2008-09 Calendar of Events announced

The North American Hockey League announced today its Calendar of Events for the 2008-09 season.
 
“We’re already looking forward to what is shaping up to be an exciting year for the league,” said NAHL commissioner Mark Frankenfeld.  “Once again, all of our events promise to offer maximum exposure for our players as well the participating Midget and Bantam programs and their student-athletes as they pursue their goals, both on and off the ice.”

The campaign will kick off at the sixth annual Sherwood/NAHL Showcase Tournament, which will be held from September 17-20, 2008 at the Schwan Super Rink in Blaine, Minn.  All NAHL teams will participate in the four-day event, including the USA Hockey National Team Development Program.
 
In conjunction with the NAHL Showcase Tournament, the league will also host its first Sherwood Future Prospects Tournament of the season. The event will be held from September 18-21, 2008 at the Super Rink and feature 24 Midget Major teams, 16 Midget Minor teams and 16 Bantam Major teams.
 
The NAHL’s second Sherwood Future Prospects Tournament of the season will be held from December 26-30, 2008 at the Hardee’s Iceplex in Chesterfield, Mo., home of the St. Louis Bandits. The event will feature 12 Midget Major teams, 12 Midget Minor teams and 8 Bantam Major teams.
 
The league’s second annual Top Prospects Tournament is slated for January 18-20, 2009 at the Ice Cube in Ann Arbor, Mich., home of the USA Hockey National Team Development Program. The event features all-star teams from the NAHL's Central, North and South Divisions, as well as a team from the NTDP, competing in a three-game, round-robin tournament.
 
In conjunction with the Sherwood/NAHL Top Prospects Tournament, the league will also showcase its third and final Sherwood Future Prospects Tournament of the season.  The event, hosted by the USA Hockey National Team Development Program, will feature 12 Midget Major teams, 12 Midget Minor teams and 8 Bantam Major teams, will be held from January 16-19, 2009 at the Ice Cube.
 
The 2009 Robertson Cup Championship Tournament, which also represents USA Hockey’s Tier II Junior A national champion, will be hosted by the North Iowa Outlaws from April 28-May 2, 2009 at the North Iowa Ice Arena in Mason City, Iowa.
 
“The NAHL is committed to the development and exposure of not only our players, but our future prospects as well,” said Frankenfeld.  “These highly-scouted events prove that the NAHL is truly the league of opportunity.”

The oldest and largest junior league in the United States, the North American Hockey League, a USA Hockey-sanctioned Tier II Junior A league boasting 18 teams from across the country, including the esteemed USA Hockey National Team Development Program, prides itself on the social maturity and skill development of student-athletes ages 16-20 with aspirations of advancing to collegiate and/or professional hockey.

2008-09 NAHL Calendar of Events
September 17-20, 2008: Sherwood/NAHL Showcase Tournament, Blaine, Minn.
September 18-21, 2008: Sherwood Future Prospects Tournament, Blaine, Minn.
December 26-30, 2008: Sherwood Future Prospects Tournament, Chesterfield, Mo.
January 18-20, 2009: Sherwood/NAHL Top Prospects Tournament, Ann Arbor, Mich.
January 16-19, 2009: Sherwood Future Prospects Tournament, Ann Arbor, Mich.
April 28-May 2, 2009: Robertson Cup Championship Tournament, Mason City, Iowa