorer: Ty Smith (43G 42A – 85 points)
2026 Playoffs: 2026 Fraser Cup Champions
2026-27 Division: West Division
Location: Sauk Rapids, Minnesota
Arena: Miller Buick GMC Rink
The Lumberjacks avenged their loss in the 2025 Fraser Cup Semifinals by pulling off the most shocking upset, maybe in NA3HL history, with their 4-0 win against the Louisiana Drillers at the 2026 Fraser Cup Finals, last season.
The Drillers had lost only twice all season (once in the regular season, and the other in Fraser Cup pool play), both in OT, before the 2026 Fraser Cup Finals. What will they do for an encore in 2026-27?
It all starts with small attention to details and a family atmosphere at the friendly confines of Miller GMC Buick Rink at Sports Arena East.
Granite City have won the Fraser Cup a whopping fuve times. They are the gold standard, and the West Division is theirs, until they say otherwise. Back to back Fraser Cups are definitely a possibility.
Minnesota Vulcans
Head Coach: Todd Sanden (Entering 1st season)
2026-27 Division: West Division
Location: Blaine, Minnesota
Arena: Fogerty Arena
The Minnesota Vulcans are a spiritual successor to the old Blaine Energy. The franchise rights of the Evansville Junior Thunderbolts via the Oregon (Wisconsin) Tradesmen have brought NA3HL hockey back to Blaine, Minnesota in 2026-27.
The Vulcans can expect a high level of competitiveness and player development in their inagural season playing in the NA3HL.
Minnesota Wilderness
Head Coach: Chris Ratzloff (Entering 3rd season)
2025-26 Season Record: 10-36-0-1 (6th in West Division)
2025-26 leading scorer: Ethan Jacobson (11G 28A – 39 points)
2026-27 Division: West Division
Location: Eveleth, Minnesota
Arena: Eveleth Hippodrome
The NA3HL affiliate to the NAHL Minnesota Wilderness, just an hour south in Cloquet, Minnesota, the NA3HL squad looks to improve upon their measly 10 win season.
Developmental growth and competitive spirit will be the calling cards, as the Wilderness look to take the next step in West Division.
North Iowa Bulls
Head Coach: Alex North (Entering 2nd season)
2025-26 Season Record: 20-22-5-0 (4th in West Division)
2025-26 Leading Scorer: T.J. Gibson (25G 25A – 50 points)
2026 Playoffs: Eliminated in Division Semifinals by the Granite City Lumberjacks
2026-27 Division: West Division
Location: Mason City, Iowa
Arena: North Iowa Ice Arena
With the NAHL North Iowa Bulls having relocated to Richmond, Texas to become the Houston Bulls, their NA3HL affiliate, the Mason City Toros, rebranded as the North Iowa Bulls, ensuring that Mason City, Iowa has hockey in the Northern Iowa region in the future.
After a quick first round exit to the eventual Fraser Cup Champions, the Granite City Lumberjacks, North Iowa is likely to continue to the winning tradition established.
Expect the Bulls to charge their way back into the playoffs. They may even win a playoff series as well.
Willmar Warhawks
Head Coach: Joey Fodstad (Entering 1st season)
2025-26 season record: 19-26-2-0 (5th in West Division)
2025-26 leading scorer: Max Jackson (14G 29A – 43 points)
2026-27 Division: West Division
Location: Willmar, Minnesota
Arena: Willmar Civic Center
First year Head Coach Joey Foestad is looking to play fast, skilled, and physical for the Warhawks this season. Willmar will certainly have their work cut out for them. The West is one of the toughest in all of NA3HL and arguably the most competitive from top to bottom.
Willmar should compete for a playoff spot, but 2027-28 is likely the year to expect a bigger breakout in Willmar, Minnesota.
CENTRAL DIVISION
Fox Cities Forge
Head Coach: Logan Wilt (Entering 1st season)
2026-27 Division: Central Division
Location: Appleton, Wisconsin
Arena: Appleton Valley Ice Center
Fox Cities will look to forge a competitive team in the Central Division this season, as they began their inaugural NA3HL campaign.
