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National Ringette League

Semi-professional ringette league in Canada

National Ringette League

Summary

Semi-professional ringette league in Canada

FieldValue
titleNational Ringette League
current_season2023–24 NRL season
last_season2022–23 NRL season
logoNationalRingetteLeague Logo.png
pixels150px
sportRingette
founded2002
inaugural2004
divisionsWestern Conference, Eastern Conference Red, Eastern Conference White
teams14
champion{{Plainlist
most successful clubCambridge Turbos
(6 times)
country
website

the semi-professional ringette league

  • Montreal Mission
  • (2024-25) (6 times)
A 2018 game between the [[Atlantic Attack]] and Richmond Hill Lightning.

The National Ringette League (NRL) () is the premier league for the sport of ringette in North America and Canada's national league for elite ringette players aged 18 and up. The NRL is not a women's variant of a more well-known men's league or sport like professional women's ice hockey or bandy; one of ringette's distinctive features is that all of its players are girls and women. As such, the NRL is the continent's first and only winter team sports league whose entire athlete roster is made up of women and non-binary athletes.

The NRL is semi-professional and operates as a showcase league for ringette in North America. The league functions as a committee under Ringette Canada, a non-profit sports organization and Canada's national governing body for ringette. Its Finnish equivalent is the SM Ringette league in Finland.

League history

Ringette is a Canadian sport that was first introduced in 1963 in North Bay, Ontario. For ten years, play was confined to Ontario and Quebec; however, the sport spread quickly and is now played by over 30,000 players and involves over 50,000 participants across Canada. The success of the 2002 World Ringette Championships in Edmonton, Alberta, where Canada won the gold medal, sparked the desire to create the National Ringette League. Former Team Canada goaltender, Keely Brown, was a key figure in getting the NRL established. The NRL was founded in 2002 and began play the following year, with November 2004 marking the start of its official inaugural season. The first NRL season included seventeen teams in three cross-country divisions.

The National Ringette League playoffs at the Canadian Ringette Championships (CRC) began in 2008 when they replaced the national championships for Under-19 years and Open divisions. Playoffs are held annually at CRCs to determine an annual league champion. Historically, they consisted of knockout matches, round robins, and tournaments in various cities, but currently the tournament takes place in just one city. The winning National Ringette League team is awarded with the Jeanne Sauvé Memorial Cup, named after Canada's first female Governor General.

A 2009 episode of Rick Mercer Report called "Ringette Night In Canada" featured the NRL's Cambridge Turbos. In 2013, Télé Québec broadcast a short documentary film titled 'Tout le monde dehors – La Ringuette', which focused on the NRL's Gatineau Fusion, along with Yvon Brault, who devotes his life to this sport.

Structure and competition

Teams compete in two conferences: the Western Conference, which consists of teams from British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba, and the Eastern Conference, which is further divided into Red and White sub-conferences and includes teams from Ontario, Quebec, and Atlantic Canada. Currently the league operates based on hub-style tournaments, and a team can expect to host 1–2 such tournaments a season, while traveling for an additional 4–5. NRL games are divided into four 13-minute periods.

Characteristic of North American sports, the NRL is a closed league with no relegation. There is an annual draft in between seasons, which is the main entry for new players in the league. The NRL runs four regional drafts; in 2011, there was one for the region of Ottawa and Gatineau, another one for Manitoba, another for Southern Ontario, and another for the Montreal region. Trading among teams is also common.

Some players are selected from the league to help form Canada's national ringette teams, while the league also draws some international players, especially from Finland. In some cases, players have been traded between clubs in Canada's NRL to Ringette Finland's semi-professional ringette league, SM Ringette (formerly called ), and vice versa.

The NRL maintains a collaboration with the lower Ringette leagues in regards to the development of the young female players, therefore several teams of the NRL have affiliated development teams for Under 19 years old and Under 16 years old. The Canadian Ringette Championships for U16 and U19 takes place in the same place as the NRL playoff tournament elimination. It is this tournament which allows the tracers and talent scouts for the NRL teams to identify emerging young athletes as potential future NRL players.

In 2008, the budget of each NRL team varied between $15,000 and $20000. The teams and the league contribute to cover all the transport spending, accommodation, and rent of arenas. The players must find their own financiers to pay for their equipment and personal spending and the players are not paid for play.

Background

Over thirty different teams have competed in the NRL since it began in 2004. For the 2021–22 season, there were 12 teams playing in a hub format, down from 15 teams from the previous year, due to COVID-19. The Cambridge Turbos have won the most NRL titles. The Lower Mainland Thunder in British Columbia and the Ottawa Ice in Ontario are the only now-defunct NRL teams in league history to have won a Canadian Ringette Championship along with the Jeanne Sauvé Memorial Cup, and the league's national championship gold medal. The LMRL Thunder won in 2011–12, and the Ottawa Ice won the league title in 2013–14. Both the LMRL Thunder and the Ottawa Ice won the NRL championship once in their team's history while their clubs were active.

