Weekend Wrap: Great Tier 1/AAA Boys Action All Over North America Sept. 25-28
The sixth weekend of the 2025-26 North American hockey season featured a ton of action in the State of Hockey, while some of the top USA Boys Tier 1 16 and 18U programs squared off in Rhode Island and some traditionally strong Western Canada Boys AAA teams got in some high-level prep for their upcoming league seasons in Alberta.
The North American Hockey League Showcase, also known as the Greatest Show on Ice, got underway Wednesday, Sept. 24, as all 34 Tier 2 NAHL junior teams converged on the National Sports Center in Blaine, Minn., for a weekend of regular-season games. USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program U17 team also participated.
The showcase featured 13 games per day Sept. 24-27, with each NAHL team playing three regular-season contests. All games can be viewed on demand at NAHLTV.com.
The North American Hockey League, the lone USA Hockey-sanctioned tuition-free Tier 2 junior (20U) league in the United States, is affiliated with the North American Prospects Hockey League (NAPHL), an in-season youth showcase league that is comprised of 14U, 15O, 16U and 18U Tier 1 and Tier 2 Boys Teams from all over the United States. To take advantage of the nearly 400 college and pro scouts in Blaine for the NAHL Showcase, the NAPHL also held one of its weekend events there from Thursday, Sept. 25, through Sunday Sept. 28.
The NAPHL is divided into three leagues: the T1ER, which is comprised only of USA Boys Tier 1 teams; the SHOW, which includes Tier 1 and Tier 2 teams; and the Fall League, which offers games in September and October. Tier 1 USA Boys teams that compete in the NAPHL T1ER League were in Blaine for the showcase weekend, with more than 90 member and guest teams ages 14-18 competing.
There were even more opportunities for junior, college and pro scouts in Minnesota to see top USA Tier 1 Boys players Sept. 25-28 as the Minnesota Blades held their annual showcase in similar age groups about 20 miles away from Blaine in the Minneapolis area.
More top USA Boys Tier 1 16U and 18U Teams also competed in the Northeast Pack’s second regular-season weekend of the year Sept. 26-28 in Rhode Island.
The NE Pack is a regular-season weekend showcase-style league that includes six traditional United States Tier 1 Boys powerhouse programs from the Northeast along with Michigan-based Little Caesars, which has joined at the 18U level for the 2025-26 season. There are six NE Pack regular-season weekends held at various Northeast locations, with playoffs set to be played in Utica, N.Y., in February.
Finally, some of Western Canada’s top AAA Boys teams played in the annual U18 Canadian Crown Tournament Sept. 25-28.
The Canadian Crown is hosted in Devon, Alberta, by the Northern Alberta Xtreme, traditionally one of the top programs in the Canadian School Sport Hockey League (CSSHL). It includes eight teams placed into two pools, with NAX’s CSSHL rivals from Calgary International Hockey Academy competing against teams from top Alberta and Saskatchewan programs such as the Edmonton Jr. Oilers, the Red Deer Chiefs, Fort Saskatchewan Rangers and Lloydminster Lancers as well as the Vancouver North West Hawks from British Columbia.
Play got underway in the NAPHL T1ER showcase bright and early Thursday, Sept. 25. Games in the 18U and 16U divisions were played at the National Sports Center, while 15O teams played at NSC and Fogerty Arena and six different rinks hosted the 14U contingent.
More than 90 teams participated across the four age groups, and all games can be viewed at NAHLTV.com.
NAPHL T1ER 14U Division
Games in the 14U Division were played at six different Minnesota rinks. There were 16 teams participating at the 14U level.
