History
League History
The Northern Premier Hockey League, or NPHL, is a senior hockey league that provides a competitive home for players across Ontario and Quebec. Established in 2019, the league was built to create a higher level of amateur hockey while strengthening the connection between teams and the communities they represent.
Originally operating as the EOSHL, the league began with a small group of founding franchises and quickly grew year after year. Along the way, it attracted players from a wide range of backgrounds, including former junior, collegiate, and professional levels. From the start, the vision was clear: deliver a strong brand of senior hockey while building local pride, community involvement, and a true grassroots fan experience.
As the league expanded, so did its presence in communities across the region. Games in local arenas became an important part of regional hockey culture, giving fans a chance to support high-level competition close to home. In April 2025, under new ownership from the previous season, the league entered a new chapter and rebranded as the Northern Premier Hockey League. That change reflected a broader vision for growth, identity, and long-term development.
Today, the NPHL continues to grow as a league built on skill, intensity, teamwork, and community connection. Under the leadership of current owners Jon Zinck and Joshua Rowlands, the league is focused on creating a strong, competitive product on the ice while continuing to grow the game and deepen fan engagement across every market.
Recent Milestones
2024
Welcomed two new Capital League franchises the Westport Lumberjacks and the Lindsay Barncats
Saw the relocation of the Manotick and Pontiac franchises
2025
Rebranded from the EOSHL to the NPHL
Added the Metropolitan Branch in the Windsor area under the NPHL umbrella
Saw the relocation of and to the Akwesasne, Tamworth, and Shawville franchises
Welcomed two new Capital League franchises: the County Royals and the Durham Hawks