T1ER Announces 2024-25 Season Schedule

May 6, 2024

The NAPHL (North American Prospects Hockey League) T1ER League proudly announces its dates and locations for the 2024-2025 Season. The posted dates and locations are strategically placed in venues to enhance exposure, development and player advancement. The T1ER League is composed of some of the top USA Hockey Tier 1 National Bound programs from around the country.

The T1ER League primary mission is to develop and advance players to the North American Hockey League (NAHL), the United States Hockey League (USHL) and the North American 3 Hockey League (NA3HL) with the goal to play college hockey. With the number of resources, the NAHL contributes to scouting, technology and internal exposure initiatives, and it is no wonder that more players from the T1ER receive tenders, are drafted, and advance to play in the NAHL.

To date, 60 players have been tendered in the NAHL from the T1ER League along with 35+ T1ER players being tendered & drafted in the NA3HL. "We are thrilled to continue to see our league members move their players on to the NAHL and NA3HL," Director of Player Personnel, Dennis Vickers said. "This continues to reinforce our commitment to providing unparalleled opportunities for player growth and development within our league. With the exposure series of events created for our teams, along with their scouting expertise we are confident in their ability to identify and advance the next generation of hockey talent. In fact, no other youth league has more players playing in the NAHL, than the T1ER."

Highlighting the T1ER schedule is the NAHL Showcase in Blaine, MN, which is considered by many to be the “Greatest Show on Ice”, as it attracts hundreds of scouts yearly from all levels of Junior Hockey, NCAA, and NHL scouts and coaches to aid in advancing players. New this season is the December 13-16 T1ER / Tier 1 Elite Hockey League 18U Invitational, which runs in conjunction with the NA3HL Showcase. This event will combine the two top 18U leagues in the country in an effort to promote these players and provide them with unparalleled exposure through, again, the partnership with Neutral Zone and by attracting all NAHL teams; the event is sure to bring in many of the top NCAA coaches and scouts from around the country.

The 2024-25 Schedule of Showcase end Exposure Events are listed below:

September 26-29, Blaine, MN: Partnered with the NAHL Showcase, this event will feature 98 top T1ER teams alongside guest teams from across the country. Teams will compete against each other and strategically coincide with the NAHL Showcase, attracting over 300 scouts from NHL, NCAA, and junior leagues. Highlighting the event, ALL 35 NAHL organizations along with the USNTDP 17U’s will have the opportunity to compete against each other making this the top scouting event of the season.
December 13-16, Blaine, MN: Partnered with the Tier 1 Elite Hockey League and NA3HL Showcase, this event will bring together 72 elite T1ER teams. With every NAHL team in attendance for scouting purposes, this event promises to be a premier recruiting opportunity for players seeking collegiate and junior hockey opportunities.
February 14-17, Troy/Rochester, MI: The T1ER League Dixon Cup championship, mandatory for all age groups, will feature divisions and seeding determined by NAPHL power rankings. With every NAHL team in attendance for scouting purposes, this is a great opportunity for our players to finish the season on a high note.

In addition to these unparalleled showcase events, the League hosts regional events strategically located across the country, aimed to reduce travel costs for league games while maximizing competition.

November 1-3 Albuquerque, NM: This event includes West T1ER League teams and Guest teams at the 18/16U level. Strategically scheduled during NAHL games to provide a true NAHL Experience.
November 22-25 Hooksett, NH: This event includes East T1ER League teams and Guest teams at the 18/16U/14U level. Strategically scheduled during NAHL games to provide a true NAHL Experience.
December 6-8 Sewell, NJ: This event includes East T1ER League teams and Guest teams at the 18/16U level. Strategically scheduled during NAHL games to provide a true NAHL Experience.
January 31-February 2 Cranberry Township, PA: This event includes Central T1ER League teams and Guest teams at the 18/16U level. Strategically scheduled during the NAHL Top Prospects to provide a true NAHL Experience.

Just a few of the key features that are in place specifically to aid in the development and advancement of T1ER League players are listed below:

T1ER League players have access to the NAHL Tendering system that is exclusive only to the NAPHL.
NCAA Academic and Junior Recruiting Seminars will take place in December and parents are welcome to attend.
The NAHL continues to partner with Neutral Zone attending T1ER events to boost scouting and exposure for players.
Divisions, competition, and playoff seeding are determined by the NAPHL Competitive and Balance Development (CBD) Rankings.
T1ER League and its players receive the full support of the NAHL hockey operations and marketing staff.
T1ER League has a dedicated Director, Administrator, Digital Media Coordinator, and Director of On-Ice Officials
NAHL technologies such as NAStats, NAScout and NATv are being used to maximize player marketing and exposure.

No other Tier I youth hockey league has the support and the resources of the NAHL behind it with the common mission to develop players to one day play college hockey. If you have any questions or are interested in joining the T1ER League, more information can be found HERE, or by emailing Dennis Vickers at dvickers@nahl.com.

About the T1ER

The T1ER is the premier youth hockey league dedicated to developing top-tier talent for junior hockey, and advancing players to the NAHL & NA3HL, and on to NCAA hockey. With a focus on player development and competition, the T1ER provides a platform for aspiring hockey players to showcase their and advance at the highest levels of the sport.