CLICK HERE for the NAPHL 14U schedule & results
CLICK HERE for the NAPHL 14U standings
NAPHL T1ER 14U Top Teams
Philadelphia Hockey Club (4-0-0; 14GF, 3GA)
Minnesota Moose (3-0-0; 25GF, 7GA)
Minnesota Loons (3-1-0; 39GF, 10GA)
Minnesota Green Jackets (3-0-0; 10GF, 4GA)
CarShield (3-1-0; 16GF, 14GA)
Omaha Mastery (2-2-0; 12GF, 10GA)
Team North Dakota (2-2-0; 17GF, 14GA
Minnesota Grey Ducks (2-0-0; 12GF, 2GA)
Three Minnesota Loons forwards – Alexander Boldt (6-7-13), Max Boe (7-5-12) and Brooks Peltier (3-8-11) led the 14U scoring parade. Maximillian Norman of the Pittsburgh Stars, Easton Samuelson of Team North Dakota and Charles Voelbel of the Minnesota Moose each notched eight points.
NAPHL T1ER 15O Division
Games in the 15O Division were played at Fogerty Arena and the National Sports Center in Blaine. There were 14 teams competing in the 15O age group.
CLICK HERE for the NAPHL 15O schedule & results
CLICK HERE for the NAPHL 15O standings
NAPHL T1ER 15O Division Top Teams
Omaha Mastery (4-0-0; 27GF, 1GA)
Pittsburgh Stars (4-0-0; 15GF, 5GA)
Tri-State Spartans (3-1-0; 17GF, 13GA)
Phoenix Jr. Coyotes (3-1-0; 22GF, 12GA)
Team Alaska (2-2-0; 11GF, 9GA)
The top three 15O scorers all played for Omaha, with Henry Cooley recording 6-3-0, William Pugliese adding 3-5-8 and Asher Baron contributing 1-6-7. Hardty Huffman was the next-best scorer with 6-1-7 for the Vegas Jr. Golden Knights.
NAPHL T1ER 16U Division
Games in the 16U Division were played at the National Sports Center. There were 30 teams competing in the 16U age group.
CLICK HERE for the NAPHL 16U schedule & results
CLICK HERE for the NAPHL 16U standings
NAPHL T1ER 16U Division Top Teams
Seattle Kraken (4-0-0; 29GF, 6GA)
Connecticut Jr. Rangers (4-0-0; 16G, 5GA)
Team Alaska (4-0-0; 22GF, 5GA)
Phoenix Jr. Coyotes (4-0-0; 19GF, 5GA)
Team North Dakota (4-0-0; 21GF, 14GA)
Omaha Mastery (3-1-0; 30GF, 7GA)
Madison Capitals (3-1-0; 12GF, 7GA)
Philadelphia Little Flyers (3-1-0; 18GF, 8GA)
Omaha’s Blake Kubesa led all 16U scorers with 2-11-13, followed by Nolan Marto of Team North Dakota (6-5-11), Harrison Dana of Omaha (0-9-9), Everett James of the Jr. Coyotes (5-4-9), Brennen Sliva of Omaha (7-2-9) and Mason Skradski of Omaha (3-6-9).
NAPHL T1ER 18U Division
Games in the 18U Division were played at the National Sports Center. There were 34 teams competing in the 18U age group.
CLICK HERE for the NAPHL 18U schedule & results
CLICK HERE for the NAPHL 18U standings
NAPHL T1ER 18U Division Top Teams
Ohio Prospects (4-0-0; 18GF, 7GA)
New Jersey Titans Affiliates (3-1-0, 20GF, 8GA)
Team Illinois (3-1-0; 18GF, 6GA)
MDHL (3-1-0; 19GF, 9GA)
Minnesota Voyageurs (3-0-0; 12GF, 4GA)
Team Alaska (3-1-0; 12GF, 8GA)
Coer d’Alene Academy (3-1-0; 12GF, 10GA)
Queen City Royals (3-1-0; 21GF, 13GA)
Milwaukee Jr. Admirals (3-1-0; 15GF, 10GA)
CarShield (3-1-0; 13GF, 3GA)
Madison Capitols (3-1-0; 14GF, 5GA)
Indiana Elite (3-0-0; 21GF, 11GA
Lincoln Stars (3-1-0; 13GF, 12GA)
Jagger Dalton of the Ohio Prospects and Terrance Levassuer of the Titans Affiliates each had nine points to lead the 18U scoring race. Ronan Redmond of the Queen City Royals had 4-4-8, with Connor Flynn of Philadelphia Hockey Club, Colin Kenney of Queen City and Filippas Pliastos of Indiana recording seven points apiece.
