For over a decade, the NOHA has successfully held registration rates down to ensure hockey remains accessible to as many families as possible.
Unfortunately, we have reached a breaking point. A minority of parents and spectators are creating chaos in our game. Because of this small group, we are now forced to step up our presence and build out new infrastructure to monitor, police, and adjudicate these incidents for the safety of the kids.
As a result, NOHA registration fees will be going up next year to pay for this.
It is incredibly frustrating that everyone must now pay the price for the unacceptable behaviour of a few. We are asking teams, associations, and parents to look in the mirror. Most of you are not the problem, but when we stand by as silent bystanders and let others act this way, we all become part of the problem.
The power to change this is in your hands. If parent and spectator incidents go down next year, we will be able to reduce these fees again. Let the kids play the game.
Hockey is worth fighting for. We're looking for people willing to do exactly that.
The NOHA is launching a new volunteer initiative in response to a growing pattern of behavioural incidents at our rinks. This isn't about punishment. It's about creating the safe, respectful environment that every young player in Northern Ontario deserves. We're assembling a coalition of qualified community members to help us get there.
This team will be responsible for reviewing, adjudicating, and helping resolve conduct incidents in a fair and consistent manner. The people we're looking for have likely spent their careers doing something similar: lawyers, judges, police officers, firefighters, teachers, and others who understand what objectivity and accountability look like in practice.
The details:
Time commitment of approximately 100 hours annually
NOHA provides a stipend and covers all travel expenses
A chance to make a direct, lasting difference for kids in your community
If this sounds like you, we'd love to connect. Contact NOHA Executive Director, Jason Marchand at jmarchand@noha-hockey.ca, to let us know you're interested.
North Bay, Ontario — August 4th 2026 — The league formerly known as the Great North U18 Hockey League announced today that it has rebranded as the Great North Hockey League (GNHL), effective immediately. The name change reflects the League's composition, which includes both U16 AAA and U18 AAA Member Teams under the NOHA banner.
The updated name and refreshed logo, which features the League's growling bear crest and NOHA AAA banner, are intended to more accurately represent the full scope of competition within the League, rather than a single age division.
“This rebrand is about accuracy, not change for change’s sake,” said Albert Corradini, League Commissioner.
“Our League has grown to include both U16 AAA and U18 AAA teams, and the Great North Hockey League name reflects who we actually are today. The competition, the standards, and the commitment to player development remain exactly the same.”
The Great North Hockey League will continue to operate under its existing structure, with no changes to scheduling, standings, or team eligibility as a result of the rebrand. Teams, families, and partners can expect to see the new name and logo reflected across League communications, uniforms, and digital properties in the coming weeks.
For more information about the Great North Hockey League, including schedules and standings for both the U16 AAA and U18 AAA divisions, visit Great North Hockey League
