Ice hockey may be the smallest of the big four American sports – NFL, Basketball and Baseball, but it still has a huge and very loyal fanbase.
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The NHL (National Hockey League), is an organisation of professional ice hockey teams in North America, formed in 1917 by four Canadian teams. The first U.S. team, the Boston Bruins, was added in 1924. The NHL took permanent possession of the Stanley Cup in 1926; a trophy representing the world champions in ice hockey.
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The NHL rose to 10 teams, then dropped, and held steady at six from 1942 to 1967. Those teams - the Boston Bruins, Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Red Wings, Montreal Canadiens, New York Rangers and Toronto Maple Leafs. These teams are referred to as the “Original Six,” and that era has been celebrated by the hockey press and fans for generations. After various periods of expansion and reorganisation, the NHL now consists of 32 teams in two conferences and four divisions.
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At the end of the league’s regular season, eight teams from each conference (the top three teams in each division and two wild-card teams with the best remaining records, regardless of divisional affiliation) qualify for the playoffs. The champions of each conference then compete in a best-of-seven series for possession of the Stanley Cup.
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As of 2023, the No.1 and most successful ice hockey team of all time are Montreal Canadiens. They have an incredible 24 wins out of 34 final appearances! They won in 1924, 1930, 1931, 1944, 1946, 1953, 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1965, 1966, 1968, 1969, 1971, 1973, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1986, 1993. They have also won the Conference Championships eight times and the Divisional Championships 24 times.
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In addition, the NHL overall has a rich history that spans over a century. Some key moments that have defined the sport of ice hockey to date:
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The Birth of the NHL
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On December 19th, 1917, the NHL’s first game was played between the Montreal Canadiens and the Ottawa Senators. This game marked the birth of a new professional hockey league that would become one of the most popular and respected sports leagues in the world.
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Team Expansion
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During the 1960’s and 1970’s, the NHL underwent a significant expansion that saw the addition of six new teams. These included the Los Angeles Kings, Philadelphia Flyers and Pittsburgh Penguins. This expansion increased the popularity and hype around the sport and made the NHL a truly North American league.
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Miracle on Ice
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Shocking the world at the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, New York, the US Men's Hockey Team, made up of amateur and collegiate players, defeated the heavily-favoured Soviet Union team in the semi-finals. Considered one of the greatest upsets in sports history, it helped to raise the profile of hockey in the United States.
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The Gretzky Trade
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On August 9th, 1988, Wayne Gretzky, arguably the greatest player in NHL history to date, was traded from the Edmonton Oilers to the Los Angeles Kings. This was a blockbuster deal that shook the hockey world. The trade not only changed the fortunes of the Kings franchise but also helped grow the game of hockey in California.
Get kitted out every season in true NHL style at Mitchell & Ness Australia with your favourite team and player colours! We pride ourselves on our premium quality NHL jerseys and headwear, made with authenticity and attention to detail in mind. Rep your team loud and proud today!
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Get kitted out every season in true NHL style at Mitchell & Ness Australia with your favourite team and player colours! We pride ourselves on our premium quality NHL jerseys and headwear, made with authenticity and attention to detail in mind. Rep your team loud and proud today!