By Delorean Fleetwood
Dallas, TX: The North American Hockey League enters its 52nd season as the only USA Hockey–sanctioned, tuition-free Tier II junior league.
Thirty-six teams in five divisions will play 59 games from September 11, 2026, to April 17, 2027. The league showcase is September 23–26 in Blaine, Minnesota.
The map changed significantly, as four NCDC clubs, along with a relocated Chippewa Steel, to form a new Mountain Division for the upcoming 2026-27 season.
Teams like Idaho Falls and Grand Junction will provide an excellent opportunity for these teams, fanbases, and communities to show the rest of the NAHL what Mountain Division hockey is all about on the Frontier.
The North Iowa Bulls relocated to Richmond, Texas to become the Houston Bulls. The Minnesota Mallards move from the Central Division to the Midwest Division The Maine Nordiques folded and the Rochester Jr. Americans will be dormant for the 2026-27 season.
The Central is a six-team division. The Midwest and East Division are an eight team circuit. The South is now a nine team gauntlet, while the Mountain Division will start at five.
It is currently unknown if the divisional playoff format will change going into this season’s Robertson Cup Playoffs. No announcements have been made.
The Mountain Division Playoffs being a four team bracket is probable. It is also assumed the Central, East and South Division’s format will remain the same as it was the previous year, with the East and South having a play in round and Central with four teams.
The Maryland Black Bears won their first Robertson Cup, 3–2 in overtime over the Minnesota Wilderness at Fogerty Arena in May. Harrison Smith was the NAHL regular-season MVP, Forward of the Year, and Playoff MVP (24-72-96 in 49 games). Brady Anes scored the Robertson Cup winner in overtime.
The 2027 Robertson Cup will be played once again at Fogerty Arena in Blaine, Minnesota, from May 21–25, 2027. The 2027 Robertson Cup Playoff format will be announced at a later date.
2026 had a 3v6 and 4v5, best of three First Round for the East and South Division, while the Central and Midwest Division had a regular best of five division semifinals and finals with the four division champions meeting in Blaine.
The 2026 Robertson Cup Format featured a best of three Semifinals series and a single game Final.
The 2027 Robertson Cup Playoffs and Tournament format will be announced at a later date.
EAST DIVISION
Danbury Hat Tricks
Head Coach: Adam Dauda (1st season)
2025-26 Regular Season Record: 27-24-5-3 – 62 points (6th in East Division)
2025-26 Leading Scorer: Kai Elkie (19-40–59)
2026-27 Division: East Division
Location: Danbury, Connecticut
Arena: Danbury Ice Arena
Formation Year: 2020 (7th season)
The Hat Tricks will look to improve upon last season’s playoff participant campaign. With a smaller East Division this season, those odds are looking pretty good.
They are led by a former Division I player himself, in Coach Adam Dauda. Dauda knows the challenges and opportunities that arise in his current position.
If Danbury does miss the postseason, don’t expect them to be be down for long. The Hat Tricks have been a somewhat consistent squad in the East Division since joining the NAHL six years ago.
Elmira Aviators
Head Coach: Leeor Shtrom (2nd season)
2025-26 Regular Season Record: 22-28-5-4 – 53 points (9th in East Division)
2025-26 Leading Scorer: Evan Dantas (25-30–55)
2026-27 Division: East Division
Location: Elmira, New York
Arena: Lecom Event Center
Formation Year: 2024 (3rd season)
With only eight teams in the East this season, the Aviators mathematically have a better chance of making the playoffs.
With a full season behind Coach Shtrom’s system, Elmira should be able to post an above .500 mark this upcoming season.
Look for the Aviators to improve by about 5-8 wins this season and grab a lower seed in the East Division.
Johnstown Tomahawks
Head Coach: Geoff Beauparlant (1st season)
2025-26 Regular Season Record:
24-26-5-4 – 57 points (7th in East Division)
2025-26 Leading Scorer: Nick Jarmain (37-26–63)
2026-27 Division: East Division
Location: Johnstown, Pennsylvania
Arena: Cambria County War Memorial Arena
Formation Year: 2012 (15th season)
Regular Season Title: One (2019)
East Division Titles: Two (2019, 2021)
The Tomahawks will look to make the playoffs in their 15th NAHL season. It’s all about buying into the community and being a part of Johnstown, Pennsylvania.
After just missing out last season, Johnstown making the postseason wouldn’t surprise anyone. With a lessened East Division, look for the Tomahawks to fight their way for a lower seed in a now eight team division, where six teams get in.
