Traverse City Northstars Hockey

The Traverse City Northstars is a Junior A team that plays in the North Division of the North American Hockey League. The playing season runs from September through April. Home games are at the Centre ICE Arena in Traverse City. Read more at the team's Web site, www.traversecitynorthstars.com.

The North American Hockey League was founded in 1975 when the Michigan Junior League and Wolverine Junior League combined to form the Great Lakes Junior Hockey League. In 1984, the name changed to the North American Junior Hockey League, and was later modified to the current North American Hockey League (NAHL) designation.

The 2005-06 campaign marks the 30th season of NAHL competition, making it the oldest Junior A hockey league in the U.S. Over 60 NAHL players committed to NCAA hockey programs for 2005-06, including 14 to the CCHA, and 12 to WCHA schools.

The NAHL has also produced its share of National Hockey League players. NAHL alums currently in the NHL include Eric Lindros, Doug Weight, Ryan Miller, David Legwand, Brian Rolston, Mike Knuble, and Brent Johnson.

NAHL teams play almost exclusively against teams in their own divisions to minimize travel and allow students to pursue their educations. Teams play a 56-game regular season schedule that runs from September-April, with exhibition games and league playoff games providing additional contests.

Showcase events and the annual Robertson Cup championship tournament provide teams a chance to measure themselves in interdivisional competition, and attract numerous scouts and coaches from across North America to ensure visibility.

2005-06 NAHL divisional alignment

North Division - Traverse City North Stars, Alpena IceDiggers, Cleveland Barons, Mahoning Valley Phantoms, Team USA U-17/18

Central Division - Bismarck Bobcats, Fargo-Moorhead Jets, Minnesota Blizzard, North Iowa Outlaws, Southern Minnesota Express

South Division - Santa Fe Roadrunners, Springfield (IL) Jr. Blues, Texarkana Bandits, Texas Tornado, Wichita Falls (TX) Wildcats

West Division - Billings Bulls, Bozeman IceDogs, Fairbanks Ice Dogs, Helena Bighorns, Wasilla (AK) Spirit