North Peace Hockey League
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22:58, 10 February 2007 (UTC)The North Peace Hockey League is a Canadian mens Senior ice hockey league based in Northern Alberta and North Eastern British Columbia. It is not professional but the teams and players play at a reasonably high calibre. The NPHL draws several hundred fans to each game, with many games being sold out each night.
With a history that dates back to the early 1950s, the NPHL is the has the distinction of being the longest continually running senior hockey league currently in existence in western Canada. The league was down to two teams (Peace River Stampeders and High Prairie Regals) in the early 1970s, when it played an interlocking schedule with the South Peace Hockey League.
[edit] Teams
- Fairview Kings
- Fort St. John Flyers
- Grande Prairie Athletics
- Grimshaw Huskies
- High Prairie Regals
- Horse Lake Thunder
- Lakeland Eagles
- Manning Comets
- Peace River Stampeders
- Spirit River Rangers
- Valleyview Jets
Former Teams:
- Hythe Mustangs, Falher Pirates, Fairview Elks, Fairview Monarchs, McLennan Red Wings, Rycroft Flames, Dawson Creek Canucks
[edit] Famous players
Former NHL superstar Theoren Fleury played a season with the Horse Lake Thunder in 2004. The Thunder had spent millions of dollars on a new arena, players and the team went on to win the championship that year in an attempt at winning the Allan Cup. The Thunder were defeated in the semi final by a team from Ontario. Former New York Rangers goalie and current St Louis Blues president John Davidson played one season with the High Prairie Regals in the early 1970s. Reg Bentley, one of the famous Bentleys of NHL fame was a player/coach for the High Prairie Regals for a couple years in the early 1960's. Roger Bellerive, who later spent a few years with the Portland Buckaroos of the old WHL played for the Falher Pirates in the late 1950's. Former AHL star, Fred Hilts played a few seasons for the Spirit River Rangers, who were then in the old South Peace Hockey League in the early 1960's. Norm Skrudland, father of former NHL star Brian, starred with the Grimshaw Huskies in the early 1960's. As well, former NHL and AHL player Wade Campbell played in Grimshaw before and after his professional career.
