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Will the Pelham Prowlers join the North American 3 Hockey League?

March 13, 2025
The North American 3 Hockey League announced that its Board of Governors has approved the membership of the Pelham Prowlers, with the team set to begin play in the 2025-26 season.

The Prowlers are owned by Julia Stafford and will play in the Pelham Civic Complex and Ice Arena, a two-sheet facility with the main arena offering a seating capacity of 4,100.

“We are excited to partner with the NA3HL to bring junior hockey to Pelham Alabama. Our home rink, Pelham Civic Complex & Ice Arena, is home to several collegiate hockey teams and the SPHL Birmingham Bulls. The missing link in this market is junior hockey. Over the years hockey has become more popular in Alabama. However, there are few opportunities for young players who want to pursue collegiate scholarships or professional hockey careers in the South. Our hope is to bridge that gap with the Pelham Prowlers,” Stafford said.

The Powlers have appointed Phil Tesoriero as their head coach for the inaugural season. Tesoriero previously served as the assistant captain at Davenport University before embarking on his professional career, where he played five seasons in the Southern Professional Hockey League. After his playing career, he transitioned to coaching, taking on the role of head coach for the University of Alabama's ACHA program for five seasons. 

The season runs from September until the playoffs and Fraser Cup in March.

The NA3HL is the only USA Hockey-sanctioned Tier III Junior league and serves as one of the top training grounds in the country by providing the best coaching, exposure, and developmental vehicles available for student-athletes. The NA3HL advances more players to the NAHL, NCAA, and ACHA than any other junior league of its kind.

Originally formed in the early 1970's as a Junior B-level league known as the Central States Hockey League, the league evolved into the Metro Detroit Junior Hockey League in the early 1980's. The CSHL name was used again from 1994 until 2010. The league was reclassified from Tier III Junior B to Tier III Junior A in the summer of 2007 by USA Hockey. On November 1, 2010, it was announced that the North American Hockey League would take control of the CSHL. At the time of the take over, the league was renamed to the North American 3 Hockey League.

USA Hockey has been properly notified and formal approval is expected at their annual meeting in June.

September 2025

			2025-26                               North American 3 Hockey League
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Champions of the North American 3 Hockey League
Year	Team	Year	Team
2004-05	Columbus Cottonmouths

	Years local team participated

			Teams of the                               North American 3 Hockey League
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	Peoria Mustangs
	Rochester Grizzlies

Contact Gene Crowley
Last update: June 25, 2025