The National Hockey League (NHL) was formed in 1917 as the successor to the National Hockey Association (NHA), which had been founded in 1909.
The NHL was born out of a need for reorganization and stability in the early years of professional hockey. After disagreements with a problematic franchise owner, four NHA teams voted to form a new league, which became the NHL.
The NHL's inaugural season included the Montréal Canadiens, Ottawa Senators, Montreal Wanderers, and Toronto Arenas, a team that was granted a temporary franchise to balance the schedule when the Quebec Bulldogs were unable to play due to financial difficulties. The Arenas were the direct ancestors of the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Montreal Arena burned in January 1918, causing the Wanderers to cease operations. The NHL continued as a three-team league until the Bulldogs returned in 1919. In 1924, the league added the Boston Bruins, its first foray into the United States.
A defining period in NHL history is known as the "Original Six" era, between 1942 and 1967. Although not the league's first teams, the six franchises that endured during this period — the Boston Bruins, Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Red Wings, Montréal Canadiens, New York Rangers, and Toronto Maple Leafs — became synonymous with the league's identity. Economic pressures from the Great Depression and the impact of World War II forced the league to contract, and these six teams became the enduring face of professional hockey.
The culmination of the Original Six era brought in a period of rapid growth. The league doubled in size by adding six new franchises: the Los Angeles Kings, Minnesota North Stars, Philadelphia Flyers, Pittsburgh Penguins, California Seals, and St. Louis Blues. To blunt the outrage among Canadian fans that all six of these new teams were based in the United States, the league added the Vancouver Canucks and the Buffalo Sabres in 1970, both of which are located along the Canada-US border. The founding of the World Hockey Association (WHA) prompted the NHL to add the New York Islanders and the Atlanta Flames to prevent the rival league from establishing a presence in these markets. The Washington Capitals and the Kansas City Scouts were added in 1974, bringing the league up to 18 teams. By the turn of the century, nine more teams were added to the NHL: the San Jose Sharks, Tampa Bay Lightning, Ottawa Senators, Mighty Ducks, Florida Panthers, Nashville Predators, and Atlanta Thrashers. The Minnesota Wild and the Columbus Blue Jackets joined the National Hockey League (NHL) in 2000. In the mid-to-late 1990s, the Quebec Nordiques, the original Winnipeg Jets, and the Hartford Whalers relocated to Denver, Phoenix, and Raleigh, respectively. The Atlanta Thrashers relocated to Winnipeg in 2011, and the Winnipeg Jets were revived. The Vegas Golden Knights became the 31st franchise in 2017, and the Seattle Kraken joined the league for the 2021-22 season. In 2024, the Arizona Coyotes suspended operations and sold their hockey assets to a new team in Salt Lake City, Utah, which became the Utah Mammoth, bringing the NHL to 32 franchises.
The NHL is divided into two conferences (Eastern and Western) and further segmented into four divisions. Each season consists of three phases: the pre-season, which includes a series of exhibition games; the 82-game regular season; and the high-stakes Stanley Cup playoffs, where teams compete in best-of-seven series.
Although the essence of ice hockey is consistent worldwide, the NHL rulebook diverges in some ways from the international competitions governing by the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF). A primary difference is the size of the rink. NHL arenas measure 200 by 85 feet, while the IIHF dimensions are 200 by 100 feet. There are also differences in icing protocols.
The most prominent trophy in the National Hockey League is the Stanley Cup. Originating in 1893, pre-dating the NHL, the NHL now has exclusive control of it. Other awards include the Hart Memorial Trophy (Most Valuable Player), the Vezina Trophy (Top Goaltender), and the Lady Byng Trophy (Sportsmanship).
The NHL is considered one of the four major professional sports leagues in North America, along with Major League Baseball, the National Football League, and the National Basketball Association, and it is the most popular of these four leagues in Canada. Overall, hockey has the smallest fan base and the smallest annual revenue of the four leagues. However, its fan base is loyal and passionate. Advances in broadcast technology and the global reach of streaming platforms have enabled fans worldwide to view NHL games. Teams with long-standing traditions, such as the Boston Bruins, New York Rangers, and Detroit Red Wings, enjoy particularly fervent support. The NHL estimates that approximately half of its fan base roots for teams outside their geographical area, illustrating the impact of digital technology.