Maryland Black Bears
Head Coach: Clint Mylymok (9th season)
2025-26 Regular Season Record: 49-6-3-1– 102 points (1st in East Division)
2025-26 Leading Scorer: Harrison Smith (24-72–96)
2026 Postseason: Won Robertson Cup Championship
2026-27 Division: East Division
Location: Odenton, Maryland
Arena: Piney Orchard Ice Arena
Formation Year: 2018 (9th season)
Regular Season Title: One (2026)
East Division Titles: Three (2023, 2024, 2026)
Robertson Cup Championship: One (2026)
After winning their first regular season championship and their first Robertson Cup, what will the Black Bears do for an encore? They’ve won the East Division in three of the past four seasons for starters.
They have proven it’s their division until they (or someone else) says it’s not. With the balance of skill and heaviness to their game, Maryland will still be the beast of the East going into the season.
New Hampshire Mountain Kings
Head Coach: Cam Robichaud (4th season)
2025-26 Regular Season Record: 23-27-4-5 – 55 points (8th in East Division)
2025-26 Leading Scorer: Ronnie Hill (15-20–35)
2026-27 Division: East Division
Location: Hooksett, New Hampshire
Arena: Tri-Town Ice Arena
Formation Year: 2023 (4th season)
New Hampshire is a very competitive group, when healthy. The Mountain Kings saw a jaw dropping 21 injuries, and that was before Christmas. Hard to win games with THAT many injuries.
With a healthy start, the Mountain Kings will look to push for a postseason berth in their fourth NAHL season. The foundation in the Granite State is beginning to bear fruit. With six spots up for grabs in an eight team East, New Hampshire should challenge for a postseason berth this year.
New Jersey Titans
Head Coach: George Haviland (3rd season)
2025-26 Regular Season Record: 32-22-2-3 – 69 points (3rd in East Division)
2025-26 Leading Scorer: Skogen Schrott (32-32–64)
2026 Postseason: Lost East Division Play-In Series to the Danbury Hat Tricks (2-0)
2026-27 Division: East Division
Location: Middletown, New Jersey
Arena: Middletown Ice Arena
Formation Year: 2015 (12th season)
East Division Title: One (2022)
Robertson Cup Championship: One (2022)
The Titans look to continue to develop their ever growing talent that comes and goes and puts their older players on NCAA rosters.
The 2022 Champs will look to build off last season’s success and make a run at the East Division crown, after a disappointing setback to the Danbury Hat Tricks last season.
The Titans should make the postseason once again. A playoff series win and trip to the East Division Finals is definitely a possibility for Jersey this season.
Northeast Generals
Head Coach: Bryan Erikson (9th season)
2025-26 Regular Season Record: 31-22-5-1 – 68 points (4th in East Division)
2025-26 Leading Scorer: Kody Moyer (21-35–56)
2026 Postseason: Lost East Division Semifinal Series to the Rochester Jr. Americans (3-2)
2026-27 Division: East Division
Location: Canton, Massachusetts
Arena: Canton Ice House
Formation Year: 2016 (11th season)
With a strong veteran group coming back, the Generals will look to march deep into the postseason.
With the Rochester Jr. Americans on hiatus this season, Northeast has a solid chance to contend against Maryland to win the East Division.
A postseason berth plus the lack of one heavy in the East gives them a solid chance of at least making the Division Finals this season.
Philadelphia Rebels
Head Coach: Justin Hale (5th season)
2025-26 Regular Season Record: 21-29-3-6 – 51 points (10th in East Division)
2025-26 Leading Scorer: Jordan Brothers (18-21–39)
2026-27 Division: East Division
Location: Sewell, New Jersey
Arena: Hollydell Ice Arena
Formation Year: 2022 (5th season)
There’s nowhere to go but up for the Rebels as Philadelphia finished dead last in a then, 10 team division. They can’t finish any worse than eight this season.
With Maine folding and Rochester sitting out a season, this might be the best chance the Philadelphia Rebels get at a playoff spot for a bit.
The question is, how hungry are the group from Sewell? Its more likely they’ll have to keep waiting for their chance at the postseason.
CENTRAL DIVISION
Aberdeen Wings
Head Coach: Scott Langer (10th season)
2025-26 Regular Season Record: 37-16-4-2 – 80 points (3rd in the Central Division)
2025-26 Leading Scorer: Matthew Martin (26-40–66)
2026 Postseason: Lost Central Division Final Series to the Austin Bruins (3-2)
2026-27 Division: Central Division
Location: Aberdeen, South Dakota
Arena: Odde Ice Center
Formation Year: 2010 (17th season)
Regular Season Title: One (2021)
Central Division Titles: Four (2018, 2019, 2020, 2021)
Robertson Cup Championship: One (2019)
The Aberdeen Wings began their 17th season with their Head Coach who’s been there for more than half that time. The Wings have carved out an excellent pedigree in that time frame, winning one Robertson Cup in 2019.
Scott Langer enters his 10th season behind the bench in Aberdeen, after pushing the eventual Division champions to a five game Division Finals last season. The winningest coach in the NAHL fell one game short of going back to the Bobby.
