Norpac

[royals19 0]

Just looking for opinions on the level of play in the norpac compared to other jr a leagues and midget/high school hockey

[lampliter87 8]

Weaker than the EJHL and AJHL but probably stronger than the WSHL and CSHL. Big strike against it is the lack of exposure to NCAA schools if that is your goal.

[royals19 0]

Any comparison to canadian jr a or midget AAA. I'm canadian

[kovyperron5727 0]

Just looking for opinions on the level of play in the norpac compared to other jr a leagues and midget/high school hockey

A team in that league offered me a tryout last year. It depends on the team really, I'd say it's close if not a little below Midget AAA and definetly not up to Canadian Jr. A. The top teams are good, but the bottom dwellers are far behind and pretty much made up of Midget AA, A and some bantam players.

I have to disagree with lamplighter in that I'd say the CSHL is a better league, the Jr.Blues have a great program that has exposed guys to the USHL and college hockey.

[starsfan71 9]

3 Midget Minor AAA kids at my school got offers for tryouts and decided not to even consider them. I would also say it is weaker than the CSHL, but then again I don't play Junior hockey. At least not right now.

[Krev 86]

I myself might end up in Norpac. It's alright for a Tier III league. They occasionally move kids on to College. What teams were you considering? The best two are Seattle and Helena.

[Slapshot9123 0]

I know people that played in both the CSHL and NORPAC and they all said the CSHL is the better of the two.

[Krev 86]

Basically, unless you're playing for the Seattle Totems or the Helena Bighorns, NORPAC isn't going to do much for you.

[kovyperron5727 0]

Basically, unless you're playing for the Seattle Totems or the Helena Bighorns, NORPAC isn't going to do much for you.

Helena is a solid team, one kid I played against played for them, and I think is playing D3 now. Meanwhile the other teams are pretty weak. The team that offered me a tryout, Rogue Valley(Southern Oregon) single season record for most wins was 8 in an entire season so it really gives you an idea of how out of whack that league is.

[Krev 86]

Helena is a solid team, one kid I played against played for them, and I think is playing D3 now. Meanwhile the other teams are pretty weak. The team that offered me a tryout, Rogue Valley(Southern Oregon) single season record for most wins was 8 in an entire season so it really gives you an idea of how out of whack that league is.

There's a reason NORPAC used to be a Jr. B league. That right there is a prime example.

[royals19 0]

I was looking at Missoula

[Krev 86]

Meh. Better off elsewhere if you have talent to play elsewhere.

[Bnatural 0]

I never played juniors, but there are a handfull of guys I play with now (respectable ACHA D2 team) that played their junior hockey for the Yellowstone quake.

[Krev 86]

If you're looking to come out West for Junior hockey in the US, the three teams that are worth your while are the Seattle Totems (Norpac - Camp is this weekend), Helena Bighorns (Norpac - Don't know when their camp is), and the Wenatchee Wild (NAHL - Camp is next weekend, I'll be there).

Other than that, not a whole lot. BCHL teams have already had their tryouts. Main camps start up in August.

[royals19 0]

Thats the thing, i'm from calgary and im only 16 i went to some ajhl spring camps (alberta not atlantic) and i have some main camp offers, im in tough to make the teams though, and im wondering if it would be beneficial to play norpac this year and move up.

[Krev 86]

As a 16 year old in Canada, stay with your AAA teams for another year, then make the jump up to BCHL or your other respective Junior leagues. That's just my take on it though.

[lampliter87 8]

Agreed, if you play for/have the opportunity to play for a good AAA program stay with that for another year.

[Hradsky 1]

As a 16 year old in Canada, stay with your AAA teams for another year, then make the jump up to BCHL or your other respective Junior leagues. That's just my take on it though.

Agreed, if you play for/have the opportunity to play for a good AAA program stay with that for another year.

Perhaps cost is an issue?

[royals19 0]

is there many guys that come out of minor midget AAA and do well in the norpac?

[kovyperron5727 0]

Thats the thing, i'm from calgary and im only 16 i went to some ajhl spring camps (alberta not atlantic) and i have some main camp offers, im in tough to make the teams though, and im wondering if it would be beneficial to play norpac this year and move up.

No, Norpac isn't worth your while then. Sounds like your a good player, so if I were you I'd play Midget AAA if you don't crack an AJHL roster this year.

[royals19 0]

And cost isnt an issue, both options would be fairly close in price. Im just trying to set myself up for the best possible future in hockey

[kovyperron5727 0]

is there many guys that come out of minor midget AAA and do well in the norpac?

Ya, it's a mix of Minor/Major AAA and AA, and on the less skilled teams you'll see guys range from Bantam AA/AAA and to Midget A/AA.

[royals19 0]

Thanks alot i appreciate everything.

just one last question now, does anyone have any comparisons or thoughts on nahl hockey, i have a showcase this summer and there will be an nahl scout there, i have heard the level of hockey is slightly below ajhl/bchl standards

[kovyperron5727 0]

Thanks alot i appreciate everything.

just one last question now, does anyone have any comparisons or thoughts on nahl hockey, i have a showcase this summer and there will be an nahl scout there, i have heard the level of hockey is slightly below ajhl/bchl standards

The NAHL imo is an underated league, I'd say it's slightly below BCHL but damn close if not at AJHL. Go on the NAHL website, tons of guys haved moved on to D1, OHL, and it's a great feeder league for the USHL. Some guys have even got drafted after having good seasons in that league so make sure to have a good showing at that showcase. Good luck!

[Krev 86]

As far as setting yourself up for a future in hockey as a 16/17/18 year old:

Midget AAA: Do it.

NORPAC: Don't do it.

NAHL: Do it.

USHL: Do it.

BCHL: Do it.

AJHL: Do it.