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The Ducks compete in the National Hockey League as members of the Pacific Division in the Western Conference. The Ducks are affiliated with the San Diego Gulls of the AHL and the Tulsa Oilers of the ECHL. The team was founded by the Walt Disney Company in 1993 as the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, a name that was altered after the team was sold in 2005. Team history, game schedules, standings, statistics, team rosters, prospect reports, and ticket options are discussed.
https://www.nhl.com/ducks/
Formed in 1924, the Bruins are one of the "Original Six" NHL teams and have had an impressive record. The team competes in the National Hockey League as a member of the Atlantic Division, Eastern Conference. The history of the team, its ownership, honored numbers, alumni, and a club directory are featured, along with game schedules, ticket options, statistics, video, an online shopping area offering branded apparel and other merchandise, and an introduction to the Boston Bruins Foundation.
https://www.nhl.com/bruins/
The Sabres are a professional ice hockey team playing home games at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York. The team entered the National Hockey League as an expansion team in 1970 and is part of the Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference. A team roster, career opportunities, game schedules, theme nights, and black and red schedules are featured, along with statistics, standings, scores, video, photographs, and an online store offering branded apparel and merchandise.
https://www.nhl.com/sabres/
Competing in the National Hockey League (NHL) as part of the Pacific Division in the Western Conference, the Flames are the third major ice hockey team in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, after the Tigers and Cowboys, and are one of two NHL franchises in Alberta, the other being the Edmonton Oilers. Game schedules, statistics, standings, and an introduction to the Scotiabank Saddledome, where they play their home games, are set forth, along with team rosters, ticket options, and schedules.
https://www.nhl.com/flames/
Formerly known as the New England Whalers and then the Hartford Whalers, the Carolina Hurricanes have been based in North Carolina since 1997, where they are members of the Metropolitan Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Hockey League. Home games are played at the Lenovo Center in Raleigh. Game schedules, a team roster, the Hurricanes Hall of Fame, ticket options, scores, statistics, and standings are posted, along with an introduction to Lenovo Center.
https://www.nhl.com/hurricanes/
Founded in 1926, the Hawks are one of the "Original Six" NHL teams. The team's name was spelled in two words as "Black Hawks" until 1986, when the team officially became the Blackhawks. Game, broadcast, and practice schedules are posted on the website, along with team rosters, statistics, standings, videos, membership information, ticket options, and details about the amateur hockey programs, the Blackhawks Foundation, and fan resources, and its online shopping area.
https://www.nhl.com/blackhawks/
The Avs are a professional ice hockey team based in Denver, playing home games at Ball Arena, which it shares with the NBA's Denver Nuggets and the NLL's Colorado Mammoth. Founded as the Quebec Nordiques in 1972, the team was a charter franchise of the World Hockey Association. It joined the NHL as a result of the NHL-WHA merger and relocated to Denver after the 1994-95 season. Schedules, statistics, standings, scores, and video are set forth, along with team rosters and ticket options.
https://www.nhl.com/avalanche/
The Jackets are a professional ice hockey team that competes in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference. Playing its home games at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio, the team began as an expansion team in 2000 and is affiliated with the Cleveland Monsters of the American Hockey League. Game schedules, information on how to watch or listen to games, ticket options, team rosters, and an online store are featured.
https://www.nhl.com/bluejackets/
The NHL professional ice hockey team, which began as the Minnesota North Stars in 1967, is now known as the Dallas Stars. After the 1992-93 season, they relocated to Dallas, at which time they changed their name to the Dallas Stars, in homage to the "Lone Star State." They play in the Central Division of the Western Conference. Game schedules, playoffs, and other events are posted on the official team website, along with ticket options and sales, a team roster, statistics, standings, and videos.
https://www.nhl.com/stars/
One of the "Original Six" teams of the National Hockey League, the Wings were founded in 1926, although they were known as the Detroit Cougars until 1930, and the Detroit Falcons from 1930 to 1932. Playing home games at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan, they compete in the NHL as a member of the Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference. The Wings are considered one of the most successful franchises in the NHL. Schedules, scores, statistics, standings, and ticket options are featured.
https://www.nhl.com/redwings/
Established as the Alberta Oilers in 1972, the team was one of the twelve founding franchises of the World Hockey Association; the Oilers became part of the NHL in 1979 as one of four franchises absorbed through the NHL-WHA merger. The team is a member of the Pacific Division in the Western Conference. Game schedules, a seating chart, and ticket options are published on the team's website, which includes a team roster, statistics, partnerships, and an online shopping area.
https://www.nhl.com/oilers/
Named for the Florida panther, a type of cougar considered to be endangered, the Panthers are a professional ice hockey team that plays in the NHL's Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference. They play their home games at FLA Live Arena in Sunrise, Florida. Ticket options and resources, offers, promotions, rosters, statistics, and an official mobile application are available, along with game schedules, information about live streaming of games, and an online store selling branded merchandise.
https://www.nhl.com/panthers/
Created by a Philadelphia Flyers fan named Steve, the unofficial fan site features various informational articles on the NHL team, including schedules and television broadcasts, although these have not been recently updated. The site also features a "Wall of Fame," highlighting players and others whom the author believes have made significant contributions to the team, as well as a page of Flyers hockey cards from over the years, and a second page on Flyers captains.