Langer has built a program in Northeast South Dakota and he will continue to push his club, while attracting talent for player development that will go on and play at the next level. Expect Aberdeen to seriously challenge for the Central Division this season.
Austin Bruins
Head Coach: Steve Howard (10th season)
2025-26 Regular Season Record: 43-12-2-2 – 90 points (1st in the Central Division)
2025-26 Leading Scorer: Siamion Marshchanok (30-57–87)
2026 Postseason: Lost Robertson Cup Semifinal Series to the Minnesota Wilderness (2-0)
2026-27 Division: Central Division
Location: Austin, Minnesota
Arena: Riverside Arena
Formation Year: 2010 (17th season)
Central Division Titles: Five (2013, 2014, 2015, 2023, 2026)
The defending Central Division champs look to make another run to hopefully capture their first Robertson Cup, after getting to the Bobby last season. Coach Steve Howard enters his 10th season, looking to give the Bruins one more push to get over the top.
With proven veterans coming back, Austin will look to prove that last season’s run to the Bobby was no fluke. The Bruins will have their work cut out for them in a tough Central Division. Expect Austin, Aberdeen and Bismarck to lead the Central Division in 2026-27.
Bismarck Bobcats
Head Coach: Garrett Roth (3rd season)
2025-26 Regular Season Record: 39-15-3-2– 83 points (2nd in the Central Division)
2025-26 Leading Scorer: Charlie Krsel (18-48–66)
2026 Postseason: Lost in the Central Division Semifinals to the Aberdeen Wings (3-2)
2026-27 Division: Central Division
Location: Bismarck, North Dakota
Arena: VFW Sports Arena
Formation Year: 2003 (24th season)
Regular Season Title: One (2025)
Central Division Titles: Five (2009, 2010, 2012, 2016, 2025)
Robertson Cup Championship: Two (2010, 2025)
One of the best teams in the entire NAHL is celebrating their 30th season in 2026-27. The team that began their team history in 97-98 in the American Frontier (later America West) Hockey League, has been a consistent force and could arguably be considered Bismarck’s team, true and through. They won the final Borne Cup championship in 2003, before joining the NAHL.
The two-time Robertson Cup champs had another great season in 2025-26, before falling to a solid Aberdeen Wings squad in a five game first round series. Garrett Roth enters his third season looking to not only make an impact on the ice but touch the hearts of his crew off it as well. The Bobcats are always a force to be reckoned with.
Look for Bismarck to make another potentially deep run to the Bobby this upcoming season, as Bismarck, North Dakota’s team will look to make their 30th anniversary season a memorable one. It won’t be easy, as the Central Division will be a slog all the way through May.
Minot Minotauros
General Manager/Head Coach Cody Campbell (6th season)
2025-26 Regular Season Record: 23-31-3-2 – 51 points (7th in the Central Division)
2025-26 Leading Scorer: Ty James (12-27–39)
2026-27 Division: Central Division
Location: Minot, North Dakota
Arena: Maysa Arena
Formation Year: 2011 (16th season)
Central Division Titles: Two (2017, 2024)
Minot had a uncharacteristically bad season in 2025-26, finishing with one of the worst seasons in franchise history. The Minotauros will bounce back and challenge for a playoff spot.
With only four spots available in a tough, six team Central Division, getting through the thicket will require overcoming some adversity, especially when rival Bismarck won the Robertson Cup just recently, in 2025.
St. Cloud Norsemen
Head Coach: Joe Exter (3rd season)
2025-26 Regular Season Record: 23-30-6-0 – 52 points (6th in the Central Division)
2025-26 Leading Scorer: Sam Crane (19-21–40)
2026-27 Division: Central Division
Location: St. Cloud, Minnesota
Arena: St. Cloud Municipal Athletic Complex
Formation Year: 2020 (7th season)
Central Division Title: One (2022)
St. Cloud is an interesting squad to figure out this upcoming season. They finished sixth, yet despite the seeming lack of bonafide squads in the Central, it’s hard to figure out where St. Cloud factors in here.
Aberdeen and Austin will be major factors, Minnesota might not be, but Minot might just be the team to keep the Norsemen out come playoff time. Bismarck will be a factor as they usually are.
Watertown Shamrocks
Head Coach: Casey Kirley (3rd season)
2025-26 Regular Season Record: 31-23-3-2 – 67 points (4th in the Central Division)
2025-26 Leading Scorer: Zach Boren (29-28–57)
2026 Postseason: Lost Central Division Semifinals Series to the Austin Bruins (3-0)
2026-27 Division: Central Division
Location: Watertown, South Dakota
Arena: Prairie Lakes Ice Arena
Formation Year: 2024 (3rd season)
The Shamrocks surprised everyone when they made the postseason in 2025-26. Watertown will be out to prove that last year was no fluke.
