The Parking Lot Volume 15
Drop the Puck on the 25th AHA Winter League Season
The 25th AHA Winter Season is officially underway! The first puck has dropped, and the excitement is back in the air as teams hit the ice to start another unforgettable season of hockey. It’s more than just a milestone; it’s a celebration of 25 seasons of competition, camaraderie, and community that continue to define AHA hockey.
The Beginner School Cup: A New Era of AHA Competition
The AHA Beginner School has always been where future hockey players take their first strides, learn the game, and build lifelong friendships. In past seasons, our Beginner School program featured two teams that faced off through a short series, wrapping up their journey with a friendly championship game to close out the session. It was a great way to celebrate progress and growth — but this year, we’ve turned it up a notch.
Introducing the revamped Beginner School Cup, a new format that brings together the best of both our Winter and Summer Beginner School teams for one thrilling, single-elimination tournament to determine the Beginner School Champion of the Year.
This new structure doesn’t just raise the level of play; it brings the community together. Players from different sessions get to showcase how far they’ve come, test their skills against new faces, and experience the excitement of playoff hockey. The energy in the rink is electric as each game carries real stakes, but the spirit remains true to what makes Beginner School special: teamwork, development, and love for the game.
A special shout-out also goes to Uffda United, winners of the Beginner School Cup! Their energy and growth captured the spirit of what AHA hockey is all about — players of every level finding their place in the game.
That same spirit shines through in this month’s Player Spotlight, featuring Nathan Marquardt, whose journey from Alaska to the AHA crease reminds us why we keep coming back to the ice.
Player Spotlight
Name: Nathan Marquardt
Hometown: Anchorage, Alaska
# / Position: #5 Defensemen & #1 Goalie
Team / Tier: B2 Outlaws & D2 HotDishers
My hockey journey started in Anchorage, Alaska, where I was born and raised. I first stepped on the ice when I was four years old and played through all the youth levels from mites to bantams before getting the opportunity of a lifetime to play for Shattuck-St. Mary’s in Faribault, Minnesota, in 2013.
Leaving Alaska as a teenager was a big step, but those two years living in the dorms at Shattuck were unforgettable. I graduated in 2016 and went on to play two seasons of junior hockey with the La Crosse Freeze (NA3HL) from 2016–2018. During that time, I was fortunate enough to commit to Iowa State University’s ACHA Division I team.
After a semester with the team, I made the difficult decision to hang up my skates and focus on finishing my Software Engineering degree. Life got busy between school, internships, and finding my footing in the working world, hockey took a back seat for about six years.
Even though I wasn’t playing, hockey never really left me. My girlfriend Maggie played in the AHA with the Cavemen, and watching her reminded me how much I missed the game. With her encouragement, I decided to give AHA a try. Last year, I joined the B2 Outlaws, and it was exactly what I needed a great group of teammates, strong competition, and that feeling of camaraderie I’d been missing.
Then, in the spring, I got a wild idea: I wanted to try playing goalie. So I bought the gear, got on the ice, and quickly realized…I had no clue what I was doing! Thankfully, AHA’s Beginner School and Goalie Clinics helped me learn the ropes and meet a great group of players and coaches who supported me through every awkward butterfly and glove save attempt.
Now, I’m splitting time between playing defense for the Outlaws and goalie for the HotDishers. Over the summer, it was awesome to see everyone grow through the clinics and compete in the revamped Beginner’s Cup.
Getting back into hockey has reminded me how much this game means to me. I’m excited for the new season — to keep improving, meet more great people, and enjoy every minute back on the ice.
Duluth Classic Tournament Champions
The annual Duluth Classic Tournament once again delivered everything we love about the game — high-energy competition, sportsmanship, and that unmistakable sense of community that fills the rinks along Lake Superior.
This year’s champions skated home with more than just banners; they earned bragging rights and memories that will last all season. Congratulations to our division winners:
Level 1 – Ice Holes
Level 2 – Zephyrs
Level 3 – Huskies
Level 4 – Lake Superior Warriors
Level 5 – Thunder Bay
Each team brought their best, proving once again that AHA hockey is built on heart, teamwork, and the friendships formed along the boards.
Every player, goalie, captain, volunteer, and fan adds to the story we’re writing together. Whether you’ve been with the league since the beginning or you’re lacing up for your first season, you’re part of what keeps AHA hockey strong.
As we celebrate this milestone season, we also want to keep highlighting the amazing individuals who make this league more than just a game. If you know someone with a great story, a teammate, coach, or player who deserves the spotlight, or if you have an idea or recommendation to make the league even better, we’d love to hear from you.
Reach out to the AHA Communications team (communications@ahahockey.com) with your Player Spotlight nominations or league suggestions, and help us keep the community connected both on and off the ice.
Here’s to 25 years of hockey, friendship, and unforgettable moments — and to the many more seasons still ahead!
| Program | Start Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 Winter Beginner School | Nov 17th | FULL |
| 2025-26 Winter League | Nov 1st | STARTED |
