FAQ

What is the Outlaw Championship Tournament?

The Outlaw Championship Tournament is a premier annual senior hockey championship event launching in April 2026. It brings together elite NPHL teams from the Capital & Metropolitan Branches 

Future **championship-caliber teams from other senior leagues across the region.**

The tournament is designed as a post-season showcase of high-level competition, grit, and community-driven hockey.

When and where will the tournament take place?

The inaugural Outlaw Championship Tournament will be held in Smiths Falls, Ontario, from April 24 to May 2, 2026, following the conclusion of league playoffs.

How can fans purchase tickets?

Tickets will be available through the NPHL website. 

See Tickets Link

Who is eligible to participate?

Participation will include:

• Qualified NPHL teams from the Capital & Metropolitan Branches

Is the Outlaw Championship sanctioned by Hockey Canada?

No. The Outlaw Championship Tournament operates independently and is not affiliated with Hockey Canada.

The tournament exists outside the conventional sanctioning system to provide leagues, teams, and players the freedom to compete in a high-level environment built on independence, competition, and respect for the senior game.

Why is it called the “Outlaw” Championship?

The name reflects the spirit of independence that defines the tournament. “Outlaw” represents teams and players who compete on their own terms, outside traditional structures, and who have built their legacy through commitment, resilience, and performance on the ice.

What is at stake for competing teams?

Teams will compete for:

• The Outlaw Cup, awarded to the tournament champion

• A Grand Prize Purse, with details to be announced

• Regional supremacy

This is a competition for legacy, not just trophies.

Who should attend the Outlaw Championship Tournament?

The tournament is built for:

• Senior hockey fans

• Former players and alumni

• Supporters of independent and high-level competition

• Anyone who thrives on playoff-style intensity

Expect elite hockey in a high-stakes environment.

Where can teams or fans get more information?

Further announcements regarding tournament format, participating teams, and prize details will be released through official NPHL channels.

Website, Instagram, Facebook & TSN1200 

What is the purpose of the Outlaw Championship Tournament?

The Outlaw Championship Tournament is designed to establish a premier, province-wide competitive platform within the NPHL. Its purpose is to showcase elite senior hockey talent, reinforce the traditions of NPHL member organizations, and deliver a distinctive, high-level championship experience for players and fans.

How many teams will participate in the tournament?

The inaugural Outlaw Championship will feature 8 teams.

How do teams qualify for the Outlaw Championship?

Teams qualify through a combination of automatic bids and wild card selections, based on regular-season performance and league championships.

What are the automatic qualification spots?

Capital Branch

• 2 Regular Season Eastern Divisional Winners

• 2 Regular Season Western Divisional Winners

Metropolitan Branch

• 1 Regular Season Northern Divisional Winner

• 1 Regular Season Southern Divisional Winner

How do the Wild Card bids work?

Two Wild Card spots are reserved for Capital or Metropolitan League Champions who did not already qualify through regular-season divisional standings.

If a league champion has already secured an automatic bid, the Wild Card spot(s) will be awarded to the team or teams with the highest regular-season point totals across either branch.

Both Wild Card positions may be awarded to teams from the same branch if point totals dictate.

What tie-breakers are used for Wild Card qualification?

Wild Card tie-breakers are determined in the following order:

1. Most Wins

2. Fewest Penalty Minutes

What rules govern play during the tournament?

All games will be played under Northern Premier Hockey League rules and regulations, consistent with the regular season and playoffs.

This includes enforcement of the League constitution, discipline chart, suspensions, and fines.

Do suspensions or fines carry over beyond the tournament?

Yes. Any suspension or fine issued during the Outlaw Championship Tournament will:

• Apply immediately during the tournament

• Carry over into the following NPHL season if applicable

Are disciplinary decisions appealable during the tournament?

No. There are no appeals during the tournament. All disciplinary decisions made during the event are final.

Appeals related to suspensions that carry into the following season may be reviewed during the offseason.

What officiating system will be used?

All tournament games will be officiated using the four-person officiating system.

What is the game format?

Round Robin Games

• 10-minute warm-up

• Three 20-minute periods

• Ice flood after warm-up and between each period

Quarterfinals, Semi-Finals, and Final

• 15-minute warm-up

• Three 20-minute periods

• Ice floods between periods

How are team rosters determined for the tournament?

Tournament rosters are based on each team’s 40-man regular season roster.

All signed players on the 40-man roster are eligible to participate, regardless of the number of regular-season games played.

The 40-man roster becomes final following the league’s regular-season trade deadline.

How is the tournament structured?

The tournament runs over 9 days, from Friday through the following Saturday.

• Days 1–3: Round Robin play

• Days 4–7 (Monday–Thursday): Quarterfinal games (one game per evening)

• Day 8 (Friday): Semi-Final games

• Day 9 (Saturday): Tournament Final (afternoon)

Teams are eliminated upon a quarterfinal loss.

How are teams seeded?

Teams are seeded 1 through 8 based on points earned during their respective regular seasons.

What tie-breakers are used for seeding?

Seeding tie-breakers are applied in the following order:

1. Regulation-Time Wins

2. Head-to-Head Results (if applicable)

3. Penalty Minutes Recorded