News
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
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
Get Your Team on the NIHL Game of the Week
Would your team and your opponent like to be the NIHL Game of the Week with live play-by-play from professional announcers?
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Academic Excellence - Win Every Shift
Did you know that the league celebrates players' accomplishments in the classroom?
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