West Division (NAHL)
Encyclopedia
The West Division is one of four divisions
in the North American Hockey League
. The division currently has six teams and was formed in 2008 when the Wenatchee Wild
became the fourth team required for a division. Prior to the 2010 expansion, only four teams operated in the West. The current champion of this division is the Wenatchee Wild
.
Division (sport)
In sports, a division is a group of teams who compete against each other for a championship.-League system:In sports using a league system , a division consists a group of teams who play a sport at a similar competitive level...
in the North American Hockey League
North American Hockey League
The North American Hockey League is one of the top junior hockey leagues in the United States and is enterting its 36th season in 2011-12. It is currently the only Junior A Tier II league, sanctioned by USA Hockey. The NAHL currently acts as an alternative to the United States Hockey League...
. The division currently has six teams and was formed in 2008 when the Wenatchee Wild
Wenatchee Wild
The Wenatchee Wild is a Tier II Junior A ice hockey team in the North American Hockey League's West Division based in Wenatchee, Washington. The team joined the NAHL as an expansion team for the 2008-09 season, the team plays its home games at the 4,300-seat Town Toyota Center...
became the fourth team required for a division. Prior to the 2010 expansion, only four teams operated in the West. The current champion of this division is the Wenatchee Wild
Wenatchee Wild
The Wenatchee Wild is a Tier II Junior A ice hockey team in the North American Hockey League's West Division based in Wenatchee, Washington. The team joined the NAHL as an expansion team for the 2008-09 season, the team plays its home games at the 4,300-seat Town Toyota Center...
.
Current members
- Alaska AvalancheAlaska AvalancheThe Alaska Avalanche are a Tier II Junior A ice hockey team in the North American Hockey League's West Division. The team plays their home games at the Palmer Ice Arena in Palmer, Alaska.-Franchise history:...
- Joined in 1996; formerly of the South Division (as the St Louis Sting/ Springfield Spirit/ Wasilla Spirit) - Dawson Creek RageDawson Creek RageThe Dawson Creek Rage is a Tier II Junior A ice hockey team based out of Dawson Creek, British Columbia. The team plays in the 4,500 seat EnCana Events Centre...
- Joined in 2010 as an expansion team - Fairbanks Ice DogsFairbanks Ice DogsThe Fairbanks Ice Dogs is a Tier II Junior A ice hockey team in the North American Hockey League's West Division. The Ice Dogs play home games at the 2,200-seat Big Dipper Ice Arena in Fairbanks, Alaska...
- Joined in 2001; formerly of the North Division - Fresno MonstersFresno MonstersThe Fresno Monsters are a Junior A Tier II ice hockey team based out of Fresno, California. The team is currently a member of the North American Hockey League and play in the West Division. as well as continuing to field a WSHL team...
- Joined in 2010 as an expansion team - Kenai River Brown BearsKenai River Brown BearsThe Kenai River Brown Bears is a Tier II Junior A ice hockey team in the North American Hockey League's West Division based in Soldotna, Alaska...
- Joined in 2007; formerly of the South Division - Wenatchee WildWenatchee WildThe Wenatchee Wild is a Tier II Junior A ice hockey team in the North American Hockey League's West Division based in Wenatchee, Washington. The team joined the NAHL as an expansion team for the 2008-09 season, the team plays its home games at the 4,300-seat Town Toyota Center...
- Joined in 2008 as an expansion team
Former members
- Billings BullsBillings BullsThe Billings Bulls are a Tier III Junior A ice hockey team currently playing in the American West Hockey League. The Bulls are based in Billings, Montana and play home games at the 550-seat Centennial Ice Arena, due to the size, the Bulls frequently sell out games and broadcast their games on...
- Founding member; moved to the Northern Pacific Hockey LeagueNorthern Pacific Hockey LeagueThe Northern Pacific Hockey League is an American Tier III Junior A ice hockey league sanctioned by USA Hockey. Its championship trophy is the Cascade Cup.-Current teams:-Suspended teams:...
in 2006 - Bismarck BobcatsBismarck BobcatsThe Bismarck Bobcats are a Junior A ice hockey team in the North American Hockey League's Central Division, and play out of Bismarck, North Dakota, in the V.F.W. Sports Center. Originally a part of the America West Hockey League, the Bobcats joined the NAHL in a merger of the two leagues in 2003...
- Founding member; moved to the Central Division in 2005 - Bozeman IcedogsBozeman IcedogsThe Bozeman Icedogs are a Tier III Junior A ice hockey team located in Bozeman, Montana. The team is a member of the American West Hockey League . The Icedogs play home games at the Haynes Pavilion located at the Gallatin County Fairgrounds....