Look for Fox Cities to make a jump through that competitive roster in the Central Division standings. A playoff spot is definitely on the table next season if not this season.
Peoria Mustangs
Head Coach: Chase Ernst (Entering 1st season)
2025-26 Season Record: 7-38-2-0 (6th in Central Division)
2025-26 Leading Scorer: Brendon Miller (25G 27A – 52 points)
2026-27 Division: Central Division
Location: Peoria, Illinois
Arena: Owens Center
Peoria will look to reverse their fortunes this season, after winning only seven games all of last season.
New coach Chase Ernst brings a wealth of coaching experience at the NA3HL level and will look to install a “Culture of Champions” in his young Mustangs.
Peoria will win more games. The question boils down to how many will they win this season.
Rochester Grizzlies
Head Coach: Marty Raymond (Entering 2nd season)
2025-26 season record: 29-17-1-0 (2nd in Central Division)
2025-26 leading scorer: Mason Decker (39G 28A – 67 points)
2026 Playoffs: Eliminated in Fraser Cup Semifinals by the Granite City Lumberjacks
2026-27 Division: Central Division
Location: Rochester, Minnesota
Arena: Rochester Recreation Center
The Grizzlies return with the 2025-26 Coach of the Year behind the helm once again. With the adversity they faced and overcame last season, he believes that coupled with the surrounding and support of the Rochester community, will be the keys to success this upcoming season.
Rochester’s run to the Fraser Cup Semifinals was no fluke and the Grizzlies are a true darkhorse in the NA3HL heading into 2026-27.
Another Central Division Championship and deep run in the 2027 Fraser Cup Tournament is definitely a possibility for this team.
St. Louis Jr. Blues
Head Coach: Matt Ocello (Entering 4th season)
2025-26 season record: 23-21-2-1 (4th in Central Division)
2025-26 leading scorer: Joseph LoPiccolo (10G 36A – 46 points)
2026 Playoffs: Eliminated in Division Semifinals by the West Bend Power
2026-27 Division: Central Division
Location: Affton, Missouri
Arena: Affton Ice Rink
The Junior Blues were able to make the postseason last year before bowing out against the West Bend Power. Veteran leadership will look to take the organization to the next level in the 2026-27 NA3HL season.
Look for the Junior Blues to make improve on last season’s playoff team and potentially take the next step in the Central Division.
Wausau Cyclones
Head Coach: Luke Meyer (Entering 1st season)
2025-26 season record: 27-19-1-0 (3rd in Central Division)
2025-26 leading scorer: Jackson Schroeder (28G 36A – 64 points)
2026 Playoffs: Eliminated in the Division Semifinals by the Rochester Grizzlies
2026-27 Division: Central Division
Location: Wausau, Wisconsin
Arena: Marathon County Ice Arena
Wausau had a good season last year prior to falling to the Rochester Grizzlies in the Central Division Semifinals.
Coach Luke Meyer will look to take the next step forward for his Waysau Cyclones in his first season behind the bench, after serving as an assistant coach last season.
The Cyclones are a contender to make the Central Division Finals and challenge the West Bend Power this upcoming NA3HL season.
West Bend Power
Head Coach: Jason Woods (Entering 4th season)
2025-26 season record: 41-3-2-1 (1st in Central Division)
2025-26 leading scorer: Jace Fitzgerald (31G 30A – 61 points)
2026 Playoffs: Eliminated in the Division Finals by the Rochester Grizzlies
2026-27 Division: Central Division
Location: West Bend, Wisconsin
Arena: Kettle Moraine Ice Center
In the short history of the team since they moved from Milwaukee, the Power have become a national power (no pun intended) in the NA3HL.
West Bend already has one Fraser Cup Final appearance to their name since joining. Another is likely to happen at some point given the trajectory of this organization.