With the Minot Minotauros looming behind them, the Shamrocks will need more than just the luck of the Irish to repeat their performance last season.
Watertown won’t finish in the top three in the Central, but a last place finish won’t happen either. Expect the Shamrocks to take a small step back this upcoming season.
MIDWEST DIVISION
Anchorage Wolverines
Head Coach: Mike Aikens (3rd season)
2025-26 Regular Season Record: 32-21-3-3 – 70 points (4th in the Midwest Division)
2025-26 Leading Scorer: Luc Bydal (42-39–81)
2026 Postseason: Lost Midwest Division Semifinal Series to the Minnesota Wilderness (3-1)
2026-27 Division: Midwest Division
Location: Anchorage, Alaska
Arena: Sullivan Arena
Formation Year: 2021 (6th season)
Midwest Division Title: One (2024)
Playing in their sixth season, the Wolverines have missed the postseason just once, a testament to this organization’s pedigree in just a short amount of time.
Anchorage is here to stay. The Wolverines have already made two trips to the Bobby, making the Finals in their inaugural season.
Now in his third season, Mike Aikens is going to use the teams physicality, speed, and adversity to propel his Wolverines back to the Bobby in 2026-27.
Expect Anchorage to be a tough out in the Midwest Division. The odds we see a team from Alaska representing the Midwest Division at the Bobby are really good.
Fairbanks Ice Dogs
Head Coach: Dakota Bell (2nd season)
2025-26 Regular Season Record: 35-21-2-1 – 73 points (2nd in the Midwest Division)
2025-26 Leading Scorer: Oliver Barna (32-37–69)
2026 Postseason: Lost Midwest Division Semifinals Series to the Wisconsin Windigo (3-2)
2026-27 Division: Midwest Division
Location: Fairbanks, Alaska
Arena: Big Dipper Ice Arena
Formation Year: 2003 (24th season)
Regular Season Titles: Three (2014, 2016, 2018)
Division Titles: Nine (2009, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2022)
Robertson Cup Championships: Three (2011, 2014, 2016)
Coach Dakota Bell’s Ice Dogs had one of the youngest rosters in the league last season. They came within one game of reaching the Midwest Division Finals. The Ice Dogs should be much better and that’s bad news for the rest of the Midwest Division this season.
Fairbanks’ pedigree speaks for itself. Three Robertson Cup Championships, Four Finals appearances, and six trips to the Bobby Tourney. Fairbanks making a 7th Robertson Cup Tournament appearance would surprise no one, given the added experience this talented group will have under their belt already.
Big Dipper Ice Arena will be rocking this upcoming winter. Alaska might have the best fans.
Make no mistake, this division will be an absolute dogfight this season, but Fairbanks might be the best equipped to handle these fights.
Janesville Jets
Head Coach: Lennie Childs (3rd season)
2025-26 Regular Season Record: 28-30-0-1 – 57 points (6th in Midwest Division)
2025-26 Leading Scorer: Joseph Hyten (31-41–72)
2026-27 Division: Midwest Division
Location: Janesville, Wisconsin
Arena: Woodman’s Sports and Convention Center
Formation Year: 2009 (18th season)
Regular Season Title: One (2015)
Division Titles: Three (2015, 2017, 2021)
A former Janesville Jet himself, Coach Lennie Childs now steps into the role of leading a new order of Jets for development to take off in the NCAA and beyond.
Janesville should factor in for a potential playoff spot. Given the Jets pedigree, that may take some time. 2027-28 seems like a more realistic season for the playoffs.
Coach Childs has Janesville on the right track and it won’t be long before Jets playoff games are back in Southern Wisconsin in March.
Kenai River Brown Bears
Head Coach: Darren Banks (2nd season)
2025-26 Regular Season Record: 21-37-1-0 – 43 points (7th in Midwest Division)
2025-26 Leading Scorer: Braden Hansberger (12-25–37)
2026-27 Division: Midwest Division
Location: Soldotna, Alaska
Arena: Soldotna Regional Sports Complex
Formation Year: 2007 (20th season)
The Brown Bears have a very unique challenge as a team: they play on an Olympic sized rink. A mistake made is bigger than usual, but that double-edged sword has it’s rewards as well.
The Soldotna, Alaska based club will look to use that advantage to climb into the ranks of the Midwest Division, as the Kenai River Brown Bears celebrate their 20th season.
Kenai River likely won’t make the postseason, but a 5-10 game improvement is doable for the third fiddle in the Alaska team trio.
Minnesota Mallards
Head Coach: Ryan Leonard
2025-26 Regular Season Record: 11-42-4-2– 28 points (8th in Central Division)
2025-26 Leading Scorer: Bryce Wiitala (21-23–44)
2026-27 Division: Midwest Division
Location: Forest Lake, Minnesota
Arena: Forest Lake Sports Center
Formation Year: 2024 (3rd season)
With two awful seasons behind them, the Mallards should be able to make a bigger splash in an easier division. But that improvement is not liken to show, at least not this upcoming season for them.