- Founding member; moved to the Northern Pacific Hockey LeagueNorthern Pacific Hockey LeagueThe Northern Pacific Hockey League is an American Tier III Junior A ice hockey league sanctioned by USA Hockey. Its championship trophy is the Cascade Cup.-Current teams:-Suspended teams:...
in 2006 - Fargo-Moorhead JetsFargo-Moorhead JetsThe Fargo-Moorhead Jets were a Junior A ice hockey team in the North American Hockey League's central division, and played out of John E. Carlson Coliseum in Fargo, North Dakota. Their inaugural season was the 2003-2004 season and they folded after the 2007-08 season....
- Founding member; folded in 2007 - Helena BighornsHelena BighornsThe Helena Bighorns is a Tier III Junior A ice hockey team in the American West Hockey League based in Helena, Montana USA. The team plays their home games at the 1,600-seat Helena Ice Arena...
- Founding member; moved to the Northern Pacific Hockey LeagueNorthern Pacific Hockey LeagueThe Northern Pacific Hockey League is an American Tier III Junior A ice hockey league sanctioned by USA Hockey. Its championship trophy is the Cascade Cup.-Current teams:-Suspended teams:...
in 2006 - Minnesota BlizzardAlexandria BlizzardThe Alexandria Blizzard are a Junior A ice hockey team in the North American Hockey League's central division. For the 2005-2006 season, the team was known as the Minnesota Blizzard, one of four expansion teams that started operations that year...
- Founding member; moved to the Central Division in 2005
The Division Members
| Time period | Lineup | Changes from previous setup |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Billings Bulls, Bismarck Bobcats, Bozeman Icedogs, Fargo-Moorhead Jets, Helena Bighorns, Minnesota Blizzard | |
| 2005 | Billings Bulls, Bozeman Icedogs, Fairbanks Ice Dogs, Helena Bighorns, Wasilla Spirit | Bismarck, Minnesota, Fargo-Moorhead Jets moved to Central |
| 2006-2007 | none | Fairbanks, Wasilla (renamed Alaska) move to South,Billings, Bozeman, Helena moved to Northern Pacific Hockey League |
| 2008-2009 | Alaska Avalanche, Fairbanks Ice Dogs, Kenai River Brown Bears, Wenatchee Wild | division reformed due to Wenatchee expansion |
| 2010-future | Alaska Avalanche, Dawson Creek Rage, Fairbanks Ice Dogs, Fresno Monsters, Kenai River Brown Bears, Wenatchee Wild | Dawson Creek and Fresno added as expansion teams |
West Division Champions - listed by year
| West Division Champions by year | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Winner | Record | Win % | Playoffs |
| Fargo-Moorhead Jets Fargo-Moorhead Jets The Fargo-Moorhead Jets were a Junior A ice hockey team in the North American Hockey League's central division, and played out of John E. Carlson Coliseum in Fargo, North Dakota. Their inaugural season was the 2003-2004 season and they folded after the 2007-08 season.... |
36-17-3 | .670 | Lost in 2004 Robertson Cup Championship Tournament, Texas Tornado wins championship | |
| Bozeman Icedogs Bozeman Icedogs The Bozeman Icedogs are a Tier III Junior A ice hockey team located in Bozeman, Montana. The team is a member of the American West Hockey League . The Icedogs play home games at the Haynes Pavilion located at the Gallatin County Fairgrounds.... |
48-9-1 | .836 | Lost in 2005 Robertson Cup Championship Tournament, Texas Tornado wins championship | |
| none | ||||
| none | ||||
| Wenatchee Wild Wenatchee Wild The Wenatchee Wild is a Tier II Junior A ice hockey team in the North American Hockey League's West Division based in Wenatchee, Washington. The team joined the NAHL as an expansion team for the 2008-09 season, the team plays its home games at the 4,300-seat Town Toyota Center... |
39-12-8 | .729 | Lost in 2008 Robertson Cup Championship Tournament final, St. Louis Bandits wins championship | |
| Wenatchee Wild Wenatchee Wild The Wenatchee Wild is a Tier II Junior A ice hockey team in the North American Hockey League's West Division based in Wenatchee, Washington. The team joined the NAHL as an expansion team for the 2008-09 season, the team plays its home games at the 4,300-seat Town Toyota Center... |
45-10-3 | .802 | Lost in 2009 Robertson Cup Championship Tournament, Bismarck Bobcats wins championship | |
| TBD | ||||