For the 2005–06 season, the league had 19 teams competing in four divisions. The Eastern Conference in 2005–06 included the Ontario and Québec divisions. Ontario teams included the Cambridge Turbos, Gloucester Devils, Ottawa Ice, Richmond Hill Lightning and Waterloo Wildfire. The Ottawa Ice was an expansion team. The Québec division included the BLL Nordiques (who later became the Bourassa Royal) the Cyclones de Québec, the Montreal Mission, and Rive–Sud Revolution, all returning from the previous season. Teams in the Central Division included the APFG Sixers, BoniVital Angels, Eastman Flames, Hix with Stix, and Manitoba Moose. The Western Division included the returning league champion, the Edmonton WAM!, the Calgary RATH, BC Reign, the Saskatoon Wild, and the previous year's wild card team, the Edmonton Edge. With nineteen teams competing, it was this NRL season which recorded the highest number of teams competing in the NRL in a single season in league history. The 2005–06 NRL season also marked the inaugural season of the NRL Championship.[[File:National Ringette League 01.jpg|290px|thumb| A [[Montreal Mission]] player taking a free pass]]

NRL National Championship format

Main article: National Ringette League playoffs

The NRL Championship, which crowns the team champion of the league, is played annually by the eight best teams in the league at the Canadian Ringette Championships in the National Ringette League division.

History

In 2010–11, the introduction of a new NRL Championship Tournament replaced the Championship qualifying rounds. The tournament took place in just one city. The format was intended to allow the league to create a media event and to hold attention. The top ten teams in the regular season of the league participated in the tournament.

Starting in 2011–12, eight teams play a full round robin to determine the champion, also called the Elite Eight.

Awards and honours

Jeanne Sauvé Memorial Cup

The final competition for the National Ringette League is held annually at the Canadian Ringette Championships. The Jeanne Sauvé Memorial Cup is the championship trophy awarded annually to the winning team in the National Ringette League. Initially coined the "Jeanne Sauvé Cup", and initiated in December 1984, it was first presented at the 1985 Canadian Ringette Championships in Dollard-des-Ormeaux, Québec.

NRL Annual Award nominees

At the end of March, during the week break before the National Ringette League Championships, the League names its annuals Award Nominees. Award winners are announced at the closing banquet of the Canadian Ringette Championships. The awards program recognizes the performance of NRL athletes during regular season play with trophies for:

  • Rookie of the Year
  • Most Valuable Player
  • Top Forward
  • Top Centre
  • Top Defence
  • Top Goalkeeper
  • Coaching Staff of the Year
  • NRL Top Scorer

Teams

Top right: Bourassa Royal in 2012. Bottom: Atlantic Attack in 2016. As of the 2024–25 season, there are 13 teams in the NRL, all of them based in Canada. The number of teams in the NRL can vary from season to season, as new teams may be added or existing teams may withdraw.

Current teams

TeamCity/AreaFoundedCupsGSBWestern ConferenceEastern ConferenceFormer NRL Teams
BC Thunder[[File:Arms of British Columbia.svg25px]] British Columbia20111100
Edmonton Black Gold Rush[[File:Shield of Alberta.svg25px]] Edmonton, Alberta20150000
Calgary RATH[[File:Shield of Alberta.svg25px]] Calgary, Alberta20073322
Edmonton WAM![[File:Shield of Alberta.svg25px]] Edmonton, Alberta20045532
Manitoba Herd[[File:Arms of Manitoba.svg25px]] Winnipeg, Manitoba20210000
Saskatchewan Heat[[File:Shield of arms of Saskatchewan.svg25px]] Saskatoon, Saskatchewan20210000
Gatineau Fusion[[File:Coat of arms of Quebec.svg25px]] Gatineau, Quebec20080000
Cambridge Turbos[[File:Arms of Ontario.svg25px]] Cambridge, Ontario20036634
Waterloo Wildfire[[File:Arms of Ontario.svg25px]] Waterloo, Ontario20040003
Nepean Ravens[[File:Arms of Ontario.svg25px]] Nepean, Ontario20210000
Atlantic Attack[[File:Arms of New Brunswick.svg25px]] Cocagne, New Brunswick20111120
Montréal Mission[[File:Coat of arms of Quebec.svg25px]] Montréal, Quebec20040021
Rive-Sud Révolution[[File:Coat of arms of Quebec.svg25px]] South Shore, Quebec20040000
Ottawa Ice[[File:Arms of Ontario.svg25px]] Ottawa, Ontario20051102
Gloucester Devils[[File:Arms of Ontario.svg25px]] Gloucester, Ontario20040010
Winnipeg Prairie Fire[[File:Arms of Manitoba.svg25px]] Winnipeg, Manitoba20060011
LMRL Thunder[[File:Arms of British Columbia.svg25px]] British Columbia20111100

Western Conference

Edmonton Black Gold Rush

The Edmonton Black Gold Rush (commonly called "The Rush" or "Rushies") is a ringette team in the National Ringette League (NRL) based in Edmonton, Alberta. The team competes in the NRL Western Conference and was founded in 2015.