The Twin Cities based squad will need some good chemistry (and maybe some Gordon Bombay magic) to fly into the Robertson Cup Playoffs in year three.
The Mallards should be better on the ice. The real question heading into the season is will they? The rumors that this club could fold after this season also don’t help.
Minnesota Wilderness
Head Coach: Sam Graham (1st season)
2025-26 Regular Season Record: 42-12-3-2 – 89 points (1st in Midwest Division)
2025-26 Leading Scorer: Noah Dziver (30-45–75)
2026 Postseason: Lost Robertson Cup Championship Game to the Maryland Black Bears
2026-27 Division: Midwest Division
Location: Cloquet, Minnesota
Arena: Northwoods Credit Union Arena
Formation Year: 2013 (14th season)
Midwest Division Title: One (2026)
Robertson Cup Championship: One (2015)
The Cloquet, Minnesota based team was an OT winner from claiming their second Robertson Cup, but fell to the Maryland Black Bears. This year, Minnesota will run it back to finish the job this upcoming season.
They’ll be doing it with a veteran coach in his first season behind the Wilderness bench. Don’t underestimate the defending Finalists, they’re just as deep as anyone in the NAHL this season.
The Minnesota Wilderness are a top favorite to win the Midwest Division this upcoming season.
Springfield Jr. Blues
Head Coach: Todd Pococke (4th season)
2025-26 Regular Season Record: 30-22-4-3 – 67 points (5th in Midwest Division)
2025-26 Leading Scorer: Zach Howard (23-26–49)
2026-27 Division: Midwest Division
Location: Springfield, Illinois
Arena: Nelson Center
Formation Year: 1993 (33rd season)
Regular Season Titles: Three (1996, 1997, 1998)
Robertson Cup Championships: Two (1996, 1997)
The Jr. Blues are coached by a former Springfield Jr. Blue who played on one of those Robertson Cup winning teams back in the 90’s.
Now in his fourth season, Coach Todd Pococke will look to run the team’s table and win one as their Head Coach. It certainly won’t be easy, with three Alaska teams and the defending Finalist to go through on their way to the Bobby.
Its a safe bet to assume they’ll improve and grab a playoff spot this year, but winning games in the NAHL is tough for everyone involved, regardless of who it is.
Keep in mind they had a solid 30 win season and still finished fifth, missing the postseason in 2025-26.
Wisconsin Windigo
Head Coach: Andrew Howard (1st season)
2025-26 Regular Season Record: 34-21-1-3 – 72 points (3rd in Midwest Division)
2025-26 Leading Scorer: Alexios Georgaklis (17-30–47)
2026 Postseason: Lost Midwest Division Final Series to the Minnesota Wilderness (3-2)
2026-27 Division: Midwest Division
Location: Brookfield, Wisconsin
Arena: The Ponds at Brookfield
Formation Year: 2022 (5th season)
Midwest Division Titles: Two (2023, 2025)
The Windigo have made winds of change since they relocated from the Southern Twin Cities (As the Minnesota Magicians) to the greater Milwaukee area.
The Windigo pushed the eventual Robertson Cup Finalist, falling just a game short of making the Bobby.
The previous year, they fell just one game short of reaching the Robertson Cup Finals, so the Windigo have been close for the last two seasons. Finishing the job is definitely a possibility for them.
Even with a new Head Coach behind the bench, don’t underestimate Wisconsin, as they have shown the past two years they are one of the top six teams in the entire NAHL going into 2026-27.
SOUTH DIVISION
Amarillo Wranglers
Head Coach: Austin Sutter (1st season)
2025-26 Regular Season Record: 20-35-3-3 – 44 points (8th in the South Division)
2025-26 Leading Scorer: Daniel Rassega (18-38–56)
2026-27 Division: South Division
Location: Amarillo, Texas
Arena: Amarillo Civic Center
Formation Year: 2021 (6th season)
First year coach Austin Sutter will have his work cut out for him, as the Wranglers will try to climb out of the South Division basement this season. Easier said than done.
He will look to bring the “Wranglers Way” back to Amarillo, in an attempt to bring home the Robertson Cup to the North Texas Panhandle in the future.
But it won’t be easy with the likes of the new Houston Bulls looking to pass them, along with Odessa and Oklahoma. Expect some growing pains ,as Amarillo is likely to finish dead last once again, in 2026-27.
