Northern Junior Hockey League
Encyclopedia
The Northern Junior Hockey League (NJHL) was an independent regional junior ice hockey
league based in Jamestown, New York
. The league's first and only season was the 2009-2010 season it included 7 teams including former UJHL teams.
, and Wooster Oilers
transferred from the America East Hockey League
to form the UJHL along with the additional expansion teams - Findlay Grrrowl
and Jamestown Jets
. In August 2008, after the America East Hockey League
went dark for the 2008-2009 season, the UJHL accepted four Canadian teams that were to be new members of the AEHL into the UJHL. A new Division was created for the teams, made up of prep schools and small colleges that field Junior teams from Quebec, Canada.
In February 2009, the entire North Division left the UJHL. The reason given by the league was lack of finances. Soon after, the four North Division teams played their own playoffs, won by the Harrington College Icebergs
over Team Ulysse
2-games-to-1. In March 2009, Barry Soskin, owner of the Penn, Jamestown, and Findlay franchises decided to pull his teams from the UJHL, before briefly agreeing to return in order to finish the playoffs. The remaining first UJHL playoff champion, without competition from their North Division, was the Findlay Grrrowl
who beat the Jamestown Jets
2-games-to-1 to win in the final.
Soskin's franchises eventually did split off to form the Northern Junior Hockey League in 2009. The NJHL also claims membership of the Adirondack, Philadelphia, Troy, and Wooster teams, in addition to the Jamestown and Findlay teams, and Team Ulysse, which joined as well.
The league merged completeness with the NJHL.
But the Findlay Grrrowl split the series by, winning the second game on September 12, 2009.
On August 25, 2010 the Jamestown Jets
announced the team was moving to the Canadian Greater Metro Junior A Hockey League
(GMHL). followed by the Battle Creek Jr. Revolution
, an expansion franchise for 2010-11 announced a move to the Tier III junior A Central States Hockey League
(CSHL) and the Troy Bruins
announced that the franchise was moving to the minor professional All American Hockey League (AAHL). On August 31, 2010 Danville Express
's GM resigned and Findlay Grrrowl
and Danville websites have been taken down and no word from the Alpena Thunder
, sparking rumors the league folded. On September 1, 2010 the league went dark.
North
Junior ice hockey
Junior hockey is a catch-all term used to describe various levels of ice hockey competition for players generally between 16 and 20 years of age...
league based in Jamestown, New York
Jamestown, New York
Jamestown is a city in Chautauqua County, New York in the United States. The population was 31,146 at the 2010 census.The City of Jamestown is adjacent to Town of Ellicott and is at the southern tip of Chautauqua Lake...
. The league's first and only season was the 2009-2010 season it included 7 teams including former UJHL teams.
United Junior Hockey League
The United Junior Hockey League (UJHL) was created in 2008 when three teams – the Penn Enforcers, Philadelphia ThunderPhiladelphia Thunder
The Philadelphia Jr. Jackals are an independent junior "A" ice hockey team that play in the in the Mid-Atlantic Division of International Junior Hockey League Super Elite League...
, and Wooster Oilers
Wooster Oilers
The Wooster Oilers are a Tier III junior hockey team ice hockey in the Great Lakes Junior Hockey League. The team plays home games at the Alice Noble Ice Arena in Wooster, Ohio.-History:...
transferred from the America East Hockey League
America East Hockey League
America East Hockey League was a Junior A league that folded in August 2008. The League had teams in the Northeastern region of the United States.It stated goal was to develops its players to play on college, Major Junior, and professional teams...
to form the UJHL along with the additional expansion teams - Findlay Grrrowl
Findlay Grrrowl
The Findlay Grrrowl was a Junior "A" ice hockey team and a member of the Northern Junior Hockey League. The team played home games at Huntington Bank Arena at the Hancock Rec Center in Findlay, Ohio, USA.-Franchise History:...
and Jamestown Jets
Jamestown Jets
The Jamestown Jets are an American junior ice hockey team based in Jamestown, New York. Originally members of the United Junior Hockey League and later the Northern Junior Hockey League. The Jets played in the Canadian Greater Metro Junior A Hockey League in 2010-11.-History:The team was announced...
. In August 2008, after the America East Hockey League
America East Hockey League
America East Hockey League was a Junior A league that folded in August 2008. The League had teams in the Northeastern region of the United States.It stated goal was to develops its players to play on college, Major Junior, and professional teams...
went dark for the 2008-2009 season, the UJHL accepted four Canadian teams that were to be new members of the AEHL into the UJHL. A new Division was created for the teams, made up of prep schools and small colleges that field Junior teams from Quebec, Canada.
