Author Topic: NDL Speculation Thread  (Read 2515 times)

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NDL Speculation Thread
Topic: January 24, 2026, 09:03:17 PM
How many teams will NJ have, what clubs, where will they travel to, and what will the cost be… Just to start…
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Reply #1:
 January 25, 2026, 10:26:22 PM
politics will be very important with regards to allocation, best guess is Atlantic District has 4-6 teams (36 total across USA)

Jr Flyers
Rockets
Woodbridge
Avs
PHC?

would be the likely first group - very heavy North Jersey - perhaps PHC gets a look at Southern NJ team

old guard like NJ Cols, NJ Devils, Titans, Mercer, VFMM will be left behind
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Reply #2:
 January 26, 2026, 08:53:48 AM
Look to the orgs that consistently get players on the PeeWee Quebec team year after year, regardless of skill.  Don't count out Devils they are very politically connected. 
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Reply #3:
 January 26, 2026, 09:47:45 AM
Any team that is not tied in to blackbear will have a heavy leg up. I think its safe to say there wont be any BB teams getting in to this.
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Reply #4:
 January 26, 2026, 10:35:46 AM
I would imagine the league will start with fewer teams and asses the impact annually.  This first round will be about how politically connected the clubs are to USAH.  It will be interesting to see the impact on t1 and t2 teams
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Reply #5:
 January 26, 2026, 12:59:12 PM
Clubs with teams cant have Tier 1 teams at 18u and 16u. This will hurt those orgs Tier 1 teams as kids may leave because they wont make NDT team. Remember NDT teams can take players out of district and this is for elite players. Kids may leave a Tier 1 org at 13 if no path to NDT team. I think no teams will go after NDT due to overall negative affect on Tier 1 program.
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Reply #6:
 January 26, 2026, 10:45:16 PM
Devs have not been relevant since early 2000's - Director making $250k+ for mediocre T1
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Reply #7:
 January 27, 2026, 04:12:41 PM
I think they can have both T1 & ND teams. Or atleast that’s what it sounds like.. Unsure how T1 teams wont be watered down at that point though
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Reply #8:
 January 27, 2026, 05:57:46 PM
I think they can have both T1 & ND teams. Or atleast that’s what it sounds like.. Unsure how T1 teams wont be watered down at that point though

The ND teams will be 15u (mix 14 & 15) and 17U (mix 16 &17). Once you have ND 15U and 17U teams you are not permitted to field Tier 1 teams at 15U, 16U, or 18U. the 2 ages of ND teams take precedent. So you will only have Tier 1 teams up to 14U. So if a 14U kid does not want to or is not good enough to make your ND team, they have no tier 1 path at the ND rink. Most of these kids will leave your rink after 12U to go to a place they have a Tier 1 path through 18U. I don't think rinks will give up these ages and apply for an ND team. On top of limited Tier 1 teams after 14U, USAHockey will control the roster selection and the league. So rinks will not have the ability to pick their favorites for ND teams. PHC and JRF who now control the AAHA for PWQ tryouts will not stand for this. They won't be able to stack ND teams with kids that don't belong like they do for PWQ!
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Reply #9:
 January 27, 2026, 07:12:29 PM
This is absolutely false. USA hockey will not pick rosters.
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