The following is the Rush roster for the 2022–23 season.

Edmonton Black Gold Rush 2022–23
No

Eastern Conference

Waterloo Wildfire

The Waterloo Wildfire is a ringette team in the National Ringette League (NRL) based in Waterloo, Ontario. The team competes in the NRL Eastern Conference in the Red Division.

The following is the Wildfire's roster for the 2022–23 season.

Waterloo Wildfire 2022–23
No
2
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
12
16
17
18
23
24
25
29

Nepean Ravens

The Nepean Ravens is a ringette team in the National Ringette League (NRL) based in Nepean, Ontario (Ottawa). The team competes in the NRL Eastern Conference in the Red Division and was founded in 2021.

The following is the Ravens roster for the 2022–23 season.

Nepean Ravens 2022–23
No
2
3
4
5
9
11
12
13
14
16
17
19
21
23
25
30
32

Gatineau Fusion

The Gatineau Fusion is a ringette team in the National Ringette League (NRL) based in Gatineau, Quebec. The team competes in the NRL Eastern Conference in the Red Division and was founded in 2008.

The following is the Fusion's roster for the 2022–23 season.

Gatineau Fusion 2022–23
No
5
6
7
9
10
13
15
17
18
20
21
26
27
28
32
33
61
66
71
74
91

Rive-Sud Révolution

The ****, ("South Shore Revolution" in English), is a ringette team in the National Ringette League (NRL) based in Montérégie, the southwestern part of Québec. The Revolution competes in the NRL Eastern Conference in the White Division and was founded in 2004. The Revolution is one of the oldest teams in the NRL.

The team's home arena is in Québec and its headquarters are located in South Shore, Montreal. The South Shore is located within the Quebec administrative region of Montérégie. Its team affiliate is the U19 South Shore Revolution.

The Revolution began competing for their 16th year as a club during the NRL 2022–23 season. The following is the Révolution's roster for the 2022–23 season.

Rive-Sud Révolution 2022–23
No
4
5
7
8
9
10
11
12
19
20
21
22
25
26
28
29
30
31
77
88
91
93
96
97
99

Rive-Sud Révolution players have competed for the Canada national ringette team at the World Ringette Championships (WRC) and are listed in the table below.

2013Canada 2013 Team Canada SeniorJulie Primard

National Ringette League champions

National Ringette League (NRL) champions compete annually at the Canadian Ringette Championships at the end of the NRL season. The 2019–20 and 2020–21 seasons were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

List of NRL champions by season

List of Jeanne Sauvé Memorial Cup winners at the Canadian Ringette Championships:

  • 2023–24 – Edmonton WAM!
  • 2022–23 – Edmonton WAM!
  • 2021–22 – Calgary RATH
  • 2020–21 – Not held due to COVID-19 pandemic
  • 2019–20 – Not held due to COVID-19 pandemic
  • 2018–19 – Calgary RATH
  • 2017–18 – Atlantic Attack
  • 2016–17 – Cambridge Turbos
  • 2015–16 – Cambridge Turbos
  • 2014–15 – Cambridge Turbos
  • 2013–14 – Ottawa Ice
  • 2012–13 – Calgary Rath
  • 2011–12 – LMRL Thunder
  • 2010–11 – Edmonton WAM!
  • 2009–10 – Edmonton WAM!
  • 2008–09 – Cambridge Turbos
  • 2007–08 – Cambridge Turbos
  • 2006–07 – Edmonton WAM!
  • 2005–06 – Cambridge Turbos
  • 2004–05 – No championship match

NRL final standings season by season

The table below provides a chronological list of Jeanne Sauvé Memorial Cup winners at the Canadian Ringette Championships and the NRL's teams who won the gold, silver, and bronze medals.

