NHL

On November 26, 1917, representatives of four National Hockey Association clubs founded the NHL in Montreal. A Toronto club joined afterward.⁠[1]

The NHL expanded into the United States in 1924. Following the departure of rival major professional leagues, the Stanley Cup became an exclusively NHL competition in 1926–27 and the symbol of its championship.⁠[1][2]

After the Brooklyn Americans ceased play in 1942, the NHL consisted of the Boston BruinsBoston BruinsBoston Bruins is a professional ice hockey team headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, United States, competing in the NHL’s Eastern Conference and playing at TD Garden. On November 1, 1924, Charles Adams secured the NHL’s first U.S. franchise; the team played its first league game on December 1 that year and later became one of the NHL’s Original Six. Boston has won six Stanley Cups, in 1929, 1939, 1941, 1970, 1972 and 2011. The team is operated by Boston Professional Hockey Association, Inc., and has been owned by Jeremy Jacobs since 1975. Its president is Cam Neely, general manager Don Sweeney and head coach Marco Sturm. David Pastrnak became the franchise’s 28th captain on September 27, 2026.Open the full entry, Chicago BlackhawksChicago BlackhawksThe Chicago Blackhawks are a professional ice hockey team in the National Hockey League (NHL), competing in the Central Division of the Western Conference and playing home games at Chicago’s United Center. The franchise was admitted to the NHL on September 25, 1926, with Frederic McLaughlin credited as its founder. One of the NHL’s Original Six teams, it used the two-word spelling Black Hawks until 1986. The club has won six Stanley Cups, in 1934, 1938, 1961, 2010, 2013 and 2015. The Wirtz family has held sole control since 1966, and Danny Wirtz has served as chairman since 2023.Open the full entry, Detroit Red WingsDetroit Red WingsThe Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. An Original Six member of the National Hockey League (NHL), they play at Little Caesars Arena.Open the full entry, Montreal CanadiensMontréal CanadiensThe Montreal Canadiens, known in French as the Canadiens de Montréal, are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal, Quebec. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) and play at the Bell Centre.Open the full entry, New York RangersNew York RangersThe New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in New York City. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) and play at Madison Square Garden in Manhattan.Open the full entry and Toronto Maple LeafsToronto Maple LeafsToronto Maple Leafs is an NHL ice hockey team in Toronto, Ontario, playing at Scotiabank Arena.Open the full entry. These opponents remained together for a quarter century and became known as the Original Six. The term describes that historical era rather than the league’s founding membership.⁠[3]

For 1967–68, the NHL added the Los Angeles KingsLos Angeles KingsThe Los Angeles Kings, also known as the LA Kings, are a professional ice hockey team based in Los Angeles, California. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) and play at Crypto.com Arena.Open the full entry, Minnesota North StarsDallas StarsThe Dallas Stars are a professional ice hockey team based in Dallas, Texas, competing in the National Hockey League (NHL). They play at American Airlines Center and continue the history of the Minnesota North Stars.Open the full entry, Philadelphia FlyersPhiladelphia FlyersThe Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) and play at Xfinity Mobile Arena.Open the full entry, Pittsburgh PenguinsPittsburgh PenguinsThe Pittsburgh Penguins are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) and play at PPG Paints Arena.Open the full entry, St. Louis BluesSt. Louis BluesSt. Louis Blues is an NHL ice hockey team in St. Louis, Missouri, playing at Enterprise Center.Open the full entry and California Seals, doubling from six teams to twelve. The newcomers shared the West Division, guaranteeing an expansion club a place in the Stanley Cup Final.⁠[4][5][6]

In June, player representatives from the six established clubs reconstituted the NHL Players’ Association as a labour organization representing players’ interests.⁠[7]

The Buffalo SabresBuffalo SabresBuffalo Sabres is an NHL ice hockey team in Buffalo, New York, playing at KeyBank Center. The club began NHL competition in 1970–71.Open the full entry and Vancouver CanucksVancouver CanucksVancouver Canucks is an NHL ice hockey team in Vancouver, British Columbia, playing at Rogers Arena.Open the full entry joined in 1970, followed by the New York IslandersNew York IslandersThe New York Islanders are a professional ice hockey team representing Long Island, New York. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) and play at UBS Arena in Elmont.Open the full entry and Atlanta FlamesCalgary FlamesCalgary Flames is an NHL ice hockey team in Calgary, Alberta, playing at Scotiabank Saddledome. The franchise began play as the Atlanta Flames in 1972.Open the full entry in 1972 and the Washington CapitalsWashington CapitalsWashington Capitals is an NHL ice hockey team in Washington, D.C., playing at Capital One Arena.Open the full entry and Kansas City ScoutsNew Jersey DevilsThe New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) and play at Prudential Center.Open the full entry in 1974.⁠[6]

For 1979–80, the Oilers, Winnipeg’s original Jets, Quebec NordiquesColorado AvalancheColorado Avalanche is an NHL ice hockey team in Denver, Colorado, playing at Ball Arena. The franchise relocated from Quebec City in 1995, having previously been the Quebec Nordiques.Open the full entry and Whalers joined the NHL from the WHA. The Whalers adopted the Hartford name.⁠[8][4]

