National Hockey League
The National Hockey League (NHL) is a professional ice hockey league in North America featuring 32 teams, with 25 based in the United States and 7 in Canada. It is considered the world’s premier professional ice hockey league and is one of the major professional sports leagues in both the U.S. and Canada. The league awards the Stanley Cup, the oldest professional sports trophy in North America, to its playoff champion each season; the International Ice Hockey Federation regards the Cup as one of the sport’s most important championships. League headquarters have been in New York City since 1989, when they moved from Montreal, with additional offices in Toronto and Montreal.
The NHL was founded on November 26, 1917, at the Windsor Hotel in Montreal, following the suspension of its predecessor, the National Hockey Association (NHA), which had been established in 1909 in Renfrew, Ontario. The NHL initially took the NHA’s place in an annual interleague competition for the Stanley Cup, and by 1926, after a series of league mergers and foldings, it became the sole league competing for the trophy. The league began with four teams, all in Canada, which explains the “National” in its name. The first U.S. team, the Boston Bruins, joined in 1924. From 1942 to 1967, the league consisted of just six teams, known as the “Original Six.” Expansion doubled the league to 12 teams in 1967, grew to 18 by 1974, and reached 21 by 1979. Further expansion between 1991 and 2000 brought the total to 30 teams, with the 31st and 32nd teams added in 2017 and 2021. In 2024, Salt Lake City was awarded an expansion franchise that acquired the hockey assets of the deactivated Arizona Coyotes, forming the Utah Hockey Club (later the Utah Mammoth), keeping the total at 32 teams.
The NHL is the fifth-highest grossing professional sports league globally by revenue. It has experienced four league-wide work stoppages since 1992. Players in the league come from 18 countries. The regular season runs from October to April, with each team playing 82 games. Sixteen teams then enter the Stanley Cup playoffs, a four-round tournament concluding in June. The Montreal Canadiens hold the most NHL titles with 25, including three before the league took exclusive control of the Stanley Cup in 1926 and 22 afterward. The reigning champions are the Carolina Hurricanes, who defeated the Vegas Golden Knights in th
- number_of_teams
- 32
- most_championships
- Montreal Canadiens (25 NHL titles)
Lore & Background
At its inception, the National Hockey League had four teams, all located in Canada, which explains the "National" in its name. The league was organized in Montreal in November 1917, following the suspension of its predecessor, the National Hockey Association. The NHL immediately took over as one of the leagues competing for the Stanley Cup, the oldest professional sports trophy in North America, which is now awarded annually to the NHL playoff champion. The league expanded into the United States in 1924 with the addition of the Boston Bruins. For a period from 1942 to 1967, the NHL consisted of only six teams, known as the "Original Six." The league then doubled in size through expansion in 1967, grew to 18 teams by 1974, and reached 21 teams by 1979. Further expansion between 1991 and 2000 brought the total to 30 teams, with the 31st and 32nd teams added in 2017 and 2021. A 2024 expansion franchise in Salt Lake City acquired the assets of the deactivated Arizona Coyotes, keeping the total at 32 teams. The regular season runs from October to April, with each team playing 82 games, followed by a 16-team playoff tournament culminating in the Stanley Cup Final. The Montreal Canadiens hold the record for the most NHL titles, with 25 overall. The league's headquarters have been in New York City since 1989, with additional offices in Toronto and Montreal.
Reader's Guide
The National Hockey League is the premier professional ice hockey league globally, operating as a major sports entity in both the United States and Canada. Its championship trophy, the Stanley Cup, is the oldest professional sports trophy in North America and is recognized by the International Ice Hockey Federation as one of the sport’s most important prizes. The league was founded in Montreal in 1917, replacing the National Hockey Association after disputes among team owners. Initially composed of four Canadian teams, the NHL expanded into the United States in 1924. For a 25-year period starting in 1942, the league consisted of just six teams, known as the "Original Six," before a major expansion in 1967 doubled its size. Further growth occurred through the 1970s and between 1991 and 2000, eventually reaching 32 teams after additions in 2017 and 2021, with a subsequent franchise relocation in 2024 maintaining that total. The league has experienced four work stoppages since 1992 and draws players from 18 countries. The Montreal Canadiens hold the most NHL titles, with 25 overall, including 22 Stanley Cup victories. The regular season runs from October to April with each team playing 82 games, followed by a 16-team playoff tournament concluding in June.
Did You Know?
- The Stanley Cup is the oldest professional sports trophy in North America.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the National Hockey League?
The NHL is a top-tier professional ice hockey league operating across North America, featuring 32 franchises split between the United States and Canada. It is widely regarded as the highest level of competitive ice hockey in the world.
How many teams compete in the NHL?
The league fields 32 teams in total, with 25 based in the United States and 7 based in Canada.
What is the Stanley Cup and who earns it?
The Stanley Cup is the championship trophy handed to the NHL playoff winner each season. It also holds the distinction of being the oldest professional sports trophy in North America.
Which NHL franchise has the most championships?
The Montreal Canadiens sit atop the all-time list with 25 Stanley Cup titles, the most of any team in league history.
Why is the NHL considered the premier hockey league?
It is recognized as the top professional ice hockey competition globally and stands as one of the major professional sports leagues in both the United States and Canada.
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