Look for West Bend to attend to “unfinished business” with the numerous college recruits on their roster this upcoming season.
Wisconsin Woodsmen
Head Coach: Jon Vaillancourt (Entering 4th season)
2025-26 season record: 19-24-2-2 (5th in Central Division)
2025-26 leading scorer: Ty Paulios (21G 25A – 46 points)
2026-27 Division: Central Division
Location: Tomah, Wisconsin
Arena: Tomah Ice Center
The Tomah, Wisconsin based missed the postseason in 2025-26. An emphasis on player development and physical play will be the calling cards early on for Coach John Vaillancourt’s squad.
The Woodsmen will have a forest of opposition to cut through to be able to cobble together enough wins to make the playoffs this year.
Wisconsin will compete for a postseason berth this season. Whether they capitalize on their competition in the Central Division is a completely different topic.
FRONTIER DIVISION
Badlands Sabres
Head Coach: Brooks Mitzel (Entering 4th season)
2025-26 Season Record: 23-19-3-2 (4th in Frontier Division)
2025-26 Leading Scorer: Dayton Niedert (30G 18A – 48 points)
2026 Playoffs: Eliminated in the Division Semifinals by the Sheridan Hawks
2026-27 Division: Frontier Division
Location: Rapid City, South Dakota
Arena: Roosevelt Park Ice Arena
The Sabres were able to cobble together enough wins to make the Frontier Division playoffs last season. Making back will be a challenge in one of the most balanced divisions in all of NA3HL.
Coach Brooks Mitzel believes the high competitive nature of a division he called a “dog fight” will benefit Badlands this season.
In a close match up like what’s seen in this roughrider of a division, they’ll need a bit of good fortune to go their way. In the end? That might be just what brings them home.
Bozeman IceDogs
Head Coach: Mike Perkins (Entering 6th season)
2025-26 Season Record: 21-24-1-1 (5th in Frontier Division)
2025-26 Leading Scorer: Lex Steckelberg (32G 25A – 57 points)
2026-27 Division: Frontier Division
Location: Bozeman, Montana
Arena: Bottcher Arena
The IceDogs just missed out on making the playoffs in the rough Frontier Division last season.
With a new and improved arena, coupled with a coaching staff aha players who want to be in Bozeman, look for the IceDogs to seriously challenge for a playoff spot this upcoming season.
Butte Irish
Head Coach: Marc Brodeur (Entering 4th season)
2025-26 Season Record: 11-36-0-0 (8th in Frontier Division)
2025-26 Leading Scorer: Jack Whitelaw (13G 24A – 37 points)
2026-27 Division: Frontier Division
Location: Butte, Montana
Arena: Butte Community Ice Center
After finishing dead last in the Frontier and winning only 11 games last season, it will take a lot more than the luck of the Irish for Butte to improve this season.
What they will need is to come out each and every night with fire in their eyes and an all gas and no breaks play in their skates.
After some successful off-season recruiting, its not unreasonable to think Butte will win more games. Just how many though?
A little bit of luck might be needed to make the playoffs in this tough division, but Butte should be better in the standings this season.
Gillette Wild
Head Coach: Wilson Anderle (Entering 2nd season)
2025-26 season record: 21-24-2-0 (6th in Frontier Division)
2025-26 leading scorer: Beau Delich (12G 29A – 41 points)
2026-27 Division: Frontier Division
Location: Gillette, Wyoming
Arena: Spirit Hall Ice Arena
Gillette was a tough out despite what their record from last year shows. They finished sixth in an eight team division yet were only a few games below .500 on the year.
With an aggressive and intense system in place for this year, the Wild loom to clinch a playoff spot with an “in your face, upfront” style of play. Book them a spot this year.