http://www.flyers.com/
The Kings play their home games at Crypto.com Arena in downtown Los Angeles after having played at the Forum in Inglewood for 32 years. Schedules, a team roster, community events, and other programs are featured on its site, along with standings, scores, statistics, ticket options, membership information, draft prospects, various fan resources, activities, and contact details. An online store offers a range of branded apparel, collectibles, car accessories, and other merchandise.
https://www.nhl.com/kings/
Affiliated with the Iowa Wild of the American Hockey League and the Iowa Heartlanders of the ECHL, the Minnesota Wild is a professional ice hockey team based in Saint Paul, and competing in the National Hockey League as a member of the Central Division in the Western Conference. The team was founded in 2000 following the 1993 departure of the Minnesota North Stars. Team rosters, a team guide, partnership opportunities, schedules, and ticket options are posted.
https://www.nhl.com/wild/
Officially named Club de hockey Canadien, the professional ice hockey team in Montreal, Quebec, is colloquially known as the Habs. The Canadiens compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as part of the Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference. Founded in 1909 as a charter member of the National Hockey Association, the Canadiens are the oldest continuously operating professional ice hockey team in the world, and the only existing NHL club to predate the league's founding.
https://www.nhl.com/canadiens/
Sometimes known as the Preds, the professional ice hockey team is based in Nashville, Tennessee, and plays in the NHL's Central Division of the Western Conference. Schedules, online viewing, photographs, and radio broadcasts are outlined, along with a team roster, the team's history, and prospects. Statistics, standings, and an introduction to the Bridgestone Arena and Ford Ice Center are provided, along with an online shopping area offering branded apparel and collectibles.
https://www.nhl.com/predators/
Founded as the Kansas City Scouts in Kansas City, Missouri, in 1974, the professional ice hockey team relocated to Denver in 1976, where they became the Colorado Rockies. After moving to East Rutherford, New Jersey, they adopted their current name and currently play home games at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. The Devils compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference. Game schedules and ticket options are stated.
https://www.nhl.com/devils/
As a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League (NHL), the Isles are a professional ice hockey team that plays its home games at UBS Arena in Elmont, New York. Game schedules, promotional events, ticket options, team rosters, and an introduction to the UBS Arena, including its amateur hockey programs, contests, and other fan resources, are all included. Additionally, an online shopping area features branded apparel and other merchandise.
https://www.nhl.com/islanders/
Playing their home games at Madison Square Garden, an arena they share with the NBA's New York Knicks, the Rangers are one of the "Original Six" teams that competed in the NHL before its 1967 expansion. The team's website features the franchise's history, a team roster, an introduction to its arena, player profiles, draft information, game schedules, videos, broadcast schedules, scores, statistics, standings, and an online shopping area offering branded apparel and merchandise.
https://www.nhl.com/rangers/
Powered by WolfLab Suite, the New York Rangers Café is an online discussion forum. Set up to allow fans or other interested members to discuss the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League, its topics include yearly playoffs, rumors, the NYR draft, prospects, the American Hockey League, new hires, and other discussions about the team. Recent posts are listed at the top of the page, which includes member statistics. Membership is required to participate in discussions.
https://newyorkrangerscafe.com/
The official website of the National Hockey League features team websites, as well as playoff information, schedules, scores, statistics, player spotlights, ticket options and sales, and more. Other resources include recaps, condensed game videos, top plays, and other NFL videos, an introduction to NHL Fantasy Hockey, and NHL Unites, which offers various community programs, events, and information about various people groups. An online store offers branded apparel and merchandise.
https://www.nhl.com/
Officially known as the Ottawa Senators Hockey Club, and colloquially referred to as the Sens, the professional ice hockey team competes in the NHL as a member of the Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference, playing its home games at the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, Ontario. Founded in 1992, they are the second NHL franchise to use the name, following the original Ottawa Senators, which played in the league from 1917 to 1934. Schedules and ticket sales are featured.
https://www.nhl.com/senators/
Dedicated to the New York Rangers, a professional ice hockey team based in New York City and competing in the National Hockey League as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference. The website provides team news, statistics, history, and commentary, including transaction updates, trade news, and player performance analysis. Also included is an online discussion forum where pretty much anything related to the Rangers can be discussed. The forum is read-only for non-members.
https://outsidethegarden.com/
The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division of the Eastern Conference. Its minor league affiliates are the Lehigh Valley Phantoms (AHL) and the Reading Royals (ECHL). A team roster, Flyers alumni, schedules, statistics, scores, and standings, as well as ticket options, an introduction to its arena at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and an online shopping area.
