20th annual NAHL Showcase gets underway
The 20th annual North American Hockey League (NAHL) Showcase officially gets underway on Wednesday, September 13th and runs from September 13-16, 2023, at the NSC Super Rink in Blaine, Minnesota.
All 32 NAHL teams will play between three and four regular-season games at the Showcase, which is one of hockey's most prominent and popular events of the entire season and has become the 'Greatest Show on Ice.'
Click here for the 2023 NAHL Showcase Schedule
Click here for 2023 NAHL Showcase Scores
All 64 NAHL Showcase games will be broadcast live and in HD through NAHLTV.
For more information on the NAHL Showcase including schedule, ticket prices, hotels, rental cars and arena information, visit www.nahl.com/showcase
The NAHL Showcase attracts over 9,000 people in overall attendance, including more than 300+ professional, college and junior scouts. For scouting purposes, the NAHL Showcase is the premier event of its kind and is a yearly gathering for every NCAA program and NHL team as they get their first look at some of the best and brightest hockey talent North America has to offer.
“We continue to raise the bar and the 2023 NAHL Showcase will be our biggest and best one yet. It is a thrilling four days of competition and no other event in the hockey world brings people together like the Showcase. The opportunity it represents for our teams and players is one that unique to the NAHL, and we always look forward to seeing a new crop of players and talent showcase their skills. It truly is the Greatest Show on Ice,” said NAHL Commissioner and President Mark Frankenfeld.
One of the things the NAHL does better than any other junior league is seeing their players earn an NCAA opportunity while playing and being showcased in the NAHL. During the 2022-23 season, a total of 380 players made NCAA commitments, with 260 of those (69%) being NCAA Division I commitments.
The NAHL Showcase plays a big role in that success, with dozens of players each season earning an NCAA Division I opportunity during and following their participation in the event.
In addition to all 32 NAHL teams playing in the event, the United States National Team Development Program (NTDP) of the United States Hockey League (USHL) will be playing in the event in two exhibition games against the El Paso Rhinos on Friday, September 15th and the New Mexico Ice Wolves on Saturday, September 16th.
It will be the first event of the season for the North American Prospects Hockey League (NAPHL) T1ER League, which will also be played in conjunction with the Showcase. Entering its 15th season in 2023-24, the NAPHL is made up of USA Hockey-sanctioned teams that compete in the 18U, 16U, 15U and 14U levels. NAPHL teams will compete at the NAHL Showcase from September 14-17.
The Super Rink is the largest ice arena of its kind in the world. The state-of-the-art facility, a $21 million project totaling over 300,000 square feet, features eight sheets of ice under one roof. With all its varied amenities and services, the Super Rink is absolutely unique in the world of ice sport facilities.
Seminars
In an effort to provide more opportunity to NAHL teams in Blaine during the NAHL Showcase, the North American Hockey League and the office of the Director of Player Personnel is offering an education seminar to teams.
Craig Barnett will be discussing “The Path” to NCAA Hockey. The seminar will include climbing USA Hockey Develop Ladder, the levels of USA Hockey Juniors, and NCAA opportunities within NCAA Division I, III, and ACHA hockey along with NCAA compliance.
The 45-minute presentations are scheduled for Thursday, September 14th and will be in the Grand Hall of the Welcome Center of the National Sports Center located in the building directly to the right of the Super Rink.
Craig Barnett is the Director of NCAA Compliance Education for the NAHL and the Executive Director of the ACHA. He brings a wealth of knowledge as a former NCAA Division I Head Coach and Athletic Director.
The Education and Compliance seminar will cover several topics that are important for a hockey player and family with NCAA aspirations. The focus will be on differences between NCAA Division I, Division III and the ACHA, the breakdown of new NCAA I conference landscape, NCAA Initial Eligibility information including important new rules and how future players will be affected, the recruiting process and how to market yourself.
Scheduled Times for the Thurs, Sept. 14 NCAA Compliance and Education Seminars
11:00 – 11:45am: AUSTIN / OKLAHOMA / MARYLAND / FAIRBANKS / AMARILLO /
MINNESOTA / ANCHORAGE / NEW MEXICO
12:15 – 1:00pm: COLORADO / NORTH IOWA / BISMARCK / ODESSA / PHILADELPHIA /
SPRINGFIELD / KENAI RIVER / JOHNSTOWN
2:15 – 3:00pm: MAINE / MINOT / LONE STAR / ABERDEEN / CHIPPEWA / DANBURY /
CORPUS CHRISTI / NEW HAMPSHIRE
5:45 – 6:30pm: NORTHEAST / ST. CLOUD / JANESVILLE / EL PASO / ROCHESTER /
SHREVEPORT / WISCONSIN / NEW JERSEY