North American Hockey League (1973–1977)
Minor professional hockey league
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The North American Hockey League (NAHL) was a low-level minor professional ice hockey league that existed from 1973 to 1977. Several of the NAHL teams operated as developmental ("farm") teams for World Hockey Association franchises. The NAHL was one of two leagues, along with the Southern Hockey League, that were formed after the Eastern Hockey League ceased operations in 1973. The Lockhart Cup was the league's championship trophy. With the loss of a number of franchises and financial struggles, the NAHL folded in September 1977.[1][2]
 | |
| Founded | 1973 |
|---|---|
| Folded | 1977 |
| No. of teams | 7 to 10 |
| Country | United States & Canada |
| Most titles | Syracuse Blazers (2) |
Teams
| Team name | Years | Seasons | City |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beauce Jaros | 1975–1976 | 2 | Saint-Georges, Quebec |
| Broome Dusters | 1973–1977 | 4 | Binghamton, New York |
| Buffalo Norsemen | 1975–1976 | 1 | North Tonawanda, New York |
| Cape Cod Cubs / Cape Codders | 1973–1976 | 3 | South Yarmouth, Massachusetts |
| Erie Blades | 1975–1977 | 2 | Erie, Pennsylvania |
| Johnstown Jets | 1973–1977 | 4 | Johnstown, Pennsylvania |
| Long Island Cougars | 1973–1975 | 2 | Commack, New York |
| Maine Nordiques | 1973–1977 | 4 | Lewiston, Maine |
| Mohawk Valley Comets | 1973–1977 | 4 | Utica, New York |
| Philadelphia Firebirds | 1974–1977 | 3 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Syracuse Blazers | 1973–1977 | 4 | Syracuse, New York |
Timeline
Lockhart Cup
The championship trophy of the North American Hockey League was named the Lockhart Cup in honor of Tommy Lockhart, founder of the Eastern Hockey League. The trophy was last awarded on April 10, 1977, to the Syracuse Blazers, and has since gone missing. The Hockey Hall of Fame stated that the Lockhart Cup is one of "about three historical trophies that have disappeared".[3] Its last known whereabouts was reported to be in the basement of Danny Belisle, the coach of the Blazers in the 1976–77 season.[3]
League dissolves
The league consisted of five teams when it folded in September 1977 amid financial struggles, releasing all players from their contracts. The Syracuse Blazers folded after winning what would be the last league championship. The league discussed continuing with five teams, but the Mohawk Valley Comets needed financial support from the other teams to continue. The other teams would have had to post $50,000 to keep the league alive, but the Broome Dusters and Philadelphia Blazers declined.[2]
The Firebirds joined the American Hockey League (AHL) as an expansion team,[4] and the Dusters' owners purchased the Providence Reds and relocated them as the Binghamton Dusters.[5]
Legacy in film
The league served as the inspiration for the film Slap Shot.[6] Ned Dowd, who played for the Johnstown Jets,[7] was the brother of the film's screenwriter, Nancy Dowd. Ned played for Johnstown during a season where the team was for sale, when his sister came to live in Johnstown and was inspired to write the screenplay. The film contains references to "Syracuse" and "Broome County", which were teams in the NAHL.[8] Some of the incidents depicted actually occurred in actual NAHL games.[6]