Minnesota Blades Invitational Showcase
In addition to the 14U through 18U teams competing, three 13O teams - Team Wisconsin, Team North Dakota and the Colorado Thunderbirds – also attended the Minnesota Blades Invitational Showcase, which featured nearly 40 teams competing at three greater-Minneapolis rinks across the five age levels.
Some traditional top U.S. youth programs sent teams to the tournament, including the St. Louis AAA Blues, Chicago Reapers, Chicago Mission, Northstar Academy Knights, Team Wisconsin, Honeybaked, Atlantic Hockey Academy, Anaheim Jr. Ducks, Sioux Falls Power, Minnesota Lakers, Colorado Thunderbirds, Indiana Elite, Los Angeles Jr. Kings, Team Illinois Windy City Storm.
Running from Thursday, Sept. 25 through Sunday, Sept. 28, showcase games played at Brooklyn Park Community Center and Richfield Ice Center should be available for on-demand viewing via LiveBarn. The event featured the two 13O teams, six 14U teams, 11 15O teams, 11 16U teams and nine 18U teams.
CLICK HERE for links to the Blades Showcase schedules, scores, standings & stats
Minnesota Blades Showcase 13O Teams
Team Wisconsin (1-1-1; 11GF, 10GA)
Colorado Thunderbirds (1-2-1; 11GF, 18GA)
Team North Dakota (1-0-0; 7GA, 1GA)
Minnesota Blades Showcase 14U Top Teams
Windy City Storm (3-0-0; 16GF, 8GA)
Team Wisconsin (3-2-0; 19GF, 12GA)
Chicago Reapers (2-1-0; 10GF, 3GA)
St. Louis AAA Blues (2-2-0; 11GF, 9GA)
Minnesota Blades Showcase 15O Top Teams
LA Jr. Kings (4-0-0; 14GF, 7GA)
Chicago Mission (3-1-0; 19GF, 6GA)
St. Louis AAA Blues (3-1-0; 12GF, 7GA)
Team Wisconsin (2-2-0; 11GF, 8GA)
Sioux Falls Power (2-2-0; 14GF, 14GA)
Chicago Reapers (2-1-0; 11GF, 10GA)
Team Illinois (2-2-0; 13GF, 14GA)
Colorado Thunderbirds (2-2-0; 12GF, 16GA)
Minnesota Blades Showcase 16U Top Teams
Chicago Reapers (4-0-0; 23GF, 10GA)
Anaheim Jr. Ducks (3-0-1); 12GF, 8GA)
St. Louis AAA Blues (3-1-0); 15GF, 7GA)
Chicago Mission (3-1-0); 15GF, 9GA)
Minnesota Blades Showcase 18U Top Teams
Northstar Knights (3-0-0; 10GF, 3GA)
Atlantic Coast Academy (3-1-0; 17GF, 11GA)
Sioux FallS Power (3-1-0; 18GF, 13GA)
Chicago Reapers (2-2-0; 11GF, 13GA)
Florida Alliance (2-2-0; 11GF, 13GA)
St. Louis AAA Blues (9GF, 11GA)
Northeast Pack 16/18U Showcase Weekend
After the NE Pack’s 14U and 15O teams opened play a few weeks ago in Rhode Island, Mount St. Charles also hosted opening weekend for the 16U and 18U sides Sept. 26-28.
The Northeast Pack Hockey League is comprised of six youth hockey organizations from the Northeast and Little Caesars, which joined at the 18U level for 2025-26, from the Midwest. Founded in 2019, the league features seven youth hockey organizations that share a vision for player-focused development and are consistently among the top youth hockey organizations in the country.
