NAHA
NORTH AMERICAN HOCKEY ASSOCIATION
The North American Hockey Association, born in 1920, is a premier hockey league of North America. Beginning with 8 teams in 1920 and expanding up to 32 by 2026, NAHA is a rich fantasy hockey universe, including professional, college, junior, and women’s hockey leagues.
About NAHA
Our story begins with two rich business men in 1918 who meet in New York City. American Walter May, 56, of Cambridge, MA and Canadian Ronald Kennedy, 51, of Halifax, NS meet in the shadow of 15 Park Row to discuss plans to expand professional hockey across the United States and Canada. Though an ambitious project for the time, the pair of businessmen were able to round up a small group of initial investors to fund and serve as fundamental members of the league board.
Despite being right before the beginning of the Great Depression, Kennedy and May were able to leverage extreme fortunes into their passion, NAHA. As a result, the pair were able to prop up their league in a way in which it was able to withstand financial ruin during the first 10 years of league inception. Each team owner, their coaching staff, and a handful of other necessary personnel are essentially covered by the two independently wealthy owners of the league.
The ORIGINAL EIGHT TEAMS
On January 16th 1920, Kennedy, May, and eight other men formally create the North American Hockey Association which would consist of 8 original teams.
Eventually, the league will expand up to 32 teams.
Quebec Narval
Founded by Olivier Langlois in 1918.
Toronto Tigers
Founded by John Anderson in 1918.
Boston Brigade
Founded by Steven Shanahan in 1919.
New York Griffins
Founded by Clark Venable in 1919.
Montreal Marins
Founded by Yvon Boutot in 1919.
Chicago Snowhawks
Founded by Ethan Park in 1919.
Sault Ste. Marie Moose
Founded by Maxwell Georges in 1920.
Detroit Ducks
Founded by Gary Flowers in 1920.
The Kennedy Cup: What They're fighting for
The ultimate prize in hockey is the Kennedy Cup. Originally an unofficial trophy awarded to the best ice hockey team in early North American proto-leagues, the Kennedy Cup was renamed in 1920, following the tragic death of NAHA’s co-founder, Ronald Kennedy.
To win the Kennedy Cup, teams must withstand the regular season plus the entirety of the playoffs in order to win the Cup.
Seasons & Eras
The original teams agreed to host the innagural NAHA season in 1920. The regular season would start in Fall of 1920 and conclude in Spring of 1921, followed by a playoff tournament.
Review each NAHA season’s league docket here.
NAHA’s history can also be broken down into several distinct eras, starting with the Foundational Era.