In February 2009, the entire North Division left the UJHL. The reason given by the league was lack of finances. Soon after, the four North Division teams played their own playoffs, won by the Harrington College Icebergs
Harrington College Icebergs
The Harrington College Icebergs are an independent Junior A ice hockey team for players ages 15–20. The team is affiliated with Harrington College of Canada. The Icebergs are members of the America East Hockey League. The team plays home games at the Kevin Lowe-Pierre Page Ice Arena in Lachute,...
over Team Ulysse
Team Ulysse
Team Ulysse is a Canadian Junior ice hockey from La Plaine, Quebec. They are former members of the Northern Junior Hockey League and the United Junior Hockey League, a pair of Independent Junior A leagues from the United States The team is affiliated with École secondaire de...
2-games-to-1. In March 2009, Barry Soskin, owner of the Penn, Jamestown, and Findlay franchises decided to pull his teams from the UJHL, before briefly agreeing to return in order to finish the playoffs. The remaining first UJHL playoff champion, without competition from their North Division, was the Findlay Grrrowl
Findlay Grrrowl
The Findlay Grrrowl was a Junior "A" ice hockey team and a member of the Northern Junior Hockey League. The team played home games at Huntington Bank Arena at the Hancock Rec Center in Findlay, Ohio, USA.-Franchise History:...
who beat the Jamestown Jets
Jamestown Jets
The Jamestown Jets are an American junior ice hockey team based in Jamestown, New York. Originally members of the United Junior Hockey League and later the Northern Junior Hockey League. The Jets played in the Canadian Greater Metro Junior A Hockey League in 2010-11.-History:The team was announced...
2-games-to-1 to win in the final.
Soskin's franchises eventually did split off to form the Northern Junior Hockey League in 2009. The NJHL also claims membership of the Adirondack, Philadelphia, Troy, and Wooster teams, in addition to the Jamestown and Findlay teams, and Team Ulysse, which joined as well.
The league merged completeness with the NJHL.
Northern Junior Hockey League
The new league, under the Northern Junior Hockey League (NJHL), name was officially announced on May 11, 2009 when the NJHL launched its website.. The league's first season of play is the 2009-10 season. The first game was won by the Jamestown Jets playing against the Findlay Grrrowl by 5:2, playing at the Jamestown Savings Bank Arena on September 11, 2009.But the Findlay Grrrowl split the series by, winning the second game on September 12, 2009.
On August 25, 2010 the Jamestown Jets
Jamestown Jets
The Jamestown Jets are an American junior ice hockey team based in Jamestown, New York. Originally members of the United Junior Hockey League and later the Northern Junior Hockey League. The Jets played in the Canadian Greater Metro Junior A Hockey League in 2010-11.-History:The team was announced...
announced the team was moving to the Canadian Greater Metro Junior A Hockey League
Greater Metro Junior A Hockey League
The Greater Metro Junior A Hockey League is a Canadian Developmental Junior "A" ice hockey league. The GMHL is not affiliated with the Canadian Junior Hockey League or a member by Hockey Canada...
(GMHL). followed by the Battle Creek Jr. Revolution
Battle Creek Jr. Revolution
The Battle Creek Jr. Revolution are a Tier III Junior ice hockey team which plays in the North American 3 Hockey League . The team plays its home games at Revolution Arena in Battle Creek, Michigan. The Jr. Revolution began in 2010 and joined the independent Northern Junior Hockey League for the...
, an expansion franchise for 2010-11 announced a move to the Tier III junior A Central States Hockey League
Central States Hockey League
The North American 3 Hockey League is an American Tier III Junior "A" ice hockey league that consists of 16 teams from Illinois, Ohio, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri and Pennsylvania....
(CSHL) and the Troy Bruins
Troy Bruins (2009–)
The Troy Bruins were a professional ice hockey team which played in the All American Hockey League. The team played their home games at Hobart Arena in downtown Troy, Ohio.-History:...
announced that the franchise was moving to the minor professional All American Hockey League (AAHL). On August 31, 2010 Danville Express
Danville Express
The Danville Express are an independent Junior A ice hockey team in the Northern Junior Hockey League. The team plays out of David S. Palmer Arena in Danville, Illinois-History:...
's GM resigned and Findlay Grrrowl
Findlay Grrrowl
The Findlay Grrrowl was a Junior "A" ice hockey team and a member of the Northern Junior Hockey League. The team played home games at Huntington Bank Arena at the Hancock Rec Center in Findlay, Ohio, USA.-Franchise History:...
and Danville websites have been taken down and no word from the Alpena Thunder
Alpena Thunder
The Alpena Thunder are an independent Junior A ice hockey team. The team plays out of Northern Lights Arena in Alpena, Michigan.-History:The Franchise was formed in 2010 as an expansion franchise in the 2010-11 season of Northern Junior Hockey League. In August 2010 the Northern Junior Hockey...
, sparking rumors the league folded. On September 1, 2010 the league went dark.