Providing exposure and a high level of competition, the NE Pack has enjoyed great success sending players on to compete at the Canadian Major Junior, USHL, NAHL and NCAA levels, and member organizations routinely contend for USA Hockey national championships.
NE Pack 16U Competing Teams
#7 Woodbridge Wolfpack (2-1-0; 10GF, 5GA)
#21 Mount St. Charles (2-1-0; 12GF, 9GA)
#16 Pittsburgh Penguins Elite (0-3-0; 6GF, 15GA)
#14 New Jersey Rockets (1-2-0; 13GF, 14GA)
#10 Bishop Kearney Selects (3-0-0; 11GF, 7GA)
#47 Mid-Fairfield Rangers (1-2-0; 10GF, 12GA)
NE Pack 18U Competing Teams
#53 Mount St. Charles (3-0-0; 12GF, 6GA)
#23 Pittsburgh Penguins Elite (0-3-0; 5GF, 14GA)
#5 New Jersey Rockets (1-1-0; 7GF, 3GA)
#42 Bishop Kearney Selects (3-0-0; 11GF, 5GA)
#32 Little Caesars (0-3-0; 6GF, 13GA)
Woodbridge Wolfpack (1-1-0; 3GF, 3GA)
CLICK HERE for the complete NE Pack 16/18U schedule
CLICK HERE for links to all NE Pack schedules, scores, standings & stats
Canadian Crown Prep U18 Tournament
Featuring eight top U18 AAA Boys teams from Western Canada, the Canadian Crown Tournament ran Thursday, Sept. 25, through Sunday, Sept. 28.
The tournament’s first two days featured a full slate of round-robin competition, with all teams playing three times to determine playoff seeding. After two days of round-robin play, the spotlight shifted to the playoffs Saturday, Sept. 27.
Championship and consolation semifinals took place Saturday, with the Bronze Medal Game played Sunday at 11;45 a.m. ET, followed by the Gold Medal Game at 2:15 p.m.
Games were played at the Zender and Fisher arenas in Devon, Alberta, and can be viewed via webstream by CLICKING HERE.
Acropolis Homes Pool
Northern Alberta Xtreme (4-1-0; 25GF, 8GA)
Ft. Saskatchewan Rangers (4-1-0; 18GF, 9GA)
Red Deer Optimist Chiefs (1-3-0; 15GF, 17GA)
Edmonton Jr. Oilers Orange (0-4-0; 4GF, 18GA)
The Coffee Shop in Deon Pool
Calgary International Hockey Academy (3-2-0; 22GF, 18GA)
Edmonton Jr. Oilers Blue (3-2-0; 14GF, 17GA)
Vancouver NW Hawks (1-4-0; 15GF, 24GA)
Lloydminster Lancers (3-2-0; 17GF, 18GA)
CLICK HERE for the Canadian Crown Standings
CLICK HERE for Canadian Crown Game Results
CLICK HERE for Canadian Crown Team Rosters & Stats
Gold Medal Game
NAX rolled through the tournament with a 4-1-0 record, capturing the gold medal with a 6-0 victory against Edmonton Jr. Oilers Blue. The Xtreme scored three times in the opening period of the final contest and cruised to the title with six different players scoring. Brady Ondrus, Easton Arndt, Luka Samu, Ahmad Fayad, Joel Ngandu and Easton Doran each tallied once for the champs, with goalie Karter Gibson recording the 23-save shutout. NAX’s lone setback was a 3-1 decision against Fort Saskatchewan on the tournament’s opening day.
Bronze Medal Game
Fort Saskatchewan captured the bronze medal with a 4-1 victory over CIHA. Jacob Harkness, Emile Plourde, Jeremy Moellenbeck and Emmett Jones each scored once for the Rangers, with Harkness adding a pair of assists. Winning goalie Kayd Mercier made 35 saves.
Easton Arndt and Ahmad Fayad of NAX each potted six goals to lead all players, while Arndt’s nine points placed him a point ahead of teammate Easton Doran in the overall scoring race.