LocationGoldSilverBronze2003–04
(CRC Open)2004–05
(CRC Open)2005–06
(CRC Open)2006–07
(CRC Open)2007–082008–092009–102010–112011–122012–13url=https://www.ringette.ca/event_results/2014-regina-saskatchewan/title=2014: Regina, Saskatchewanwebsite=ringette.cayear=2016access-date=October 6, 2022publisher=Ringette Canadalanguage=enarchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160409151900/http://www.ringette.ca/event_results/2014-regina-saskatchewanarchive-date=April 9, 2016url-status=dead}}2014–152015–162016–172017–182018–192021–222022–232023–24
[[File:Shield of Alberta.svg30px]] CalgaryAlbertaOntario Wild CardManitoba
[[File:Arms of Manitoba.svg30px]] WinnipegAlbertaOntarioOntario Wild Card
[[File:Coat of arms of Quebec.svg30px]] LongueuilCambridge Turbos
(Ontario)AlbertaQuebec
[[File:Arms of Nova Scotia.svg30px]] HalifaxEdmonton WAM!
(Alberta)Western Wild CardOntario
[[File:Shield of Alberta.svg30px]] St. AlbertCambridge TurbosMontreal MissionCalgary RATH
[[File:Arms of Prince Edward Island.svg30px]] CharlottetownCambridge TurbosEdmonton WAM!Montreal Mission
[[File:Shield of arms of Saskatchewan.svg30px]] SaskatoonEdmonton WAM!Cambridge TurbosWinnipeg Prairie Fire
[[File:Arms of Ontario.svg30px]] CambridgeEdmonton WAM!Cambridge TurbosCalgary RATH
[[File:Arms of British Columbia.svg30px]] BurnabyLMRL Thunder (Lower Mainland Ringette League)Montreal MissionOttawa Ice
[[File:Arms of New Brunswick.svg30px]] FrederictonCalgary RATHWinnipeg Prairie FireCambridge Turbos
[[File:Shield of arms of Saskatchewan.svg30px]] ReginaOttawa IceCambridge TurbosEdmonton WAM!
[[File:Shield of Alberta.svg30px]] Wood BuffaloCambridge TurbosRichmond Hill LightningEdmonton WAM!
[[File:Arms of Ontario.svg30px]] LondonCambridge TurbosGloucester DevilsOttawa Ice
[[File:Shield of Alberta.svg30px]] LeducCambridge TurbosAtlantic AttackWaterloo Wildfire
[[File:Arms of Manitoba.svg30px]] WinnipegAtlantic AttackEdmonton WAM!Cambridge Turbos
[[File:Arms of Prince Edward Island.svg30px]] Charlottetown and SummersideCalgary RATHAtlantic AttackCambridge Turbos
[[File:Shield of Alberta.svg30px]] CalgaryCalgary RATHEdmonton WAM!Cambridge Turbos
[[File:Shield of arms of Saskatchewan.svg30px]] ReginaEdmonton WAM!Montreal MissionCalgary RATH
[[File:Arms of New Brunswick.svg30px]] DieppeEdmonton WAM!Calgary RATHWaterloo Wildfire

NRL complete final standings

2003–04 The 2003–04 NRL season marked the National Ringette League's inaugural year with 17 teams competing across Canada. The competition was referred to as the "Open Division" and took place in Waterloo, Ontario.

2003–04 National Ringette League seasonNumber of teamsSeason championsPlaceTeam
url=http://www.ringette.ca/Content/About/OurSport/HistoryOfRingette.asp?langid=1title=Our Sport History of Ringettewebsite=ringette.cadate=2010access-date=February 4, 2023publisher=Ringette Canadalanguage=enarchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706202909/http://www.ringette.ca/Content/About/OurSport/HistoryOfRingette.asp?langid=1archive-date=July 6, 2011url-status=dead}}[[File:Simple cup icon.svg]] Alberta [[File:Coat of arms of Alberta.svg20px]]
[[File:Coat of arms of Alberta.svg20px]] Alberta
[[File:Arms of Ontario.svg20px]] Ontario Wild Card
[[File:Arms of Manitoba.svg20px]] Manitoba
4thQuebec Quebec
5thBritish Columbia British Columbia
6thSaskatchewan Saskatchewan (Saskatoon Wild)
7thOntario Waterloo (host)

2004–05 There wasn't an NRL championship for the 2004–05 NRL season but a competition took place at the Canadian Ringette Championships in Calgary, Alberta for the Open division.

2005–06 The 2005–06 season marked the NRL's second season with 19 teams competing and two new teams joined the league, one of which was the Ottawa Ice. These teams were distributed in four conferences: the West Conference (five teams), Central Conference (five teams), Ontario Conference (five teams), and Quebec Conference (four teams). The dominant teams were the Cambridge Turbos in the Ontario Conference, Montreal Mission in the Quebec Conference, Edmonton WAM! in the West Conference, and the champions of the Central Division, the APFG Sixers (Assiniboine Park/Fort Garry, an AA provincial team from Manitoba).

The 2005–06 NRL season finals took place at the 2006 Canadian Ringette Championships in Longueuil, Quebec. The championship match of the NRL/LNR took place in the Centre Étienne Desmarteau in Montreal, on April 1, 2006, and was won by the Cambridge Turbos.

During the off-season three teams folded citing low attendance revenue.