Corpus Christi IceRays
Head Coach: Nick Skerlick (1st season)
2025-26 Regular Season Record: 30-23-5-1 – 66 points (4th in South Division)
2025-26 Leading Scorer: Andrej Paricka (17-26–43)
2026 Postseason: Lost South Division Play-In Series to the Shreveport Mudbugs (2-0)
2026-27 Division: South Division
Location: Corpus Christi, Texas
Arena: Hilliard Center
Formation Year: 2010 (17th season)
New coach Nick Skerlick will look to improve upon his first season behind the IceRays bench, a season that carries Corpus Christi into the playoffs as the four seed in the South Division.
The key to taking the next step in a deep and rugged South Division is getting everyone to buy in to IceRays hockey. Corpus Christi will have some ways to go before they can compete with the likes of Lone Star, New Mexico, El Paso, and Shreveport. But this is a team that can certainly make the postseason.
A play in series win would be considered a success for the Corpus Christi IceRays in 2026-27.
El Paso Rhinos
Head Coach: Mike Rivera (3rd season)
2025-26 Regular Season Record: 33-19-2-5 – 73 points (3rd in South Division)
2025-26 Leading Scorer: Troy Hunka (28-57–85)
2026 Postseason: Lost South Division Final Series to the Lone Star Brahmas (3-0)
2026-27 Division: South Division
Location: El Paso, Texas
Arena: El Paso County Coliseum
Formation Year: 2021 (6th season)
Could the Rhinos disrupt their way into the South Division forecast as the fourth contender? They certainly proved they were heading in the right direction last season.
The El Paso Rhinos are no stranger to success, winning the Western States Hockey League’s Thorne Cup four times (2008, 2014, 2018, 2019) and won the 2014 United Hockey Union National Championship Tournament, so the organization knows what it takes to win games during the postseason.
With veterans coming back to lead the culture, the Rhinos place in the top four in the South Division looks to be settled. The Rhinos can definitely disrupt the other three contenders if that veteran leadership finds a way to win.
Houston Bulls
Head Coach: Nathan Oystrick (1st season)
2026-27 Division: South Division
Location: Richmond, Texas
Arena: Deep South Ice Center
Formation Year: 2026 (1st season)
The former North Iowa Bulls have relocated to Richmond, Texas for the 2026-27 NAHL season, giving the Houston Metro Area a hockey team to cheer for, something they haven’t had since the AHL Houston Aeros relocated to Iowa in 2013.
Coach Oystrick knows what it takes to bring a winning culture on and off the ice, something that he’s all too familiar with in every step along his journey as a player and coach. The Bulls are in good hands.
Houston should cobble together enough wins to make the playoffs in their first season, expediting the Houston Hockey Heads calls to bring the NHL to Houston.
The Bulls will be winners off the ice, as their community outreach has already made them Robertson Cup Champions in the eyes of their fans.
The Houston Bulls have been welcomed openly by their community and that will bodes well for them going forward. The team is going to be a massive hit in town.
Expect the Bulls to be a stop gap for the fans in Houston until the NHL arrives in a few years. The Bulls have all the necessary ingredients to reignite the passion that Houston hockey hopefuls have. The team also has what they need to succeed and make the playoffs this season.
Lone Star Brahmas
Head Coach: Dan Wildfong (14th season)
2025-26 Regular Season Record: 42-12-1-4 – 89 points (1st in the South Division)
2025-26 Leading Scorer: Leo Isaksson (18-38–56)
2026 Postseason: Lost Robertson Cup Semifinals Series to the Maryland Black Bears (2-0)
2026-27 Division: South Division
Location: North Richland Hills, Texas
Arena: NYTEX Sports Center
Formation Year: 1999 (As Texas Tornado, 27th season overall)
Regular Season Titles: Five (2000, 2004, 2005, 2022, 2024)
West Division Titles: Four (2000, 2001, 2002, 2003)
South Division Titles: 10 (2004, 2005, 2006, 2015, 2017, 2020, 2022, 2024, 2025, 2026)
Robertson Cup Championships: Seven (2001, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2012, 2017, 2024)
Lone Star is arguably the cream of the crop in the South, if not the entire NAHL, going back to their days as the Texas Tornado, from 1999-2013. The Brahmas have accomplished everything that an NAHL team can in their 26 seasons.
The Brahmas lost to the eventual Cup Champions last season in the Robertson Cup Semifinals, but anyone who knows the NAHL knows Lone Star is an absolute machine in this league and they will prove that once again in 2027.
Lone Star is a top 5-6 team in this league year in and year out, with 13 trips to the Bobby on their resume, including the past three seasons.
So don’t expect the Lone Star Brahmas to drop off. An off year for them is a team that doesn’t make the Bobby, and they have done that in HALF of their franchise existence going back to 1999.
The Lone Star Brahmas are unreal and they have earned that respect with the pedigree that they’ve earned over the last 26 seasons.
