Ridgetown joining NPHL

The Ridgetown Royals are joining the Northern Premier Hockey League (NPHL), joining the Metropolitan Conference for the 2026 season as a senior hockey expansion franchise.

Ridgetown will have built-in geographical rivalries with the Tilbury Bluebirds and the Alvinston Killer Bees.

The Royals played their only season in the American Premier Hockey League (APHL) this past year. The Royals experienced some success, losing in the APHL Eastern Conference finals to Buffalo.

In the regular season, Ridgetown had a 19-5-0-0 record. Nolan Vandenboom led the team in goals (34) and points (63).