History of the North Central Hockey League

The concept of a senior hockey league in the area unfolded in the fall/winter of 1994 when a number of interested communities formed teams and played a few exhibition games to determine overall interest. As interest appeared to be high, a group headed by George Vanberg of Whitecourt set up a series of organizational meetings in Whitecourt during the summer of 1995.  Those at the table for these meetings were: Whitecourt - George Vanberg, Diane Dickson, Ian Martinot, Edson - Noel Perrin, Brad Templeton, Fox Creek - Kirk Holtet, Brad Peavoy,  Slave Lake - Grant Drewniak, Swan Hills - Darren Myshak, Hinton, Mayerthorpe Brad Baltimore, and Sangudo.  At these meetings, George Vanberg was elected President and the by-laws of the new league were drafted. When the time came to decide on a name for the new league, the consensus was that North Central would be appropriate as the two previous leagues in the area had been the Northwest Hockey League and the Central Hockey League.  The league was registered with Hockey Alberta/Hockey Canada as Senior A.  After the schedule for the inaugural season had been drawn up, Sangudo unexpectedly dropped out.  Vanberg had already been contacted by a group from Athabasca (after the organizational meetings) who were very interested in joining the league, so at the last minute, they were voted into the league in time for the 1995--96 season.

The league has had four Presidents to date:

George Vanberg 1995-2006 and 2009-2015.

Ken McCarthy 2007-2008 (Vice President 2006)

Jerry Muise 2016-2023 (Vice President 2010-2015, and again 2023-2024)

Sam Maupin 2023-2024 (Vice President 2016-2023)

Jerry Muise 2024

The league has fluctuated between 4 (2001) and 12 (2016) teams.  The league's championship trophy was named the Vanberg Cup in 2003, a tribute to its long standing President and league founder, George Vanberg.  There was a period where Vanberg and Vice President Jerry Muise were also elected as President/Vice President of the Chinook Hockey League. After Vanberg stepped down in 2015, Muise and Sam Maupin continued to manage both leagues until Muise resigned as President in the fall of 2018.  Muise and Maupin were also elected as President and Vice President of the Ranchland Hockey League for a couple of seasons 2018, 2019.  In 2015, Hockey Alberta designated the league as Senior AA.

The league expanded to 12 teams (the new league high) for the 2015-2016 season when they admitted 4 teams from the Battle River League.  Daysland had applied to join the NCHL, and with the Battle River League disbanding, the NCHL also brought on the Big Valley Oil Kings, Bonnyville Pontiacs, Tofield Satellites as well as the Daysland North Stars.

The league announced their first ever league sponsor in 2023-24 when Unparalleled Apparel from Calgary came on board to supply All Star hoodies and Championship hats as well as league apparel and the league's new circle logo.

In 2024, Thinkwerx Creative out of Bonnyville was announced as the league's second sponsor.  Thinkwerx supplied the league's first logo change in 25 years as well as their 25 year anniversary sweater patches.  They are also designingl the league's upcoming 30 year anniversary helmet stickers and logo

Time Line of Teams

Charter Teams

Athabasca Aces (1995-1998)
Edson Ice (1995-2004) and (2005-2017)
Fox Creek Bandits (1995-1999) and (2000-2009)
Hinton Heat (1995-2012) 2X NCHL Champs
Mayerthorpe Hitmen (1995-1997)
Slave Lake Winterhawks (1995-2012) and 2013-2017) 6X NCHL Champs, Senior A Prov Champs 2005
Swan Hills Knights (1995-1998)
Whitecourt Cats (1995-2003)

