Dual Advancement Path helps NA3HL thrive in 2023
The North American 3 Hockey League (NA3HL) is pleased to announce that it is has once again set a new standard for player advancement to the North American Hockey League (NAHL) thanks to some record-setting numbers on the heels of the completion of the 2023 NAHL Entry Draft, which took place on Wednesday, June 14th.
Not only did 35 NA3HL players sign a tender to play in the NAHL for the upcoming 2023-24 season, but 28 more players were selected in the 2023 NAHL Entry Draft.
No other league has had more movement and advanced more players onto play in the NAHL than the NA3HL. Thanks to additional and enhanced initiatives that have been in place for the past few years in cooperation with the NAHL, more players from the NA3HL play, practice, and earn NCAA Division I scholarships with the NAHL than any other league.
“Our first priority is doing the right things for the players, so they have advancement success. The NA3HL enjoys all the same events that the NAHL does and has great owners and coaches. We all share in the common mission of creating an enhanced level of play and competition that is focused on a player’s development and advancement. Not only are players advancing to college hockey, but there is a record amount of advancement to the NAHL, which creates a true dual advancement path,” said NAHL Commissioner and President Mark Frankenfeld. “The NA3HL is turning into a destination league because of this dual advancement path and the fact that the college commitments and NAHL tender and draft picks continue to increase for NA3HL players is further proof that the NA3HL is a premier place to play.”
The NA3HL not only saw 63 of its players tendered or drafted by NAHL teams, but over 60+ NA3HL alumni played in the NAHL this past season. The NA3HL also saw seven current or former players make NCAA Division 1 commitments this past season.
The NA3HL is the only USA Hockey-certified Tier III junior hockey league and the only league that has an exclusive NAHL tendering system available only to NA3HL players. The tendering and draft pick process selections play a big part in the eventual advancement of players each season.
As part of the enhanced initiatives that have now been in place for multiple seasons, all NAHL teams engaged and worked in cooperation with NA3HL teams for increased access to players, including allowing NA3HL players to practice with NAHL teams during the season. The program created additional dialogue between NAHL and NA3HL teams to find prospects and provide them an in-season opportunity for NAHL experience and evaluation. Its direct benefits are resulted in one-of-a-kind opportunities not found anywhere else in USA Hockey-sanctioned junior hockey.
The NA3HL also continues to make its mark and is one of the leaders in junior hockey with the advancement of players onto the NCAA. So far in 2023, the NA3HL has over 100+ college commitments, with over half of those being NCAA commitments. In addition, over 300 former NA3HL players are currently playing in the NCAA, and 28 former NA3HL are currently playing NCAA Division I hockey.
Click here for a list of 2022-23 NA3HL tenders
Click here for the 2023 NAHL Entry Draft results
NA3HL Players selected in the 2023 NAHL Entry Draft
Luke McCarthy, F, Willmar WarHawks (Bismarck Bobcats, Round 3, #79)
Jace Johnson, F, Gillette Wild (Aberdeen Wings, Round 3, #83)
Michael Marquez, F, El Paso Rhinos (Anchorage Wolverines, Round 4, #110)
Erik Henrborn, F, Rochester Grizzlies (Austin Bruins, Round 4, #122)
Roman Winicki, F, Danbury Jr. Hat Tricks (El Paso Rhinos, Round 5, #132)
Anthony O’Neal, F, Atlanta Capitals (Fairbanks Ice Dogs, Round 5, #139)
Hayden DeMars, F, Alexandria Blizzard (Odessa Jackalopes, Round 5, #141)
Finnigan Greeley, D, Granite City Lumberjacks (Kenai River Brown Bears, Round 5, #149)
Jameson Klein, D, New Mexico Ice Wolves (Shreveport Mudbugs, Round 5, #156)
Jameson O’Flynn, D, Alexandria Blizzard (Chippewa Steel, Round 5, #157)
Bryce Stensrud, F, Oregon Tradesmen (Janesville Jets, Round 7, #199)
Harlan Wojtusik, F, Helena Bighorns (Philadelphia Rebels, Round 7, #201)
Hayden Siegel, F, Mason City Toros (North Iowa Bulls, Round 7, #202)
Alec Waller, D, Gillette Wild (Maine Nordiques, Round 7, #214)
Josef Lalli, D, Gillette Wild (Maryland Black Bears, Round 7, #223)
Jordan Newpower, F, Mason City Toros (Oklahoma Warriors, Round 8, #256)
Nick Lakic, F, Rochester Grizzlies (Minot Minotauros, Round 9, #272)
Jackson Ekblad, D, Alexandria Blizzard (St. Cloud Norsemen, Round 9, #273)
Phil Feinberg, F, Northeast Generals (Northeast Generals, Round 9, #274)
Spencer Wilkinson, F, Bozeman Icedogs (Wisconsin Windigo, Round 9, #285)
Isaac Baker, D, Wausau Cyclones (Springfield Jr. Blues, Round 10, #296)
McCarthy Reed, D, Northeast Generals (Anchorage Wolverines, Round 10, #302)
Spencer Lund, D, New Mexico Ice Wolves (New Mexico Ice Wolves, Round 10, #311)
Ryan Lehet, G, Granite City Lumberjacks (Johnstown Tomahawks, Round 11, #332)
Blaise Schutt, F, Willmar WarHawks (Amarillo Wranglers, Round 11, #344)
Beau Kralovec, F, Texas Brahmas (Lone Star Brahmas, Round 13, #414)
Makhai Sparks, F, Sheridan Hawks (Minnesota Wilderness, Round 15, #473)
Daniel Antal, G, New Jersey Titans (New Jersey Titans, Round 15, #475)
