News

Tage Thompson: NIHL Alum Scores OT Winner to Give USA Gold

The Stanley Cup Playoffs occupied a lot of attention, but did you watch the U.S. Men’s National Team win its first gold in 92 years at the 2025 IIHF Men's World Championship? Team USA finished second in their preliminary round group and then won their quarterfinal, semifinal and gold-medal games! Even better, NIHL Alum, Tage Thompson, scored the OT winner to lift the USA past Switzerland in the gold-medal game (1-0, OT) to earn our nation its second gold medal ever in the men's worlds. Tage finished the Worlds with six goals and nine points. He earned his third medal at a World Championship, tying him as the most decorated player in U.S. history at the event. NIHL is proud of all the amazing kids who have played in our league.

NIHL Girls Hockey Grows Stronger

The Northern Illinois Hockey League is excited to welcome all of the Girls clubs that have committed to play in the upcoming, 2025 – 2026 season. The new season will bring together teams from Illinois as well as highly talented players and teams from nearby Midwestern states. -Team counts are expected to increase by roughly 30% over last season -The season will incorporate a new and improved end-of-season, Girls’ tournament format -The league will continue to advance and roll out more innovations for Girls Hockey in our area of the country The league and all the clubs believe in the importance of offering competitively balanced divisions within each Age Level. We wish your clubs, players and families all the best this upcoming season and beyond.

Todd Reirden: NIHL Alum, NHL Defenseman and NHL Coach with Two Stanley Cup Rings

NIHL has grown so much since my time, and it’s amazing to see how it continues to produce players who excel on and off the ice. I’m proud to be part of its legacy and grateful for the role it played in my journey.” - Todd Reirden, Former NIHL Player, NHL Defenseman and Stanley Cup Rings with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2009 and Washington Capitals in 2018

Todd Reirden Testimonial

Blackhawks Launch New Youth Hockey Resource

Our youth hockey partner, the Chicago Blackhawks, have launched the Sticks In website to simplify the process of finding the information parents and players need to get started in our great sport. It exists to help them get a better understanding of the clubs, teams and leagues that are out there to be joined. It's a place to get educated, to get excited and to get started. Click and give it a look!

Click for Sticks In website

Floorplan Seating Chart for Scheduling Meeting

Download this file to find your table at the scheduling meeting quickly and easily.

Download Map

Driving directions to Metea Valley High School and parking instructions

1801 North Eola Road, Aurora, IL

Download Directions

Scheduling Meeting Timetable

Download the meeting timetable document to know when your team's division, level and tier scheduling will occur.

Download Meeting Schedule

Jack Devine: NIHL Alum, Two-Time NCAA Champion, NHL Draft Pick

“Some of my most cherished memories in hockey started right here in NIHL, playing for the Winnetka Warriors."

Jack Devine Testimonial

Cammi Granato: NIHL Alum and U.S. Women's Olympic Team 1998 and 2002

"I had a lot of memories in my 15 years on the U.S. National Team, but some of my favorite memories were during my time playing in NIHL."

Cammi Granato Article

Molly Schaus: NIHL Alum and U.S. Women's Olympic Team 2010 and 2014

"Watching the US win a Gold medal and seeing Cammi Granato, from Downers Grove, was fascinating and it became a dream of mine to pursue that."

Molly Schaus Article

Applications for 2024-2025 Playing Privileges

Application for playing privileges for non-member organizations are required annually. The Executive Board reviews applications at monthly league meetings prior to each season.

Click for Application

Team Manager Instructions

Get to know how to use our league website and learn how to register as the manager for your team, login, and schedule and score games.

Download the Tutorial

NIHL Team Manager Instructions PPT Final 1 alt

Key NIHL Dates Coming Up

The NIHL Calendar includes some key dates as we all plan for August and September.

View NIHL Calendar

Tage Thompson: 2008-2009 NIHL PeeWee Elite Champion and current Buffalo Sabre

"I can't express enough how essential fun and confidence are for any young hockey player, and the Northern Illinois Hockey League (NIHL) provided me with both."

Read Tage's Statement

Watch the 6 United Center Championships Here

Maybe you were playing in the games, or maybe you just want to watch it again... all the six, Feb. 18, NIHL Blackhawks Tournament Championships from the United Center can be seen on YouTube, on the Stream Sports Midwest channel.

Watch Here

Oct. 6, 2023 Rockford ABC/FOX TV

Oct. 6, 2023 Rockford ABC/FOX TV report on Youth Hockey. Excitement about the Chicago Blackhawks and the Rockford Ice Hogs new seasons and the Rockford Roadrunners reasons for playing in the competitively balanced, Northern Illinois Hockey League.

Watch the Interview

Oct. 7, 2023 WCPT 820 AM Radio Chicago

Oct. 7, 2023 WCPT 820 AM Radio Chicago report on Youth Hockey. News about NIHL Blackhawks Tournament Championships at the United Center, Chicago Warriors Charity Game, efforts that grow the game, competitive balance in the Northern Illinois Hockey League and All Star Game plans.

Listen to the Interview

Sept. 19, 2023 KMOX Radio St. Louis

Sept. 19, 2023 KMOX Radio report on Girls Hockey in the Northern Illinois Hockey League. Growth of the league’s Girls’ Divisions, competitive balance the league promotes and addition of clubs/teams from Missouri, Iowa, Wisconsin, Indiana and Michigan.

Listen to the Interview

Oct. 7-8, 2023 WBBM News Radio

Oct. 7-8, 2023 WBBM News Radio report on Girls Hockey in the Northern Illinois Hockey League. Growth of the league’s Girls’ Divisions and the competitive balance the league promotes.

Listen to the Interview