Sequential Addition of Teams

Grande Cache Rockies (1997-2000) 1X NCHL Champs
Drayton Valley Wildcats (1997-1999), (2004-2014), (2015-2016) 4X NCHL Champs, Provincial Senior B Champs 1999, 2003 
Westlock Wolfpack (1998-2000) and (2005-2006) Senior A Prov Champs 2000
Jasper Wolves (2003-2010)
Onoway Ice Dogs (2005-2011) 2X NCHL Champs
Lamont Bruins (2005-2009) 2X NCHL Champs
Legal Vipers (2006-2012)
Athabasca Aces (2008-2014)
Rocky (Mountain House) Rams (2010-2017)
Devon Barons (2012-present) 2X NCHL Champs
Whitecourt Wild (2013-2019)
Westlock Warriors (2013-present) 1X NCHL Champs
Morinville Kings (2013-present) 1X NCHL Champs, Senior A Prov Champs 2014, Senior AA Prov Champs 2019
Big Valley Oil Kings (2015-2016)
Daysland North Stars (2015-2020) 3X NCHL Champs, Senior AA Prov Champs 2016
Tofield Satellites (2015-2016)
Bonnyville Sr Pontiacs (2015-present) Senior AA Prov Champs 2018
Eckville Eagles (2016-2019)
Red Deer Rustlers (2018-present)
Sylvan Lake Pirates (2018-2019)
Fort Saskatchewan Chiefs (2019-2023)
Blackfalds Wranglers (2019-2020)
Lacombe Generals (2019-present) 2X NCHL Champs, Senior AA Prov Champs 2022
Camrose Crush (2021-2023) 1X NCHL Champs
Camrose Bruins (2023-present)
Wetaskiwin Longhorns (2023-present)
Stony Plain Eagles (2024)
Innisfail Eagles (2024)


In the past few seasons, we have had a number of ex-NHL'ers in the league

Marty Sonnenberg (Wetaskiwin) - Pittsburg, Calgary
Peter Vandermeer (Red Deer) - Phoenix
Lance Ward (Red Deer) - Florida, Anaheim
Brinson Pasichnuk (Bonnyville) - San Jose
Bryce Van Brabant (Westlock) - Calgary
Steve MacIntyre (Wetaskiwin) - Edmonton, Florida, Pittsburg

The following is an article written by then President George Vanberg on the occasion of the league's 20th Anniversary season.

20 YEARS  OF NORTH CENTRAL HOCKEY LEAGUE

1994-1995 to 2014-2015

By George Vanberg

The 2014-2015 season marks the 20th year of the NCHL. The NCHL originated from an interest group who wanted to see Senior Hockey back in the north central area of Alberta

There were a few exhibiton games organized in the winter of 1994. From those exhibition games and two 8 hour meetings, the NCHL was born.

The individuals that can be considered the founders of the NCHL in 1994 were:  George Vanberg (Whitecourt - President), Noel Perrin (Edson Ice), Kirk Holtet (Fox Creek Bandits), Grant Drewniak (Slave Lake Winterhawks), Diane Dickson (Whitecourt Cats) and Darren Myshak (Swan Hills Knights).

1994-1995 President and current 2014-2015 President George Vanberg notes:

"Who knew 20 years ago sitting in 8 hour meetings in Whitecourt what this would become. I have seen a lot of hockey over the past 20 years. I've seen the game develop from the much tougher game of 1994 to the faster game of 2014".

"I didn't really think about how long I would be involved when I accepted the positon of President in 1994. I always thought at some point in time I may look towards the Senior Chair position with Hockey Alberta. But, there is still lot's to do for senior hockey at the league level".

"Last season myself and Vice-President Jerry Muise accepted managing the AAA Chinook Hockey League as well as the NCHL. This places us in a unique situation to have a greater and positive impact on Senior Hockey in Alberta".

"I have to say that I have enjoyed the last 20 years and I am committed to the continuation and growth of the NCHL".

"I hope you enjoy the hockey as you watch your home town boys put it all on the ice for your enjoyment".

"The best to all".

"In addition, often the executive of the league is formally given credit, but credit is more so due to the teams that operate each and very season. They are what the league is about and they are the ones living this game in and game out".

"Thank you for your support to your local teams."