Monday night the Oahe Hockey Association board met to discuss early plans for a possible expansion team in the NA3HL coming to the Expo Center and Ft. Pierre.
Junior Hockey has three different tiers with the top tier being the United States Hockey League (USHL) which is the league and tier the Sioux Falls Stampede participate. The second tier is the North American Hockey League (NAHL) which would be the Aberdeen Wings league, and then the North American 3 Hockey League where the Badlands Sabres have begun its inaugural season.
The association had its first official discussion about the process so nothing will be decided as of yet, but the plan currently would be, if accepted, for the team to begin playing in the 2022-23 season. President of the Oahe Hockey Association, Nathan Sanderson, says there will be around 22 home games primarily on Friday and Saturday nights. Sanderson says right now, the board will have a lot of questions they need to answer…
Sanderson says they will have to look at some additions to the Expo Center with a NA3HL team…
The contract would be a three year deal with options to renew after the three years are completed. Sanderson says the Oahe Hockey Association is excited to have this potential and appreciates all the support the community has given to the Capitals…
Sanderson says it’s theoretically possible for Capitals players to play on this team, which are usually from 17-20 year olds. However, he doesn’t see this affecting the association much at all. There is a subcommittee researching more and finding answers to questions for the next board meeting which is scheduled for Monday, December 20.
