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.