2005–06 National Ringette League seasonNumber of teamsSeason championsPlaceTeam
19[[File:Simple cup icon.svg]] Cambridge Turbos
Ontario Cambridge Turbos (Ontario)
Alberta Alberta
Quebec Quebec
4thOntario Ontario Wild Card
5thManitoba Manitoba
6thWest Wild Card
7thHost
8thQuebec Québec Wild Card
9thSaskatchewan Saskatchewan (Saskatoon Wild)
10thBritish Columbia British Columbia

2006–07 In 2006–07, the NRL entered its third season and consisted of 16 teams distributed in three conferences: the West Conference (seven teams), Ontario Conference (five teams), and Quebec Conference (four teams). The Championship final match took place in on April 10, 2007, and was won by the Edmonton WAM!.

2006–07 National Ringette League seasonNumber of teamsSeason championsPlaceTeam
16[[File:Simple cup icon.svg]] Edmonton WAM!
Alberta Edmonton WAM!
Western Wild Card
Ontario Ontario
4thQuebec Quebec Wild Card
5thManitoba Manitoba
6thOntario Ontario Wild Card
7thBritish Columbia British Columbia
8thQuebec Quebec
9thSaskatchewan Saskatchewan (Saskatoon Wild)
10thNova Scotia Nova Scotia

2007–08 In 2007–08, seventeen teams competed in two conferences. The Western Conference included seven teams and the Eastern Conference included ten teams.

The 2007–08 NRL Championship finals were played at the 2008 Canadian Ringette Championships in St. Albert, Alberta.

2007–08 National Ringette League seasonNumber of teamsSeason championsPlaceTeam
17[[File:Simple cup icon.svg]] Cambridge Turbos
Ontario Cambridge Turbos
Quebec Montreal Mission
Alberta Calgary RATH
4thAlberta Edmonton WAM!
5thAlberta Edmonton Edge
6thManitoba Manitoba Jets
7thOntario Richmond Hill Lightning
8thOntario Gloucester Devils
9thBritish Columbia BC Reign
10thAtlantic Sixers

2008–09 In 2008–09, the NRL consisted of eighteen teams grouped in a Western Conference with six teams and an Eastern Conference with twelve teams.

Also in 2008, the first Ringette World Club Championship was held in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. Four NRL teams faced two teams from the Finland's elite ringette league, , now known as "SM–Ringette". The Cambridge Turbos won the world title having overcome in the Finnish champion team, , in the final.

2008–09 National Ringette League seasonNumber of teamsSeason championsPlaceTeam
18[[File:Simple cup icon.svg]] Cambridge Turbos
Ontario Cambridge Turbos
Alberta Edmonton WAM!
Quebec Montreal Mission
4thAlberta Calgary RATH
5thOntario Ottawa Ice
6thManitoba Prairie Fire
7thQuebec Rive-Sud Révolution
8thOntario Waterloo Wildfire
9thQuebec Cyclones de Quebec
10thNew Brunswick Atlantic Attack

2009–10 In the 2009–10 season, the National Ringette League for its sixth season with eighteen teams competing. The Edmonton WAM! became the NRL champions again after being eclipsed for two years by the Cambridge Turbos. Edmonton beat Cambridge 2–0 in the NRL league division final.

2009–10 National Ringette League seasonNumber of teamsSeason championsPlaceTeam
18[[File:Simple cup icon.svg]] Edmonton WAM!
Alberta Edmonton WAM!
Ontario Cambridge Turbos
Manitoba Prairie Fire
4thAlberta Calgary RATH
5thOntario Ottawa Ice
6thSaskatchewan Saskatoon Wild
7thOntario Waterloo Wildfire
8thQuebec Montreal Mission
9thOntario Gloucester Devils
10thAtlantic Sixers

2010–11 The 2010–11 NRL Championship finals were played at the 2011 Canadian Ringette Championships in Cambridge, Ontario between March 27, 2011, and April 2, 2011. In the final game of the NRL's league division, the Edmonton WAM! triumphed over the Cambridge Turbos.

2009–10 National Ringette League seasonNumber of teamsSeason championsPlaceTeam
[[File:Simple cup icon.svg]] Edmonton WAM!
Alberta Edmonton WAM!
Ontario Cambridge Turbos
Alberta Calgary RATH
4thManitoba Prairie Fire
5thOntario Richmond Hill Lightning
6thOntario Ottawa Ice
7thQuebec Montreal Mission
8thQuebec Cyclones de Quebec
9thNew Brunswick Atlantic Attack
10thOntario Gloucester Devils

2011–12 In the 2011–12 season, the NRL entered its eighth season with nineteen teams playing in two conferences. The 2011–12 NRL Championship finals were played at the 2012 Canadian Ringette Championships in Burnaby, British Columbia.

The NRL experienced a new expansion during the 2011–12 season, with the creation of two new teams, the Atlantic Attack (of Moncton in New Brunswick) and Lower Mainland Thunder (of British Columbia).