Great Falls Americans
Head Coach: Greg Sears (Entering 9th season)
2025-26 season record: 30-14-2-1 (3rd in Frontier Division)
2025-26 leading scorer: Cooper Clouse (23G 65A – 88 points)
2026 Playoffs: Eliminated in the Division Semi Finals by the Helena Bighorns
2026-27 Division: Frontier Division
Location: Great Falls, Montana
Arena: Great Falls Ice Plex
Great Falls will look to build upon their 30 won season that got them a solid third place finish in the Frontier Division. The Americans have the recipe to make it happen.
If the new batch of Americans can jell with the returning core, there’s no reason to believe Great Falls can’t make a run at the Fraser Cup.
Helena Bighorns
Head Coach: Damon Hanson (Entering 6th season)
2025-26 Season Record: 34-12-1-0 (2nd in Frontier Division)
2025-26 Leading Scorer: Austin Uecker (30G 28A – 58 points)
2026 Playoffs: Eliminated in Fraser Cup Championship Pool Play by the Louisiana Drillers
2026-27 Division: Frontier Division
Location: Helena, Montana
Arena: Steed Arena
Arguably the pride and joy of the NA3HL’s Frontier Division, the Helena Bighorns are no stranger to success, winning the Fraser Cup in 2024, and winning the Tier-III National Championship back in 2011. The Bighorns are a factory.
The team that once played in the old Nor Pac Hockey League will look to get back on the ice and prove that hunger for success is still there heading into season.
Helena is a favorite to repeat in the Frontier Division and get back to the Fraser Cup Tournament for the 2026-27 NA3HL season in March.
Head Coach: Todd McIlrath (Entering 1st season)
2025-26 season record: 34-10-2-1 (1st in Frontier Division)
2025-26 leading scorer: Vincent Leaf (30G 45A – 75 points)
2026 Playoffs: Eliminated in Division Finals by the Helena Bighorns
2026-27 Division: Frontier Division
Location: Sheridan, Wyoming
Arena: Whitney Rink in the M&M’s Center
Sheridan won the regular season crown in the Frontier Division, but came up short against the Helena Bighorns in the Division Finals.
With a new coach behind the bench, Sheridan’s chances of making the playoffs are good with the returning core that they have.
But in the end? It’s all about winning the Frontier when it matters most, in the playoffs.
Beating Helena and getting to the Fraser Cup will be a challenge, but the Hawks have set a precedent and are out to prove that last year’s success was no fluke this season.
Yellowstone Quake
Head Coach: Gaetano Moirano (Entering 2nd season)
2025-26 season record: 11-33-3-0 (7th in Frontier Division)
2025-26 leading scorer: Shayne Smith (29G 19A – 48 points)
2026-27 Division: Frontier Division
Location: Cody, Wyoming
The Quake will look to make a seismic improvement on last year’s 11 win team. The Cody, Wyoming based squad will look to rely on their veteran core in Coach Moirano’s second season.
Yellowstone will look to play fast, smart, and physical, as they aim to climb the pecking order in the rough and tough Frontier Division.
Yellowstone should improve and win more games, but in a division that might be the most competitive in the NA3HL top to bottom, the Quake might not make an impact, at least not in the 2026-27 season.
ROAD TO THE 2027 FRAZZY
The road to the Fraser Cup (in tribute to the Robertson Cup being referred to as the “Bobby”, we will be giving the Fraser Cup the term “Frazzy”, pronounced FRAH-ZEE) begins September 4th, 2026.
The Fraser Cup Playoffs will start with the top four teams in each division facing off in a best-of-three format for the Division Semifinals and Division Finals.
The hosting format is a 1-1-1 format with the higher seed hosting games 1 and 3 (if necessary). The hosting format can be changed should both sides come to such an agreement.
The 2027 Fraser Cup Tournament format will be the same as it was in 2026. The six division champions will be placed into two pools of three teams.
Pool play will have the three teams face off against each other, resulting in two pool play games each. The top two teams in each group will advance to the Frasier Cup Semifinals. The Semifinals and Finals are a single playoff game.
Good luck to all the teams involved in the 2026-27 NA3HL season.
For all the latest news and highlights regarding the NA3HL, go to na3hl.com for more.
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