The North Alabama Amateur Hockey Association (NAHA) is a non-profit, all volunteer, corporation formed to promote the sport o ... f hockey among the youth of Huntsville and its surrounding areas. The hockey program began in 1962 in conjunction with Benton Wilcoxon (owner of the Ice Palace), Laurance Cross (YMCA Director), Roger Julien, David Gregory and others began talking with parents of kids playing on four YMCA football teams. They then took volunteers and started the hockey program through the YMCA. Through those early years many fine people kept the program. The Program continued to grow. Around 1973 the Huntsville Amateur Hockey Association (HAHA) was formed and became independent from the YMCA. In August 2012, the name was changed to the North Alabama Hockey Association (NAHA) to more accurately represent the diversity of our facilities and membership. As the players outgrew the program, they saw a need to introduce hockey at the college level. Former NAHA alumni helped to establish club hockey at The University of Alabama at Huntsville (UAH). UAH has grown to a NCAA Division I team and in the 1995/1996 and 1997/1998 seasons UAH won the NCAA Division II National Championship series here in Huntsville, the HOCKEY CAPITAL OF THE SOUTH. NAHA has over 800 players with ages ranging from 4 to over 84. Our membership routinely comes from Cullman to Decatur to Scottsboro and beyond. This is one of the best opportunities in winter sports in the area. Hockey is growing within the South and Huntsville plans to continue in a leadership role. After all our slogan is: HUNTSVILLE: HOCKEY CAPITAL OF THE SOUTH NAHA is a member of USA HOCKEY and its affiliate Southern Amateur Hockey Association. This qualifies our players to participate in USA Hockey programs such as select hockey camps, and district, and regional playoffs. The playoffs lead to the selection of a national champion in the peewee, bantam and midget age groups. read more