New Mexico Ice Wolves
Head Coach: Kyle McKenzie (2nd season)
2025-26 Regular Season Record: 35-19-4-1 – 75 points (2nd in South Division)
2025-26 Leading Scorer: Andy Earl (30-37–67)
2026 Postseason: Lost South Division Semifinals Series to the El Paso Rhinos, 3-0
2026-27 Division: South Division
Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Arena: Outpost Ice Arena
Formation Year: 2019 (8th season)
The biggest challenger to the perennial Lone Star Brahmas lies in the Land of Enchantment. The New Mexico Ice Wolves have established themselves firmly in the South Division, making Albuquerque, New Mexico a hockey hotbed.
The Ice Wolves will be hungry after being kicked aside by the El Paso Rhinos in the playoffs last season.
With a renewed hunger in Albuquerque, expect the Ice Wolves to make it to the South Division Finals this season. If they advance to the Bobby, look out. New Mexico will be primed to succeed in Blaine.
On a side note, their turquoise jerseys are hands down, the best in the NAHL if not in all of hockey.
Odessa Jackalopes
Head Coach: Brian Sherry (1st season)
2025-26 Regular Season Record: 23-29-4-3 – 53 points (7th in the South Division)
2025-26 Leading Scorer: Caden Ghiossi (31-30–61)
2026-27 Division: South Division
Location: Odessa, Texas
Arena: Ector County Coliseum
Formation Year: 2011 (16th season)
What’s the formula for first year coach Brian Sherry in Odessa? For a team that has just one playoff win (1-9 overall) and zero playoff series wins in three tries in 16 seasons?
Playing hard, heavy, and tough was his answer during the preseason. A 200 foot game that will have fun in the offensive zone. The Jackalopes have a sporting chance of hopping into the playoffs this season.
A former NAHL player himself, he understands the work he has cut out for him. Odessa wasn’t terrible by any stretch (they only missed the playoffs by six points), but in arguably the toughest division in the NAHL, Odessa will need to step it up if they want to keep teams like Houston off their furry cottontails.
Oklahoma Warriors
Head Coach: Eric Ballard (1st season)
2025-26 Regular Season Record: 26-26-2-5 – 59 points (6th in South Division)
2025-26 Leading Scorer: Jakub Galnor (19-32–51)
2026 Postseason: Lost South Division Play-In Series to the El Paso Rhinos (2-1)
2026-27 Division: South Division
Location: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Formation Year: 2022 (5th season)
Arena: Blazers Ice Center
Regular Season Title: One (2023)
South Division Title: One (2023)
Robertson Cup Championship: One (2023)
Coach Eric Ballard preaches about the NAHL being the last true form of player development in Junior Hockey. The Minnesota native has fit in right at home in the Sooner State with his work ethic and development of his Warriors.
Oklahoma won the Robertson Cup and was the best team in their inagural regular season back in 2022-23, so the Warriors know what it takes to succeed here.
Oklahoma is a safe bet for a playoff spot, but the South Division is becoming a gauntlet that if the Warriors take a step back, it’ll likely be the last time it happens under Ballard’s watch. His teams are just too good to be down for very long.
Shreveport Mudbugs
Head Coach: Jason Campbell (9th season)
2025-26 Regular Season Record: 28-22-3-6 – 65 points (5th in the South Division)
2025-26 Leading Scorer: Grayson Gerhard (16-38–54)
2026 Postseason: Lost South Division Semifinal Series to the Lone Star Brahmas (3-0)
2026-27 Division: South Division
Location: Shreveport, Louisiana
Arena: George’s Pond
Formation Year: 2016 (11th season)
South Division Titles: Two (2018, 2021)
Robertson Cup Championships: Two (2018, 2021)
Shreveport is no stranger to winning hockey teams with their Mudbugs. The original professional team that played from 1997-2011 (The WPHL from 1997-2001 and CHL from 2001-2011), won the Ray Miron President’s Cup four times (1999, 2000, 2001, and 2011), so hockey is alive and well in the swampy Bayou State of Louisiana.
The current junior Mudbugs have carried that same success with them as their predecessors did, winning the Robertson Cup twice.
This year’s crop of Mudbugs are all about consistency. Coach Jason Campbell, now in his ninth season, believes in that consistency as the key between another first round exit to Lone Star, and another trip to the Robertson Cup Tournament.
Shreveport, Louisiana is a hockey hotbed and both the professional and junior pedigrees have proven it. Outside Lone Star and New Mexico, only the Mudbugs are serious contenders in the South.
Lone Star, New Mexico, and Shreveport should be the top three teams in the South Division this season. As to who wins it this year, is anyone’s guess. All three teams are deep, talented, and hungry.
Also, don’t count out El Paso. The Rhinos round out the best four teams in the toughest division. No one is surpassing those four teams.
