The North of Superior Junior B Hockey League was the brain-child of Chris Joubert of Terrace Bay, Ontario.

The first season, 1996–97, the league consisted of the Aguasabon River Rats, Longlac Merchants, Marathon Renegades, and Wawa Travellers.

[4] In 1997, the Hearst Elans, who played previously under Hockey Quebec, joined the league and made an instant impact.

The Thessalon Flyers were officially defunct as their owner was thrown out of Hockey Canada for shady business practices.

The Wawa Travellers have attempted ever since the folding of the NSHL to enter the SIJHL, but lack a core financial sponsor.