https://www.nhl.com/flyers/
Formed in 1967, the professional ice hockey team plays in the National Hockey League (NHL) in the Metropolitan Division of the Eastern Conference. A team roster, scores, statistics, and schedules are published on the team's official website, which also features videos, an overview of the team's community initiatives and programs, fan promotions, and upcoming events, along with an online store carrying branded apparel, collectibles, gifts, and other merchandise.
https://www.nhl.com/penguins/
An online hub for National Hockey League (NHL) fans who want to dive deeper than just on-ice action, PuckPedia serves as an in-depth resource for everything related to NHL salary cap details, player contracts, and transactional moves, breaking down complex financial data into clear, accessible insights on team management and player movement. The site features detailed pages displaying current cap space, dead cap hit analyses, and other metrics on a team's financial health.
https://puckpedia.com/
Based in San Jose, California, the professional ice hockey team plays its home games at SAP Center. It is a member of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League. The team colors are pacific teal, grey, burnt orange, and black. Schedules, premium seating, and other ticket options are featured, along with videos, fan resources, community activities and programs, and an introduction to SAP Center. An online store offers branded merchandise.
https://www.nhl.com/sharks/
Developed in 2021, the Kraken are the first professional ice hockey franchise in Seattle, Washington, since the Seattle Totems in 1975. The Kraken competes in the National Hockey League's Pacific Division of the Western Conference. A team roster, team awards, a yearbook, and prospects are highlighted, along with game schedules, ticket options, statistics, scores, and standings. An online shopping area offers branded apparel, gifts, collectibles, and other merchandise.
https://www.nhl.com/kraken/
Playing in the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League (NHL), the professional ice hockey team plays its home games at Enterprise Center in St. Louis, Missouri. A team roster, statistics, standings, the Blues Hall of Fame, and the team's history are presented, along with game schedules, broadcast schedules, and its community and fan programs and events. An online shopping area offers branded apparel, gifts, collectibles, and other merchandise.
https://www.nhl.com/blues/
Formed in 1991, the Tampa Bay Lightning is a professional ice hockey team competing in the National Hockey League's Atlantic Division of its Eastern Conference. Schedules and ticket options are featured on the team's official website, along with game schedules, standings, photographs, videos, podcasts, fan resources, and an overview of its community and hockey development program, including high school hockey, ball hockey, girls hockey, and other ice hockey programs.
https://www.nhl.com/lightning/
The Toronto Maple Leafs are a professional ice hockey franchise playing home games at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The team was formed in 1917 as one of the original National Hockey League teams. They were initially called the Toronto Arenas, but changed their name to St. Patrick's, and then to the Maple Leafs in the 1920s. Previously, there was a minor league team called the Toronto Maple Leafs. A roster, alumni, standings, statistics, schedules, and ticket options are posted.
https://www.nhl.com/mapleleafs/
Founded in 2024, the Utah Mammoth is a professional ice hockey team that plays as the Utah Hockey Club in the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League. Home games are played at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. Game schedules, broadcast schedules, team rosters, and statistics are featured on the team's official website, which also includes news, videos, and a photo gallery. Its community programs, fan resources, and an online store are included.
https://www.nhl.com/utah/
Founded in 1945, the Vancouver Canucks were originally a team in the Pacific Coast Hockey League, which later changed its name to the Western Hockey League in 1952. The Canucks joined the National Hockey League in 1970. The professional ice hockey team plays in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the NHL. A team roster, information about its ownership and management, game schedules, membership options, ticketing information, podcasts, videos, and fan programs are provided.
https://www.nhl.com/canucks/
The Golden Knights are a professional ice hockey team playing in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League. Formed in 2017, the professional ice hockey team plays its home games at T-Mobile Arena in Paradise, Nevada. Game schedules, ticket options, a team roster, statistics, standings, and a team yearbook are featured on the official team website, which includes videos, fan resources, and an overview of its community programs and activities.
https://www.nhl.com/goldenknights/
Part of the National Hockey League's Metropolitan Division, Eastern Conference, the Capitals play their home games at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. Ticket options, game schedules, and the history of the team are featured on the team's official website, along with statistics, standings, videos, and information about its fan resources, community programs, and youth hockey program are highlighted, along with an onlie store selling branded apparel and other merchandise.
https://www.nhl.com/capitals/
The origins of the Jets date back to 1999, when they were known as the Atlanta Thrashers. They became the Winnipeg Jets when they were acquired by a Winnipeg-based company and moved to Winnipeg in 2011. Another team by that name played in the NHL from 1972 to 1996; they became the Arizona Coyotes before becoming inactive in 2024. The official team website posts game and promotional schedules, scores, statistics, team rosters, and ticket options, as well as an introduction to Canada Life Centre.
https://www.nhl.com/jets/
