National Hockey League

History

The Inaugural Season (1917-1918)

The National Hockey League, as it exists today, was formed on November 26, 1917 after a meeting between representatives of the National Hockey Association in Montreal's Windsor Hotel. The owners of the Montreal Canadiens, Montreal Wanderers, Ottawa Senators, Quebec Bulldogs, and Toronto Arenas decided to form a new league in order to exclude Edward J. Livingston, owner of the NHA Toronto Blueshirts franchise from being involved in their future hockey operations.

The decision to form the NHL nearly proved to be a disastrous one. The new league faced stiff competition from a number of other leagues including the Pacific Coast Hockey Association (PCHA) and the International Hockey League (IHL), and the talent pool was decimated by World War I. Prior to the start of the 1917-1918 season, the Quebec Bulldogs dropped out of the league, and early in the season, Montreal Wanderers were forced to disband. The remaining three teams completed the inaugural season, with Toronto winning the league championship, then beating the Vancouver Millionaires of the PHCL in a best of five series to claim the Stanley Cup.

Trophies and awards

Some of the NHL's most prestigious trophies and awards include:

• Art Ross Memorial Trophy -- league scoring champion
• Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy -- perseverance and sportsmanship
• Calder Memorial Trophy -- rookie of the year
• Conn Smythe Trophy -- most valuable player during the playoffs
• Frank J. Selke Trophy -- top defensive forward
• Hart Memorial Trophy -- most valuable player during the regular season
• Jack Adams Award -- coach of the year
• James Norris Memorial Trophy -- most outstanding defenseman
• King Clancy Memorial Trophy -- leadership and humanitarian contribution
• Lester B. Pearson Award -- most outstanding player as selected by peers
• William M. Jennings Trophy -- goalkeeper(s) for the team with the fewest goals against
• Lady Byng Memorial Trophy -- player combining ability and sportsmanship
• Maurice 'Rocket' Richard Trophy -- to the goal-scoring leader during the regular season
• Vezina Trophy -- voted to be the most outstanding goaltender

The Lester Patrick Trophy has been presented by the National Hockey League since 1966 to honour a recipient's contribution to hockey in the United States.

Three years after retirement, players are eligible to be voted into the Hockey Hall of Fame. If a player is deemed important enough, however, the waiting period can be waived. This has been done 10 times.

Organisation

NHL teams (in their current incarnation)

Eastern Conference

Atlantic

• New Jersey Devils
• New York Islanders
• New York Rangers
• Philadelphia Flyers
• Pittsburgh Penguins

Northeast

• Boston Bruins
• Buffalo Sabres
• Montreal Canadiens
• Ottawa Senators
• Toronto Maple Leafs

Southeast

• Atlanta Thrashers
• Carolina Hurricanes
• Florida Panthers
• Tampa Bay Lightning
• Washington Capitals

Western Conference

Central

• Chicago Blackhawks
• Columbus Blue Jackets
• Detroit Red Wings
• Nashville Predators
• St. Louis Blues

Northwest

• Calgary Flames
• Colorado Avalanche
• Edmonton Oilers
• Minnesota Wild
• Vancouver Canucks

Pacific

• Mighty Ducks of Anaheim
• Dallas Stars
• Los Angeles Kings
• Phoenix Coyotes
• San Jose Sharks

Presidents/Commissioners of the NHL

• Frank Calder (1917-1943) President
• Red Dutton (1943-1946) President
• Clarence Campbell (1946-1977) President
• John Ziegler (1977-1992) President
• Gil Stein (1992-1993) President
• Gary Bettman (1993-present) Commissioner

See also

• National Hockey League All-Star Game
• List of defunct NHL teams
• List of NHL players
• List of NHL First Overall Draft Picks
• The NHL's new rival league, the New World Hockey Association
• World Hockey Association 2
• List of NHL franchise post-season droughts
• National Womens Hockey League
• List of professional ice hockey leagues

External Links

• NHL's homepage
• Hockey fans
• Canadian Hockey Forum

Referenced By