The North Central Hockey League will operate with eight teams this season.

At the fall meeting held on Sunday, Sept. 25 in Hamiota, team from Foxwarren, Rivers and Swan River were accepted, while the Kenton Cougars were granted a one-year leave of absence. Teams returning from the 2015-16 season are Grandview, Miniota-Elkhorn, Moosomin, Russell and Virden.

The teams will be split into North and South Divisions, with teams playing a double home and home within their division and a single home and home with the other division for a total of 20 games.

Wendell Reimer of Antler, SK was elected president and league commissioner, with Rick Brethour of Hamiota and Brent Fortune of Cardale serving as vice-presidents. Linda Thomson of Rivers will be the secretary-treasurer.

Randy Kalynuk of Virden will return as referee-in-chief, while Greg Nesbitt of Shoal Lake also returns as statistician.