National Basketball League (Canada)

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The National Basketball League that was based in Canada lasted only one and a half seasons in 1993 and 1994. It rose from the ashes of the World Basketball League which folded after the 1992 season, which had teams in various Canadian and American cities. The NBL's first game was played on May 1, 1993 when the Cape Breton Breakers visited the Halifax Windjammers. The Breakes won the regular season championship with a 30-16 record. But they lost the championship finals to Saskatoon three games to one.

During the 1994 season there were rumours that the Cape Breton team was going to move to Saint John in mid-season, which never happened before the league folded on July 9, 1994. Halifax, which finished last in 1993, was in first place at the time the league had folded.

The league's president was Sam Katz and the commissioner was Tom Nissalke.

[edit] NBL Teams

Team City Arena Seasons Notes
Calgary Outlaws Calgary, Alberta Olympic Saddledome 1994 Expansion team
Cape Breton Breakers Sydney, Nova Scotia Centre 200 1993-94 Expansion team
Halifax Windjammers Halifax, Nova Scotia Halifax Metro Centre 1993-94 Holdover from the WBL
Edmonton Skyhawks Edmonton, Alberta Northlands Coliseum 1993 (playoffs)-94 Moved from Hamilton
Hamilton Skyhawks Hamilton, Ontario Copps Coliseum 1993 Holdover from the WBL, moved to Edmonton
Montreal Dragons Montreal, Quebec Verdun Arena 1993 Expansion team
Saskatoon Slam Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Saskatchewan Place 1993-94 Expansion team
Winnipeg Thunder Winnipeg, Manitoba Winnipeg Arena 1993-94 Holdover from the WBL

[edit] Touring Teams

In 1993, league teams also played games against some touring teams which counted in the league standings. These teams were:

[edit] League Champions

1993 Saskatoon Slam
1994 Halifax Windjammers (unofficial)
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