The 2011–12 regular season began on October 15, 2011, and concluded on March 18, 2012. All in all, thirty matches were contested by each of the teams during the regular season. Each of the teams only faced teams within their own conference. This structure allowed teams to reduce the costs of transport given the size of the Canadian territory covered by the league. At the end of the regular season, there is a break of a week when the various individual distinctions are awarded, then a National Ringette League Championship Tournament. This is the year the Elite Eight began.

2011–12 National Ringette League seasonNumber of teamsSeason championsPlaceTeam
19[[File:Simple cup icon.svg]] LMRL Thunder
(Lower Mainland Ringette League)
British Columbia LMRL Thunder
(Lower Mainland Ringette League)
Quebec Montreal Mission
Ontario Ottawa Ice
4thOntario Cambridge Turbos
5thAlberta Calgary RATH
6thOntario Richmond Hill Lightning
7thManitoba Prairie Fire
8thManitoba Manitoba Jets

2012–13 The 2012–13 NRL Championship finals were played at the 2013 Canadian Ringette Championships in Fredericton, New Brunswick.

2012–13 National Ringette League seasonNumber of teamsSeason championsPlaceTeam
?[[File:Simple cup icon.svg]] Calgary RATH
Alberta Calgary RATH
Manitoba Manitoba Prairie Fire
Ontario Cambridge Turbos
4thBritish Columbia BC Thunder
5thOntario Gloucester Devils
6thQuebec Montreal Mission
7thOntario Richmond Hill Lightning
8thNew Brunswick Atlantic Attack

2013–14 The 2013–14 NRL Championship finals were played at the 2014 Canadian Ringette Championships in Regina, Saskatchewan.

2013–14 National Ringette League seasonNumber of teamsSeason championsTeam
13[[File:Simple cup icon.svg]] Ottawa Ice
Ontario Ottawa Ice
Ontario Cambridge Turbos
Alberta Edmonton WAM!
4thOntario Richmond Hill Lightning
5thAlberta Calgary RATH
6thQuebec Montreal Mission
7thOntario Gloucester Devils
8thOntario Waterloo Wildfire

2014–15 The 2014–15 NRL Championship finals were played at the 2015 Canadian Ringette Championships in Wood Buffalo, Alberta. The season's winners were the Cambridge Turbos, runners-up were the Richmond Hill Lightning, and the Edmonton WAM! finished in third.

2014–15 National Ringette League seasonNumber of teamsSeason championsPlaceTeam
14[[File:Simple cup icon.svg]] Cambridge Turbos
Ontario Cambridge Turbos
Ontario Richmond Hill Lightning
Alberta Edmonton WAM!
4thAlberta Calgary RATH
5thQuebec Montreal Mission
6thOntario Ottawa Ice
7thOntario Waterloo Wildfire
8thOntario Gloucester Devils

2015–16 The 2015–16 NRL Championship finals were played at the 2016 Canadian Ringette Championships in London, Ontario. The 2015–16 season's winners were the Cambridge Turbos, runners-up were the Gloucester Devils, and the Ottawa Ice finished in third.

2015–16 National Ringette League seasonNumber of teamsSeason championsPlaceTeam
15[[File:Simple cup icon.svg]] Cambridge Turbos
Ontario Cambridge Turbos
Ontario Gloucester Devils
Ontario Ottawa Ice
4thAlberta Edmonton WAM!
5thQuebec Montreal Mission
6thAlberta Calgary RATH
7thNew Brunswick Atlantic Attack
8thAlberta Edmonton Black Gold Rush

2016–17 The 2016–17 NRL Championship finals were played at the 2017 Canadian Ringette Championships in Leduc, Alberta.

2016–17 National Ringette League seasonNumber of teamsSeason championsPlaceTeam
16[[File:Simple cup icon.svg]] Cambridge Turbos
Ontario Cambridge Turbos
New Brunswick Atlantic Attack
Ontario Waterloo Wildfire
4thOntario Richmond Hill Lightning
5thAlberta Edmonton WAM!
6thAlberta Calgary RATH
7thOntario Ottawa Ice
8thAlberta Edmonton Black Gold Rush

2017–18 The 2017–18 NRL season began on September 30, 2017, and ended on April 14, 2018. The 2018 Canadian Ringette Championships took place in Winnipeg, Manitoba, from April 9 to 14, 2018.

2017–18 National Ringette League seasonNumber of teamsSeason championsPlaceTeam
15[[File:Simple cup icon.svg]] Atlantic Attack
New Brunswick Atlantic Attack
Alberta Edmonton WAM!
Ontario Cambridge Turbos
4thAlberta Calgary RATH
5thOntario Richmond Hill Lightning
6thQuebec Montreal Mission
7thQuebec Gatineau Fusion
8thManitoba Manitoba Intact

2018–19 The 2018–19 season's winners were the Calgary RATH, runners-up were the Atlantic Attack, and the Cambridge Turbos finished in third.