MOUNTAIN DIVISION
Billings Cattle Punchers
Head Coach: Steve Haddon (1st season)
2026-27 Division: Mountain Division
Location: Billings, Montana
Arena: Signal Peak Energy Arena
Formation Year: 2026 (1st season)
Billings, Montana is no stranger to junior hockey, as the WHL Billings Bighorns (1977-82) and Billings Bulls (1993-2017, Five Borne Cup Championships in 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, and 2003) have provided the Big Sky Country with championship level hockey that rivals that of the their longtime rivals, the Helena Bighorns. Billings is ready.
The Cattle Punchers were originally set to join the USPHL NCDC, but chose to join the NAHL this upcoming season instead, giving the new Mountain Division five teams for the inagural Mountain Division season in 2026-27.
Billings will look to make a massive impact in their inagural campaign, but they’ll have to get past the likes of the Idaho Falls Spud Kings and Grand Junction River Hawks.
Billings has all they need to make a playoff appearance in their first NAHL season. The Mountain Division has only five teams, which will mathematically boost their odds to making the postseason. They may even win a playoff series. In the end? They could just surprise everyone come playoff time.
Grand Junction River Hawks
Head Coach: Dustin Timm (1st season)
2026-27 Division: Mountain Division
Location: Grand Junction, Colorado
Arena: River City Sportsplex
Formation Year: 2026 (1st season)
After making it to the USPHL NCDC Dineen Cup Finals last season, Grand Junction will look to take flight in their inaugural NAHL season with plenty of hype surrounding the River Hawks.
This first season is all about culture and establishing an identity. The River Hawks are a playoff lock in the inagural Mountain Division for the 2026-27 NAHL season. Expect Grand Junction to take off in 2027.
Idaho Falls Spud Kings
Head Coach: Anthony Bohn (1st season)
2026-27 Division: Mountain Division
Location: Idaho Falls, Idaho
Arena: Mountain America Center
Formation Year: 2026 (1st season)
Arguably the most intriguing off-season, is that of the 2025 Dineen Cup Champions, the Idaho Falls Spud Kings, coming over to the NAHL, beginning with the 2026-27 season. Way to go Idaho!
The former USPHL NCDC juggernauts come into this season as a heavy favorite to win the inaugural Mountain Division crown. The Spud Kings are an incredibly dangerous team that are accustomed to winning big games.
Doubt the Spud Kings at your own peril, this organization is set up for the long haul, and 4,000 fans at the Mountain America Center will be front and center, giving Idaho Falls the best home ice advantage in the entire NAHL, each and every night.
With a deep and talented roster chock full of prospects, coupled with a front office and coaching staff who know how to win at the junior hockey level, Idaho Falls will win the Mountain Division in 2027.
The Spud Kings are a potent and dangerous group for anyone to face at the Robertson Cup Tournament, so don’t be surprised if they make a deep run at the Bobby in 2026-27.
The best off-season story, could very well turn into the best postseason story in May. Look for the Idaho Falls Spud Kings to make their presence known this season.
It’s good to be the King, as they say.
Ogden Mustangs
Head Coach: Kenny Orlando (1st season)
2026-27 Division: Mountain Division
Location: Ogden, UT
Arena: Weber County Sports Complex
Formation Year: 2026 (1st season)
Lost among the Spud Kings and River Hawks fanfare, is that of the Ogden Mustangs. A member of the old Western States Hockey League, Ogden made the Thorne Cup Finals in 2018 and 2019 (losing both times to the El Paso Rhinos). They even made the USPHL NCDC Dineen Cup Finals in 2024, losing to the South Shore Kings in OT in game three.
Expect Ogden to be a high paced team coming out of the gate for their inagural NAHL season. The Mustangs are a strong playoff lock in the Mountain Division as well. Ogden has the history and pedigree to win at this level, and it shows.
Pueblo Peppers
Head Coach: Chris Wilhite (1st season)
2026-27 Division: Mountain Division
Location: Pueblo, Colorado
Arena: Pueblo Ice Arena
Formation Year: 2026 (1st season)
The Pueblo Bulls played in the USPHL NCDC last season before Pueblo hopped over to the NAHL, albeit in a weird sort of way. The Chippewa Steel relocated to Pueblo, Colorado to become the Peppers, giving Pueblo a hockey team, though a different identity was chosen, owing to the Houston Bulls.
The blueprint for this blue collar team is to simply play 60 minutes and outwork their opponents. Conditioning will be their calling card. On the surface, it’s between Pueblo and Billings as to who will grab the fourth playoff spot in the Mountain Division this season.
On the other hand? We could very well be in for some surprises this upcoming NAHL season, and the Mountain Division is one of them.
The 2026-27 NAHL season is likely to be one to remember. With new teams joining and new markets and fanbases discovering what the buzz is all about in the North American Hockey League, this year’s road to the Bobby will be a memorable one.
For all the latest info regarding the NAHL, go to nahl.com
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