Former teams
- Adirondack Predators- 2009-2010, moved operations to Russia after playing out of Albany NY for a season
- Alpena ThunderAlpena ThunderThe Alpena Thunder are an independent Junior A ice hockey team. The team plays out of Northern Lights Arena in Alpena, Michigan.-History:The Franchise was formed in 2010 as an expansion franchise in the 2010-11 season of Northern Junior Hockey League. In August 2010 the Northern Junior Hockey...
expansion 2010, joined CJHLContinental Junior Hockey LeagueThe Continental Junior Hockey League is a junior ice hockey league based in the Northeastern United States and Canada. The league is currently affiliated with the Amateur Athletic Union, previously independent. League President Jim Cashman is the former President of the now defunct semi-pro Gulf... - Battle Creek Jr. RevolutionBattle Creek Jr. RevolutionThe Battle Creek Jr. Revolution are a Tier III Junior ice hockey team which plays in the North American 3 Hockey League . The team plays its home games at Revolution Arena in Battle Creek, Michigan. The Jr. Revolution began in 2010 and joined the independent Northern Junior Hockey League for the...
- expansion 2010, joined CSHLCentral States Hockey LeagueThe North American 3 Hockey League is an American Tier III Junior "A" ice hockey league that consists of 16 teams from Illinois, Ohio, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri and Pennsylvania.... - Danville ExpressDanville ExpressThe Danville Express are an independent Junior A ice hockey team in the Northern Junior Hockey League. The team plays out of David S. Palmer Arena in Danville, Illinois-History:...
2010, never played, folded - Draveurs de Trois-Rivières 2008-2009, moved to LHPS
- Findlay GrrrowlFindlay GrrrowlThe Findlay Grrrowl was a Junior "A" ice hockey team and a member of the Northern Junior Hockey League. The team played home games at Huntington Bank Arena at the Hancock Rec Center in Findlay, Ohio, USA.-Franchise History:...
2008-2010, folded - Indiana Inferno- 2009, never played, folded
- Jamestown JetsJamestown JetsThe Jamestown Jets are an American junior ice hockey team based in Jamestown, New York. Originally members of the United Junior Hockey League and later the Northern Junior Hockey League. The Jets played in the Canadian Greater Metro Junior A Hockey League in 2010-11.-History:The team was announced...
- 2008-2010, moved to GMHLGreater Metro Junior A Hockey LeagueThe Greater Metro Junior A Hockey League is a Canadian Developmental Junior "A" ice hockey league. The GMHL is not affiliated with the Canadian Junior Hockey League or a member by Hockey Canada... - Penn Enforcers 2008-2009, folded
- Pittsburgh Cougars- never played, folded
- Philadelphia ThunderPhiladelphia ThunderThe Philadelphia Jr. Jackals are an independent junior "A" ice hockey team that play in the in the Mid-Atlantic Division of International Junior Hockey League Super Elite League...
- 2008-2010, moved to IJHLInternational Junior Hockey LeagueInternational Junior Hockey League is an independent Tier III Junior A ice hockey league. The League has teams in the New England and Mid Atlantic region of the United States.-League History:... - Saint Lawrence LionsChamplain College St. LawrenceSt. Lawrence College is a campus belonging to Champlain Regional College. The campus is located in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada, and is the only English-language Cégep to serve the region.-History:...
2008-2009, moved to LHPS - Team UlysseTeam UlysseTeam Ulysse is a Canadian Junior ice hockey from La Plaine, Quebec. They are former members of the Northern Junior Hockey League and the United Junior Hockey League, a pair of Independent Junior A leagues from the United States The team is affiliated with École secondaire de...
-2008-2010, moved to LHPS - Troy BruinsTroy Bruins (2009–)The Troy Bruins were a professional ice hockey team which played in the All American Hockey League. The team played their home games at Hobart Arena in downtown Troy, Ohio.-History:...
2009-2010, moved to AAHL - Wooster OilersWooster OilersThe Wooster Oilers are a Tier III junior hockey team ice hockey in the Great Lakes Junior Hockey League. The team plays home games at the Alice Noble Ice Arena in Wooster, Ohio.-History:...
- 2008-2010, moved to GLJHLGreat Lakes Junior Hockey LeagueThe Great Lakes Junior Hockey League , an American Tier III Junior B ice hockey league. The league has 12 teams located in the Great Lakes region of the Midwestern United States.-History:...
UJHL Champions
South- 2009 Findlay GrrrowlFindlay GrrrowlThe Findlay Grrrowl was a Junior "A" ice hockey team and a member of the Northern Junior Hockey League. The team played home games at Huntington Bank Arena at the Hancock Rec Center in Findlay, Ohio, USA.-Franchise History:...
North
- 2009 Harrington College IcebergsHarrington College IcebergsThe Harrington College Icebergs are an independent Junior A ice hockey team for players ages 15–20. The team is affiliated with Harrington College of Canada. The Icebergs are members of the America East Hockey League. The team plays home games at the Kevin Lowe-Pierre Page Ice Arena in Lachute,...
External links
- NJHL League Website (non operational)