The San Jose SharksSan Jose SharksSan Jose Sharks is an NHL ice hockey team based in San Jose, California, with SAP Center as its home arena.Open the full entry joined in 1991–92, followed by the Ottawa SenatorsOttawa SenatorsThe Ottawa Senators are a professional ice hockey team based in Ottawa, Ontario. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) and play at Canadian Tire Centre. The current franchise was awarded in 1990.Open the full entry and Tampa Bay LightningTampa Bay LightningTampa Bay Lightning is an NHL ice hockey team in Tampa, Florida, playing at Benchmark International Arena.Open the full entry in 1992–93. The Mighty Ducks of AnaheimAnaheim DucksThe Anaheim Ducks are a professional ice hockey team in Anaheim, California, competing in the National Hockey League (NHL). The team plays its home games at Honda Center.Open the full entry and Florida PanthersFlorida PanthersThe Florida Panthers are a professional ice hockey team in Florida, United States. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) and play at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise.Open the full entry began play in 1993–94.⁠[5]

In April 1992, the NHLPA held its first strike, leading to a new labour agreement.⁠[7]

Gary Bettman became the NHL’s first commissioner on February 1, 1993. Before that office was established, the league was headed by presidents Frank Calder, Mervyn “Red” Dutton, Clarence Campbell, John A. Ziegler Jr. and Gil Stein.⁠[9]

A bargaining impasse led to a 103-day owners’ lockout in 1994–95. The regular season was reduced from a planned 84 games to 48 per team, amid disputes over payroll spending and compensation limits.⁠[10]

The 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics were the first to include NHL players; the Czech Republic won the men’s gold medal.⁠[7]

The Nashville PredatorsNashville PredatorsThe Nashville Predators are a professional ice hockey team based in Nashville, Tennessee. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) and play at Bridgestone Arena.Open the full entry began play in 1998–99 and the Atlanta ThrashersWinnipeg JetsWinnipeg Jets is an NHL ice hockey team in Winnipeg, Manitoba, playing at Canada Life Centre.Open the full entry in 1999–2000. The Columbus Blue JacketsColumbus Blue JacketsThe Columbus Blue Jackets are a professional ice hockey team based in Columbus, Ohio. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) and play at Nationwide Arena.Open the full entry and Minnesota WildMinnesota WildThe Minnesota Wild are a professional ice hockey team based in Saint Paul, Minnesota. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) and play at Grand Casino Arena.Open the full entry followed in 2000–01, bringing league membership to thirty clubs.⁠[6]

On November 22, 2003, Edmonton and Montreal played the Heritage Classic, the NHL’s first outdoor regular-season game.⁠[7]

Disputes over salary limits and revenue sharing led to the loss of the entire 2004–05 season, formally cancelled on February 16, 2005. A new agreement reached in July introduced a team salary cap of $39 million for 2005–06 and linked aggregate player compensation to league revenue.⁠[10]

Another lockout occurred in 2012. The new agreement set January 19, 2013 as the start of a shortened 48-game regular season.⁠[7][11]

The Vegas Golden KnightsVegas Golden KnightsVegas Golden Knights is an NHL ice hockey team in the Las Vegas area of Nevada, playing at T-Mobile Arena.Open the full entry began NHL play in 2017–18 and reached the Stanley Cup Final in their inaugural season.⁠[4]

The NHL paused its season on March 12, 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic. A subsequent league–union plan brought 24 teams into secure zones in Toronto and Edmonton for a return beginning August 1. Edmonton hosted the conference finals and Stanley Cup Final, with daily testing and health monitoring for participants.⁠[12]

The Seattle KrakenSeattle KrakenSeattle Kraken is an NHL ice hockey team in Seattle, Washington, playing at Climate Pledge Arena.Open the full entry began NHL play in 2021–22 as the league’s thirty-second team.⁠[4][5]

On April 18, 2024, the NHL’s Board of Governors approved a new Utah franchise owned by Smith Entertainment Group, led by Ryan and Ashley Smith, for the 2024–25 season. The Arizona Coyotes franchise became inactive, with its player rights, draft picks and hockey operations assets transferred to Utah.⁠[13]

On July 8, 2025, the NHL’s Board of Governors and the full NHLPA membership ratified a new four-year collective agreement more than a year before the existing contract expired. It runs through the 2029–30 season.⁠[14]

From 2026–27, each team plays 84 regular-season games.⁠[15]

Sixteen teams qualify for the NHL playoffs: the top three in each division plus two wild cards from each conference based on regular-season results. Each of the four rounds is best-of-seven, with the champion receiving the Stanley Cup.⁠[16]

Lord Stanley donated the Stanley Cup in 1892, and the Montreal AAA received its first award in 1893. The trophy predates the NHL: champions from different leagues once challenged for it before it became the NHL championship trophy.⁠[2]

NHL coverage expanded from newspapers to radio in the mid-1920s and television in the 1950s. Hockey Night in Canada developed into a lasting Saturday-night viewing tradition.⁠[1]

NHL: Official website: https://www.nhl.com/ (opens in a new window)⁠[56]

NHL: X: https://www.twitter.com/nhl (opens in a new window)⁠[56]

NHL: YouTubeYouTubeYouTube is Google’s video-sharing and creator platform, founded in 2005 by Steve Chen, Chad Hurley, and Jawed Karim and acquired by Google in 2006. Built around video uploading, viewing, and creator earnings, the platform has developed Shorts, YouTube Music, Premium, YouTube TV, and products for children, and is headquartered in San Bruno, California, United States.Open the full entry: https://www.youtube.com/nhl (opens in a new window)⁠[56]

NHLPA: Official website: https://www.nhlpa.com/ (opens in a new window)⁠[7]