2018–19 National Ringette League seasonNumber of teamsSeason championsPlaceTeam
[[File:Simple cup icon.svg]] Calgary RATH
Alberta Calgary RATH
New Brunswick Atlantic Attack
Ontario Cambridge Turbos
4thOntario Waterloo Wildfire
5thAlberta Edmonton WAM!
6thQuebec Montreal Mission
7thManitoba Manitoba Intact
8thOntario Ottawa Ice

2019–21

The 2019–20 and 2020–21 National Ringette League seasons were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

2021–22 The 2021–22 season saw the league begin playing in a hub-format due to the COVID-19 pandemic. While the league previously played 15 teams, it was reduced to 12 for the season. 5 teams had withdrawn, including: BC Thunder, Bourassa Royal, Richmond Hill Lightning, Lac-Saint-Louis Adrenaline, and the Ottawa Ice. However, two new teams joined: the Nepean Ravens and the Saskatchewan Heat. The Manitoba Intact were renamed the Manitoba Herd.

The season's winners were the Calgary RATH, runners-up were the Edmonton WAM!, and the Cambridge Turbos finished in third.

2021–22 National Ringette League seasonNumber of teamsSeason championsPlaceTeam
12[[File:Simple cup icon.svg]] Calgary RATH
Alberta Calgary RATH
Alberta Edmonton WAM!
Ontario Cambridge Turbos
4thNew Brunswick Atlantic Attack
5thQuebec Rive Sud Révolution
6thManitoba Manitoba Herd
7thOntario Waterloo Wildfire
8thQuebec Gatineau Fusion
9thQuebec Montreal Mission
10thAlberta Edmonton Black Gold Rush
11thOntario Nepean Ravens
12thSaskatchewan Saskatchewan Heat

2022–23 The 2023 Canadian Ringette Championships were hosted in Regina, Saskatchewan from April 9–15, 2023.

2022–23 National Ringette League seasonNumber of teamsSeason championsPlaceTeam
13[[File:Simple cup icon.svg]] Edmonton WAM!
Alberta Edmonton WAM!
Quebec Montreal Mission
Alberta Calgary RATH
4thOntario Waterloo Wildfire

2023–24

The 2024 Canadian Ringette Championships were hosted in Dieppe, New Brunswick from April 7–13, 2024.

2023–24 National Ringette League seasonNumber of teamsSeason championsPlaceTeam
13[[File:Simple cup icon.svg]] Edmonton WAM!
Alberta Edmonton WAM!
Alberta Calgary RATH
Ontario Waterloo Wildfire
4thQuebec Montreal Mission

2023–24

Broadcasting

The National Ringette League championship final has usually been broadcast on Rogers TV.

Team history

Over thirty teams have competed in the NRL during different periods of the league's existence. The first NRL season began in November 2004 with 17 teams. During the second NRL season in 2005–06, two new teams joined the league bringing the league total to nineteen. The teams were then divided into four conferences. However, during the off season, three teams folded, citing low attendance revenue.

Two teams in the province of Manitoba folded prior to 2016, the Manitoba Jets and the Winnipeg Prairie Fire. A new Manitoba team was created in 2016, the Manitoba Intact. The Manitoba Intact competed in the NRL Western Conference. For the 2021–22 season, the Intact were renamed the Manitoba Herd.

For the 2021–22 season, the National Ringette League had a number of teams withdraw from the league for various reasons, primarily due to COVID-19. For the prior 2020–21 season, the NRL had fifteen teams competing, with the BC Thunder failing to put forward a team and withdrawing. In 2021–2022 a new team was formed in Ontario, the Nepean Ravens, and the NRL returned to Saskatchewan with a new team, the Saskatchewan Heat. For the 2022–23 season, the BC Thunder rejoined the league. On January 13, 2025, the League announced that the Rocky Mountain Rage would begin play in the 2025–26 season.

