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, the NAHL elected to fold in September 1977.[1]
The league served as the inspiration for the film Slap Shot.[2]Ned Dowd, who played for the Johnstown Jets,[3] 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.[4] Some of the incidents depicted actually occurred in actual NAHL games.[2]
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".[5] Its last known whereabouts was reported to be in the basement of Danny Belisle, the coach of the Blazers in the 1976–77 season.[5]
^ abMiller, Chuck. From Atlantic City to Toronto: The Boardwalk Trophy and the Eastern Hockey League. Part 2: The Jets, the Comets, Southern Expansion and Well-Worn Knuckles. Vol. 3 (2 ed.). Fort Wayne, Indiana: Hockey Ink!. pp. 4–6.
^"Ned Dowd Hockey Stats and Profile at hockeydb.com".
^"North American Hockey League [1973-1977] history and statistics". hockeydb.com.
^ abGoulet, Neal (February 3, 2014). "A thirst to find hockey's Lockhart Cup, which honors a pioneer". Goulet Communications. Retrieved July 26, 2020.
External links
Encyclopedia of the North American Hockey League Blog
Teams and standings
January 20, 2023
north, american, hockey, league, 1973, 1977, this, article, about, defunct, professional, league, junior, league, united, states, north, american, hockey, league, quebec, based, professional, league, ligue, nord, américaine, hockey, north, american, hockey, le. This article is about the defunct professional league For the junior league in the United States see North American Hockey League For the Quebec based professional league see Ligue Nord Americaine de Hockey 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 the NAHL elected to fold in September 1977 1 North American Hockey LeagueFounded1973Ceased1977Replaced byAmerican Hockey LeagueNo of teams7 to 10CountryUnited States amp CanadaMost titlesSyracuse Blazers 2 The league served as the inspiration for the film Slap Shot 2 Ned Dowd who played for the Johnstown Jets 3 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 4 Some of the incidents depicted actually occurred in actual NAHL games 2 Contents 1 Teams 2 Lockhart Cup 3 References 4 External linksTeams EditTeam name Years Seasons CityBeauce Jaros 1975 1976 2 Saint Georges QuebecBroome Dusters 1973 1977 4 Binghamton New YorkBuffalo Norsemen 1975 1976 1 North Tonawanda New YorkCape Cod Cubs Cape Codders 1973 1976 3 South Yarmouth MassachusettsErie Blades 1975 1977 2 Erie PennsylvaniaJohnstown Jets 1973 1977 4 Johnstown PennsylvaniaLong Island Cougars 1973 1975 2 Commack New YorkMaine Nordiques 1973 1977 4 Lewiston MaineMohawk Valley Comets 1973 1977 4 Utica New YorkPhiladelphia Firebirds 1974 1977 3 Philadelphia PennsylvaniaSyracuse Blazers 1973 1977 4 Syracuse New YorkLockhart Cup Edit Gregg Pilling and the Lockhart Cup in 1976 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 5 Its last known whereabouts was reported to be in the basement of Danny Belisle the coach of the Blazers in the 1976 77 season 5 Season Champion Runner up1973 74 Syracuse Blazers Long Island Cougars1974 75 Johnstown Jets Broome Dusters1975 76 Philadelphia Firebirds Beauce Jaros1976 77 Syracuse Blazers Maine NordiquesReferences Edit Reading Eagle 26 September 1977 a b Miller Chuck From Atlantic City to Toronto The Boardwalk Trophy and the Eastern Hockey League Part 2 The Jets the Comets Southern Expansion and Well Worn Knuckles Vol 3 2 ed Fort Wayne Indiana Hockey Ink pp 4 6 Ned Dowd Hockey Stats and Profile at hockeydb com North American Hockey League 1973 1977 history and statistics hockeydb com a b Goulet Neal February 3 2014 A thirst to find hockey s Lockhart Cup which honors a pioneer Goulet Communications Retrieved July 26 2020 External links EditEncyclopedia of the North American Hockey League Blog Teams and standings Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title North American Hockey League 1973 1977 amp oldid 1126163527, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
