Northern Premier Hockey League

ARNPRIOR, Ont. — Three weeks without a game did not seem to bother Ryan Spooner for very long. The former NHL forward made his NPHL debut Saturday night at the Nick Smith Centre and immediately became part of the story, recording a goal and three assists as the Arnprior Rivermen defeated the Akwesasne Wild 5 to 3. Spooner had a hand in four of Arnprior’s five goals in his first senior hockey appearance, helping the Rivermen improve to 3 0 to begin the season. Akwesasne fell to 0 2. For Arnprior, it was another win. For the NPHL, it was also the first look at what a player with 325 games of NHL experience can bring to senior hockey. And before the puck even dropped, Spooner made it clear why he wanted to be there. Three Weeks Off, Then Four Points Speaking with NPHL Insider Ethan Robinson before the game, Spooner admitted there might be some rust. “I feel good. I haven’t played in three weeks, so I’m going to get my legs back and just try to move,” Spooner said. Apparently, the legs came back quickly enough. One goal, three assists, four points. There are plenty of adjustments that come with senior hockey. Different teammates, different systems, different buildings and a different rhythm than the professional game. Talent still travels. Spooner did not need a long introduction to make an impact for Arnprior. From The NHL To A Saturday Night In Arnprior The setting is part of what makes senior hockey so interesting. Spooner played 325 NHL regular season games, recording 48 goals and 119 assists for 167 points. He spent the majority of his NHL career with Boston and also played for the New York Rangers, Edmonton Oilers and Vancouver Canucks. His career later took him overseas, with stops in the KHL, Switzerland and Slovakia. Earlier this month, Spooner stepped away from professional hockey after playing five games for HK Dukla Trencin in Slovakia. Professional hockey may be finished, playing hockey clearly is not. A few weeks later, he was pulling on an Arnprior Rivermen sweater at the Nick Smith Centre. That is senior hockey. Spooner Still Has Plenty Of Hockey In Him Robinson asked Spooner before the game what brought him to the Rivermen after such a long professional career. The answer was not complicated. “It’s going to be fun,” Spooner said. “I figured it’s a way to kind of still play and get out of the house and stuff, and I still feel like I can play, so it’s going to be exciting.” The last part stood out. He still feels like he can play. Saturday provided some evidence. Spooner did not arrive in Arnprior simply as a recognizable name for a poster or a ticket promotion. He stepped into the lineup and contributed to four of the five goals in a two goal victory. That changes the conversation. A former NHL player joining a senior team creates attention, a former NHL player producing four points in his first game creates expectations. Plenty Of Memories Before A New Chapter Spooner’s career has taken him through some of the biggest buildings in hockey. When Robinson asked about the memories that still stand out, Spooner went right back to the beginning. “My first NHL game in the Bell Centre, my first goal I scored in New Jersey, four on four,” Spooner said. “Honestly, I’ve played for 14 years. I have so many things that I can say. I’m just blessed that I got to play for that long.” That perspective fits where Spooner is now. He has already played the NHL games, he has already been through trades, professional seasons and years overseas. This chapter does not need to be measured against Boston, New York or Edmonton. It can simply be about playing hockey again. On Saturday night, that meant Arnprior against Akwesasne. Rivermen Remain Perfect Spooner’s debut came at a good time for an Arnprior team already off to a strong start. The Rivermen entered Saturday unbeaten and left the Nick Smith Centre the same way. The 5 to 3 victory moves Arnprior to 3 0 and six points, level with Smiths Falls at the top of the early NPHL Capital standings. Arnprior had already opened its home schedule with a 7 to 3 victory over Madawaska Valley before adding another win ahead of Saturday’s matchup. Now Spooner joins the equation. That is not a small addition for a senior hockey club. Arnprior already had reason to believe it could contend. Adding a player with more than 300 NHL games to the lineup gives opponents something else to prepare for. Akwesasne Made Arnprior Earn It The final score also matters. This was not a night where Spooner’s debut turned into a runaway. Akwesasne scored three times and stayed close enough to keep Arnprior working. That is probably useful for the Rivermen. Senior hockey is not supposed to become an exhibition simply because a familiar name joins the lineup. There are experienced players throughout the NPHL. There are teams built to win. There are players with professional, major junior and high level university backgrounds scattered across rosters. Spooner’s resume may be one of the strongest in the league. He still has to play the games, Saturday was the first one. He responded with four points. Senior Hockey Gets Another Name People Know The NPHL has continued to attract players with increasingly recognizable hockey backgrounds. For the league, Spooner is another example of what senior hockey can offer. Players do not necessarily have to choose between the professional game and never playing meaningful hockey again. There is something in between. There is a Saturday night at the local rink, there are teammates who still want to compete, there are fans close to the glass, there are standings, rivalries and playoff races, and there is still a puck to chase. Spooner told Robinson he wanted a way to keep playing. Arnprior was happy to provide one. OHD Takeaway Ryan Spooner did not need long to introduce himself to the NPHL. A goal and three assists in his first game helped Arnprior beat Akwesasne 5 to 3 and improve to 3 0. But the more interesting part of Saturday may be why he was there in the first place. After 14 years of professional hockey and 325 NHL games, Spooner told Ethan Robinson that he still feels like he can play and wanted a way to stay in the game. Senior hockey gave him that opportunity. Four points later, the rest of the NPHL has a pretty good idea of what Arnprior just added. Author: Kurtis Potter

