National Ringette League facts for kids
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| Sport | Ringette |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2002 |
| Inaugural season | 2004 |
| Divisions | Western Conference, Eastern Conference Red, Eastern Conference White |
| No. of teams | 13 |
| Country |  Canada |
| Most recent champion(s) |
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| Most titles | Cambridge Turbos (6 times) |
The National Ringette League (NRL) is the top league for the sport of ringette in North America. It's Canada's national league for skilled ringette players who are 18 years old and older. Ringette is unique because all its players are girls and women. This makes the NRL the first and only winter team sports league in North America where all athletes are women and non-binary individuals.
The NRL is a semi-professional league. It helps show off ringette talent in North America. The league is run by Ringette Canada, which is a non-profit group that manages ringette in Canada. Finland has a similar league called SM Ringette.
Contents
How the League Started
Ringette is a Canadian sport that began in 1963 in North Bay, Ontario. For the first ten years, it was mostly played in Ontario and Quebec. But the sport quickly grew! Now, over 30,000 players and 50,000 people are involved in ringette across Canada.
The idea for the National Ringette League came after Canada won the gold medal at the 2002 World Ringette Championships in Edmonton, Alberta. Keely Brown, a former goalie for Team Canada, was very important in starting the NRL. The league was officially founded in 2002 and started playing games in 2003. Its first full season began in November 2004. That first season had seventeen teams divided into three groups across the country.
The Jeanne Sauvé Memorial Cup
The National Ringette League playoffs started in 2008. They happen every year at the Canadian Ringette Championships (CRC) to decide the league champion. The winning team gets the Jeanne Sauvé Memorial Cup. This cup is named after Canada's first female Governor General, Jeanne Sauvé.
In 2009, the TV show Rick Mercer Report featured the NRL's Cambridge Turbos in an episode called "Ringette Night In Canada." In 2013, a short film called 'Tout le monde dehors – La Ringuette' was shown on TV. It focused on the NRL's Gatineau Fusion team and a person named Yvon Brault, who loves the sport.
How Teams Compete
Teams in the NRL play in two main groups:
- The Western Conference has teams from British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba.
- The Eastern Conference is split into two smaller groups, Red and White. It includes teams from Ontario, Quebec, and Atlantic Canada.
Today, the league often plays in "hub-style tournaments." This means a team might host one or two tournaments at home and travel for four or five others each season. NRL games have four periods, and each period lasts 13 minutes.
The NRL is a "closed league," which means teams don't move up or down to different leagues based on how well they play. Each year, there's a draft where new players can join the league. The NRL also has regional drafts to pick players from different areas. Teams can also trade players with each other.
Some players from the NRL are chosen to play for Canada's national ringette teams. The league also has international players, especially from Finland. Sometimes, players even move between Canada's NRL and Finland's semi-professional league, SM Ringette.
The NRL works with younger ringette leagues to help develop new players. Many NRL teams have special development teams for players under 19 and under 16 years old. The championships for these younger age groups happen at the same time and place as the NRL playoff tournament. This helps scouts find talented young athletes who might play in the NRL in the future.
In 2008, the budget for each NRL team was about $15,000 to $20,000. The teams and the league help pay for travel, places to stay, and arena rentals. However, players usually pay for their own equipment and personal costs, and they are not paid to play.
League Background
More than thirty different teams have played in the NRL since it started in 2004. For the 2021–22 season, there were 12 teams playing in a "hub format" because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Before that, there were 15 teams.
The Cambridge Turbos have won the most NRL titles. Two teams that are no longer active, the Lower Mainland Thunder (from British Columbia) and the Ottawa Ice (from Ontario), also won a Canadian Ringette Championship and the Jeanne Sauvé Memorial Cup. The LMRL Thunder won in 2011–12, and the Ottawa Ice won in 2013–14.
In the 2005–06 season, the league had 19 teams, which is the most teams in one season in NRL history. That season also marked the first time the NRL Championship was held.
How the NRL Championship Works
The NRL Championship is played every year by the eight best teams in the league. It happens at the Canadian Ringette Championships.
Championship History
In 2010–11, a new "NRL Championship Tournament" was introduced. This tournament took place in just one city. The idea was to make it a bigger event for the media and fans. The top ten teams from the regular season played in this tournament.
Since 2011–12, eight teams play in a round-robin style tournament to decide the champion. This is often called the "Elite Eight."
Awards and Special Honors
Jeanne Sauvé Memorial Cup
The final competition for the National Ringette League happens every year at the Canadian Ringette Championships. The Jeanne Sauvé Memorial Cup is the trophy given to the winning team. It was first given out at the 1985 Canadian Ringette Championships in Dollard-des-Ormeaux, Québec.
