Details are just starting to emerge from Orlando Florida as they relate to proposed expansion of the NAHL brand to the Eastern United States.
Multiple sources are now reporting that the NAHL move east is taking place. The move, according to sources appears to be structured in a way to absorb Eastern Junior Hockey League franchises. The absorbtion is said to begin with EJHL teams becoming affiliate members of the NAHL brand starting in the 2013-2014 season.
As affiliate members of the NAHL family, these teams would presumably fall under the control and management of the NAHL. There is precident for this as the GLJHL teams became affiliate teams of the Minnesotta Junior Hockey League.
In 2014-2015 affiliate member teams would then be able to become full members of the NAHL at one level or another.
In related news it looks as though the affiliate NAHL teams will be increased by two. One or more teams will be leaving the Metropolitan Junior Hockey League and/or the Atlantic Junior Hockey League for the EJHL.
In other related news, rumors are beginning to surface that one team located on the east coast has been told that they will no longer be able to play at the junior level after this season. The team will be allowed to play at the U-18 level according to sources.
Other unconfirmed reports have the five teams that attempted to form the USPHL now looking for a league to play in.
We will continue to update this story as it develops.