PARTNERSHIP ANNOUNCEMENT The Northern Premier Hockey League is pleased to announce a new partnership with Trademark Grin Productions, led by Bill Newman, who will join the NPHL as Video Production Coordinator. Bill is already a familiar voice across the league as the play-by-play broadcaster for the County Royals, where he has helped deliver strong game coverage and built a trusted presence in the broadcast booth. He also brings experience from his work with the USPHL’s Kingston Wranglers, along with a broader background in hockey broadcasting and production. That experience includes helping establish a league broadcasting service and calling a national championship in 2022. Bill’s connection to the NPHL goes back beyond broadcasting. He previously served as a league official before a medical situation ended his time on the ice. His passion for the game continued, leading him into broadcasting and now into a larger production role with the league. As the NPHL continues to invest in video, media, and league-wide content, this partnership adds another important piece to the league’s growth. Please join us in welcoming Bill Newman and Trademark Grin Productions to the NPHL video team. #NPHL #NorthernPremierHockeyLeague #TrademarkGrinProductions #BillNewman #HockeyBroadcasting

INSIDE THE NPHL: PLAYER SAFETY The NPHL is raising the standard for player safety and accountability across both branches for the 2026–27 season. The identity of the league will not change. NPHL hockey will remain fast, physical and highly competitive. Clean body contact, intensity and emotion are part of the game. Reckless, dangerous and undisciplined play is not. Standardized Discipline Beginning this season, suspensions will be standardized based on the type and severity of the infraction. Comparable incidents will receive comparable discipline, regardless of the player, team or branch involved. The same standards will apply throughout the Capital and Metropolitan branches. This approach is designed to eliminate inconsistency, reduce uncertainty and ensure every organization understands the consequences of dangerous conduct. Clear Review Process When supplementary discipline is issued, the player and organization will have two options: Accept the ruling Request a formal review The review process will focus on the incident, the available evidence and the applicable disciplinary standard. It is not an opportunity to delay enforcement or avoid accountability. Accountability at Every Level Player safety is a shared responsibility. Players are responsible for controlling their actions. Coaches and organizations are responsible for establishing the expectations within their teams. The league is responsible for applying its standards firmly and consistently. The objective is simple: Protect our players Establish consistent discipline Create a clear review process Hold every player accountable Preserve the physical identity of NPHL hockey There will be no selective enforcement. No confusion surrounding the process. No escaping responsibility for dangerous actions on the ice. Physical hockey stays. Dangerous and undisciplined hockey gets addressed. Our League. Our Home. Our Standard.