NRL Annual Awards
At the end of March, before the National Ringette League Championships, the league announces who is nominated for its annual awards. The winners are announced at a special banquet during the Canadian Ringette Championships. These awards celebrate the best players and coaches during the regular season. Some of the awards include:
- Rookie of the Year (for new players)
- Most Valuable Player
- Top Forward
- Top Centre
- Top Defence
- Top Goalkeeper
- Coaching Staff of the Year
- NRL Top Scorer
Teams in the League
Top right: Bourassa Royal in 2012.
Bottom: Atlantic Attack in 2016.
As of the 2024–25 season, there are 13 teams in the NRL, and all of them are based in Canada. The number of teams can change each season as new teams join or existing teams leave.
Current Teams
| Team | City/Area | Founded | Cups | G | S | B |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Western Conference | ||||||
| BC Thunder |  British Columbia |
2011 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Edmonton Black Gold Rush |  Edmonton, Alberta |
2015 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Calgary RATH | Calgary, Alberta |
2007 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 |
| Edmonton WAM! | Edmonton, Alberta |
2004 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 2 |
| Manitoba Herd |  Winnipeg, Manitoba |
2021 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Saskatchewan Heat |  Saskatoon, Saskatchewan |
2021 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Eastern Conference | ||||||
| Gatineau Fusion |  Gatineau, Quebec |
2008 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Cambridge Turbos |  Cambridge, Ontario |
2003 | 6 | 6 | 3 | 4 |
| Waterloo Wildfire | Waterloo, Ontario |
2004 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Nepean Ravens | Nepean, Ontario |
2021 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Atlantic Attack |  Cocagne, New Brunswick |
2011 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Montréal Mission | Montréal, Quebec |
2004 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 |
| Rive-Sud Révolution | South Shore, Quebec |
2004 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Former NRL Teams | ||||||
| Ottawa Ice | Ottawa, Ontario |
2005 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| Gloucester Devils | Gloucester, Ontario |
2004 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Winnipeg Prairie Fire | Winnipeg, Manitoba |
2006 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| LMRL Thunder | British Columbia |
2011 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Western Conference Teams
Edmonton Black Gold Rush
| Edmonton Black Gold Rush | |
|---|---|
| Nickname | Rushies |
| City | Edmonton, Alberta |
| League | National Ringette League |
| Conference | Western |
| Division | Western |
| Founded | 2015 |
| Colours | grey, gold, black, red |
| Franchise history | |
| 2015 to present | Edmonton Black Gold Rush (NRL) |
| Championships | |
| Playoff championships | Canadian Ringette Championships (NRL): |
 Current season |
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The Edmonton Black Gold Rush (also known as "The Rush" or "Rushies") is a ringette team in the National Ringette League (NRL). They are based in Edmonton, Alberta. The team plays in the NRL Western Conference and started in 2015.
Eastern Conference Teams
Waterloo Wildfire
| Waterloo Wildfire | |
|---|---|
| City | Waterloo, Ontario |
| League | National Ringette League |
| Conference | Eastern |
| Division | Red |
| Founded | Error: first parameter is missing. |
| Colours | black, white, yellow, red, /> |
| Championships | |
| Playoff championships | Canadian Ringette Championships (NRL): |
| Current season |
|
The Waterloo Wildfire is a ringette team in the National Ringette League (NRL). They are based in Waterloo, Ontario. The team plays in the Red Division of the NRL Eastern Conference.
Nepean Ravens
| Nepean Ravens | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| City | Nepean, Ontario | ||
| League | NRL | ||
| Conference | Eastern | ||
| Division | Red Division | ||
| Founded | 2021 | ||
| Colours | Blue, white, black |
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| Franchise history | |||
| 2021 to present | Nepean Ravens (NRL) | ||
| Current season |
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The Nepean Ravens is a ringette team in the National Ringette League (NRL). They are based in Nepean, Ontario (which is part of Ottawa). The team plays in the Red Division of the NRL Eastern Conference and started in 2021.
Gatineau Fusion
| Gatineau Fusion | |
|---|---|
| City | Gatineau, Quebec |
| League | National Ringette League |
| Conference | Eastern |
| Division | Red |
| Founded | 2008 |
| Colours | white, blue, black, |
| Championships | |
| Playoff championships | Canadian Ringette Championships (NRL): |
| Current season |
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The Gatineau Fusion is a ringette team in the National Ringette League (NRL). They are based in Gatineau, Quebec. The team plays in the Red Division of the NRL Eastern Conference and started in 2008.
Rive-Sud Révolution
| Rive-Sud Révolution | |
|---|---|
| City | Montérégie, Québec |
| League | National Ringette League |
| Conference | Eastern |
| Division | White |
| Founded | 2004 |
| Colours | black, orange-red, grey |
| Franchise history | |
| 2004 to present | Rive–Sud Révolution (NRL) |
| Current season |
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The Rive-Sud Révolution (which means "South Shore Revolution" in English) is a ringette team in the National Ringette League (NRL). They are based in Montérégie, a region in southwestern Québec. The Revolution plays in the White Division of the NRL Eastern Conference and started in 2004. It is one of the oldest teams in the NRL.
