There was plenty of local flavor in last week’s North American Hockey League Draft. The NAHL is the only Tier II junior league sanctioned by USA Hockey. It is widely considered to be the second best junior league in the United States, only behind the USHL.
It was the first time through the NAHL Draft for New England’s newest junior hockey team, the Maine Nordiques. The organization have begun hockey operations ahead of its inaugural season. The Nordiques, planning to play out of the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, drafted 14 players.
Entering their fourth season, the Northeast Generals, the junior team based out of the New England Sports Village in Attleboro, Mass., also made 14 selections.
In addition, 17 local players were selected by various leagues team during the 16-round draft. Players can also be tendered by NAHL teams ahead of the draft. Being tendered or drafted by a NAHL team only binds players to that specific franchise if they choose to play in the league. Players are free to continue playing prep school or midget hockey, or competing in the USHL, USPHL NCDC, BCHL, AJHL, CCHL or OJHL.
