The Gazette

of the North American Hockey League
Being a Faithful Record of Fantasy Hockey Affairs
Monday Edition, October 5, 2026Official Organ of the N.A.H.L.Price: One Waiver Claim

Spryfield Runs Amok; The Waiver Wire Sells Souvenirs

Final figures for Period 1, September 29 through October 4. Seven matches, fourteen clubs, and one goaltender who simply would not be denied.

Vintage photograph of a goalie diving at a puck on a snowy outdoor rink
Shesterkin's 29.75, as reconstructed by our staff photographer. Weston's shooters are still looking for the gap.

The Week That Was: A Full Accounting

Ancaster Avalanche. They put up 106.75 and buried Madison. Connor led with 19.5, MacKinnon added 17, and Malkin chipped in 14.75. The Avalanche came down the mountain all at once, which is how avalanches prefer to do business.

Madison Millionaires. They scored 85.25, the best losing score in the league, and lost to Ancaster anyway. Bouchard put up 37 from the blue line, the finest single effort of the week, and Swayman added 23.5 in goal. The Millionaires have learned that money cannot buy a win, though it can rent a very respectable loss.

Spryfield Winning Streaks. They hung 121.75 on Weston, the league high, and did it with a goaltender leading the way. Shesterkin posted 29.75, Hronek added 19.25, and Aho 16. Main Street has ordered a parade, a brass band, and a larger hat for the general manager.

Weston Steamrollers. They scored 84, which would have beaten five other clubs this week, and lost by nearly thirty-eight. McDavid matched Shesterkin with 29.75 and Guenther added 20, proving that two men can push a steamroller, just not uphill.

Oakville Acorns. They beat London 94.75 to 76.75. Draisaitl led with 23 and Eichel added 16.5. The Acorns have planted themselves near the top of the table and show no sign of being raked up.

London Knights. They managed 76.75 in defeat, led by Montour with 9.75, which tells you most of what you need to know about the rest of the roster. The Knights spent the week polishing their armour instead of wearing it.

Summerside Sea Dawgs. They edged Milton 83.5 to 77 behind V. Dunn's 16.75 and Schmaltz's 16.25. A defenseman and a fellow named for chicken fat carried the day. The Sea Dawgs fear nothing and season everything.

Milton Maniacs. They scored 77 and lost by 6.5. E. Pettersson gave 19.75 and received no thanks whatsoever. The Maniacs are taking it calmly, which has everyone in the league office very nervous.

Hamilton Five Hole. They beat Halifax 84.75 to 66.5. Theodore posted 16.75 and Q. Hughes 16.25, two defensemen doing the forwards' work, which is how Hamilton likes it. For one week at least, the five hole belonged to the other fellow.

Halifax Hurricanes. They managed 66.5, the second-lowest mark in the league. Markstrom made 16 in goal and spent the rest of the week wondering where everyone else had gone. More of a stiff breeze than a hurricane.

Grimsby Guzzlers. They downed Brudenell 100.5 to 71.75. Sorokin poured in 21.25 from the crease and A. Fox added 14.75. The Guzzlers drank deep and did not spill a drop.

Brudenell Black Hawks. They scored 71.75 and lost by 28.75. Celebrini led with 14.25. The front office then made the shrewdest move of the week by claiming Eriksson Ek off the wire, which is more than the scoreboard did for them.

North York Shire Pudding. They beat Regina 71 to 65.5, the lowest winning score of the week, but a win is a win. Askarov led with 16.5 in goal. The pudding was not pretty, but it was served hot.

Regina Grizzlies. They scored 65.5, the league's lowest, and lost by 5.5. Gauthier did his part with 15.25. Management has reportedly requested a second telegraph key and a larger supply of waiver forms.

Strange but True

Strange but True!

Wild Boy Found in Jungle; Stickhandles Better Than Spryfield

A wild boy dangling a puck on a frozen jungle pond

An expedition deep in the tropics has returned with astonishing news: a youth raised by jungle creatures, found dangling a puck on a mysteriously frozen pond beneath the palms. He speaks no known language but responds instantly to the words "waiver claim." The explorers rate his hands above anything seen in Spryfield, though they concede they have not been to Spryfield. Regina reportedly put in a claim before the explorers had finished their tea.

Believe It or Don't!

Saucer from Beyond the Stars Abducts Puck During Overtime

A flying saucer beaming a puck up from an outdoor rink

Spectators at an outdoor rink were astonished when a silver craft descended from the night sky and beamed the puck straight up in the middle of a rush, leaving both teams staring at the heavens with their sticks in the air. The referee ruled it "no goal, possibly no Earth." Martian scouts are now said to be interested only in Spryfield, having seen their Week 1 totals from orbit. Weston's manager reportedly offered his goalie in exchange for a ray gun.

Vintage photograph of a newsboy holding up a paper
Extra! Extra! Spryfield scores 121.75! Newsboys hoarse by noon, Weston fans hoarse by ten.

Looking Ahead

1920s photograph of a crowded goalmouth scramble
Period 2, previewed: everyone in the crease, nobody quite sure where the puck went.

Period 2 opens Monday. Spryfield draws Milton, Madison meets Weston, Oakville takes on Grimsby, and Regina gets Brudenell, a pairing the schedule makers swear was drawn from a hat.

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Closing Jab

Spryfield leads the league in points, swagger, and parade permits. Enjoy it, gentlemen. Friday comes for everyone.

A Message from the League President

Portrait of the League President
The Hon. League President, seen here reviewing the Week 1 scoring and finding it acceptable.

FELLOW SPORTSMEN,

Week One is complete, and I am pleased to report that every club in the league scored at least sixty-five points. The league office considers this a triumph of low expectations.

To the Madison Millionaires: 85.25 is the best losing score in the league. The office has commissioned a small ribbon in your honour. It is beige.

Several managers have asked whether the waiver wire is rigged. It is not. It is merely faster than you. Further inquiries may be directed to the Brudenell front office, which appears to be the only one that read the instructions.

Yours in sport and cautious optimism,
THE PRESIDENT
North American Hockey League