The team's home arena is in Québec, and its main office is in South Shore, Montreal. The South Shore area is part of the Montérégie region. The team also has a younger team called the U19 South Shore Revolution.
Some players from the Rive-Sud Révolution have played for the Canada national ringette team at the World Ringette Championships (WRC). For example, Julie Primard played for Team Canada in 2007, 2010, and 2013.
National Ringette League Champions
The National Ringette League (NRL) champions are decided each year at the Canadian Ringette Championships. The seasons in 2019–20 and 2020–21 were canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
List of NRL Champions by Season
Here are the winners of the Jeanne Sauvé Memorial Cup at the Canadian Ringette Championships:
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NRL Final Standings Season by Season
The table below shows the winners of the Jeanne Sauvé Memorial Cup and the teams that won gold, silver, and bronze medals in the NRL.
| Season | Location | Gold | Silver | Bronze |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003–04 (CRC Open) |
Calgary |
Alberta | Ontario Wild Card | Manitoba |
| 2004–05 (CRC Open) |
Winnipeg |
Alberta | Ontario | Ontario Wild Card |
| 2005–06 (CRC Open) |
Longueuil |
Cambridge Turbos (Ontario) |
Alberta | Quebec |
| 2006–07 (CRC Open) |
 Halifax |
Edmonton WAM! (Alberta) |
Western Wild Card | Ontario |
| National Ringette League division established | ||||
| 2007–08 | St. Albert |
Cambridge Turbos | Montreal Mission | Calgary RATH |
| 2008–09 |  Charlottetown |
Cambridge Turbos | Edmonton WAM! | Montreal Mission |
| 2009–10 | Saskatoon |
Edmonton WAM! | Cambridge Turbos | Winnipeg Prairie Fire |
| 2010–11 | Cambridge |
Edmonton WAM! | Cambridge Turbos | Calgary RATH |
| 2011–12 | Burnaby |
LMRL Thunder (Lower Mainland Ringette League) | Montreal Mission | Ottawa Ice |
| 2012–13 | Fredericton |
Calgary RATH | Winnipeg Prairie Fire | Cambridge Turbos |
| 2013–14 | Regina |
Ottawa Ice | Cambridge Turbos | Edmonton WAM! |
| 2014–15 | Wood Buffalo |
Cambridge Turbos | Richmond Hill Lightning | Edmonton WAM! |
| 2015–16 | London |
Cambridge Turbos | Gloucester Devils | Ottawa Ice |
| 2016–17 | Leduc |
Cambridge Turbos | Atlantic Attack | Waterloo Wildfire |
| 2017–18 | Winnipeg |
Atlantic Attack | Edmonton WAM! | Cambridge Turbos |
| 2018–19 | Charlottetown and Summerside |
Calgary RATH | Atlantic Attack | Cambridge Turbos |
| 2019–20 | Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic | |||
| 2020–21 | Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic | |||
| 2021–22 | Calgary |
Calgary RATH | Edmonton WAM! | Cambridge Turbos |
| 2022–23 | Regina |
Edmonton WAM! | Montreal Mission | Calgary RATH |
| 2023–24 | Dieppe |
Edmonton WAM! | Calgary RATH | Waterloo Wildfire |
Notable People in the NRL
Keely Brown
Keely Brown was a goalie and coach for Team Canada. She played for the Edmonton WAM! for 10 years and helped create the National Ringette League in 2002 and 2003. She is now in the Ringette Canada Hall of Fame.
Terry McAdam
Terry McAdam from Saskatchewan was added to the Ringette Canada Hall of Fame in 2021. He was very important in starting the National Ringette League and one of its first teams, the Saskatoon Wild.
Erin Cumpstone
Erin Cumpstone played for the NRL's Saskatoon Wild and was also on Canada's 2010 National Ringette Team. She also played ringette at the 1999 Canada Winter Games. Erin was also a great softball player and played for Canada's women's national softball team at the 2004 Summer Olympics. Later, Cumpstone became a coach for the National Ringette League's Saskatchewan Heat.
Salla Kyhälä
Salla Kyhälä is one of several ringette players from Finland who played in the NRL. Kyhälä played for the Saskatoon Wild (which is no longer active) and also for the Finland national ringette team and SM Ringette.
Anna Vanhatalo
Anna Vanhatalo was a goalie for the Montreal Mission. She is from Finland and also played for Finland's national ringette team in 2004 and 2007.
Images for kids
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2019 NRL Silver: Atlantic Attack
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Atlantic Attack players: 2018
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Atlantic Attack: 2016 NRL Playoffs
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Montreal Mission: 2012
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Bourassa Royal vs Montreal Mission: 2012
See also
SM-Ringette – a semi-professional ringette league in Finland.
Ringette Dam-SM – a semi-professional ringette league in Sweden.- International Competitions