( = returned to league)*

National Ringette League teamsTOTAL
Total current (13)Total defunct or inactive (22)
British Columbia
Current (1)Defunct/Inactive (4)
*British Columbia BC Thunder
(returned to league after 2021–22 withdrawal)British Columbia Lower Mainland Thunder (aka LMRL Thunder)
British Columbia BC Reign
British Columbia Fraser Valley Avalanche⁣
*British Columbia BC Thunder withdrew for the 2021–22 season
(announced October 2021)
Alberta
Current (3)Defunct/Inactive (1)
Alberta Edmonton WAM!Alberta Edmonton Edge
Alberta Calgary RATH
Alberta Edmonton Black Gold Rush
Saskatchewan
Current (1)Defunct/Inactive (1)
Saskatchewan Saskatchewan HeatSaskatchewan Saskatoon Wild⁣
Manitoba
Current (1)Defunct/Inactive (7)
Manitoba Manitoba HerdManitoba APFG Sixers
(Assiniboine Park/Fort Garry)
Manitoba Eastman Flames
Manitoba BoniVital Angels (BVRA)
(St. Boniface and St. Vital areas (District 5) of Winnipeg, Manitoba)
Manitoba Manitoba Moose
Manitoba Manitoba Prairie Fire
Manitoba Winnipeg Prairie Fire
Manitoba Manitoba Jets
Manitoba Manitoba Intact
Ontario
Current (3)Defunct/Inactive (4)
Ontario Nepean RavensOntario Gloucester Devils(withdrew in 2017)⁣
Ontario Waterloo WildfireOntario Whitby Wild
Ontario Cambridge TurbosOntario Richmond Hill Lightning
Ontario Ottawa Ice
Quebec
Current (3)Defunct/Inactive (4)
Quebec Gatineau FusionQuebec Bourassa Royal
Quebec Montreal MissionQuebec Lac-Saint-Louis Adrenaline (LSL)
Quebec Rive-Sud RévolutionQuebec Quebec City Cyclones
Quebec BLL Nordiques (Bourassa-Laval-Lanaudière)
Atlantic Provinces
Current (1)Defunct/Inactive (0)
New Brunswick Atlantic AttackAtlantic Sixers

Regular season team records

Initial record was from 2007–08 season. Stats updated as of end of 2017–18 season. Teams in italics no longer compete in the National Ringette League as of the 2021–22 season.

TeamSeasonGPWLSOLGDNPPt
Atlantic Attack7186958290199
Rive-Sud Révolution11309109188121230
Montreal Mission1130824453112499
Edmonton Black Gold Rush37419478046
Calgary RATH1025016167220340
Edmonton WAM!1025015185140316
Cambridge Turbos1130926131171539
Gatineau Fusion1027972193140158
Waterloo Wildfire11309134158171285
BC Reign118018020
Gloucester Devils10288150117210321
Manitoba Jets410340558188
Prairie Fire5127913151187
Quebec City Cyclones61828780150189
Saskatoon Wild410424764052
Whitby Wild4123238911057
Bourassa Royal1131086207align:center;"170189
Lac St.Louis Adrenaline1130889204152193
BC Thunder6151677680142
Manitoba Intact24826184056
Ottawa Ice1130720882173433
Richmond Hill Lighting11308178113172373

Notable people

Keely Brown

Main article: Keely Brown (goaltender)

Keely Brown, a former Team Canada ringette goaltender and coach, played for the Edmonton WAM! for 10 years as its goaltender and helped form the National Ringette League in 2002 and 2003. She has been inducted into the Ringette Canada Hall of Fame.

Terry McAdam

Terry McAdam from Saskatchewan was inducted into the Ringette Canada Hall of Fame in 2021. McAdam was instrumental in helping begin the development of the National Ringette League as well as one of its first teams, the Saskatoon Wild. During its time in the NRL, the Wild had also acquired Erin Cumpstone.

Erin Cumpston

Erin Cumpstone was a player for the NRL's Saskatoon Wild and was also a member of Canada's 2010 National Ringette Team during the 2010 World Ringette Championships. Cumpstone also played ringette at the 1999 Canada Winter Games. She was also a highly accomplished softball player and played for Canada's women's national softball team which finished in 5th place at the 2004 Summer Olympics. Cumpston later became a coach for the National Ringette League's, Saskatchewan Heat.

Salla Kyhälä

Salla Kyhälä is one of a number of ringette players from Finland who competed in the NRL. Kyhälä played for the now defunct NRL team, the Saskatoon Wild, and also played for the Finland national ringette team and SM Ringette

Anna Vanhatalo

Anna Vanhatalo was a goaltender for the Montreal Mission. Originally from Finland, Vanhatalo also played for Finland's national ringette team in 2004 and 2007.

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  18. {{in lang. fr [http://www.cyberpresse.ca/le-droit/sports/200810/17/01-30415-le-fusion-de-gatineau-lance-sa-saison-inaugurale.php Le Fusion de Gatineau lance sa saison inaugurale]
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  70. "GCRA Member Notice: Devils NRL Team".
  71. Western conference did not play any match this season.
  72. Stands for games did not play
  73. Defunct team
  74. Inactive team
  75. Include four seasons as [[Bourassa Royal. BLL Nordiques]]
  76. Include one season as [[BC Thunder. LMRL Thunder]].
  77. (November 14, 2021). "Fifth Saskatchewan person inducted to ringette Hall of Fame". [[Global News]].
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  82. (April 10, 2010). "Ringette Canada {{!}} Salla Kyhala – forward – Saskatoon Wild {{!}} NRL Division First line all star". Ringette Canada.
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