National Hockey League

Professional ice hockey league in North America

National Hockey League logo

The National Hockey League (NHL) is a professional ice hockey league in North America, currently comprising 32 teams: 25 in the United States and 7 in Canada. The NHL is considered the premier professional ice hockey league in the world and one of the major professional sports leagues in the United States and Canada.

History

The NHL was founded on November 26, 1917, in Montreal, Quebec, after the suspension of operations of its predecessor organization, the National Hockey Association (NHA), which had been founded in 1909. The league initially consisted of four teams, all located in Canada, thus the adjective "National" in the league's name.

The Stanley Cup, awarded annually to the NHL playoff champion

The league expanded into the United States in 1924, when the Boston Bruins joined, and has since grown to include teams across North America. The NHL's championship trophy, the Stanley Cup, is the oldest professional sports trophy in North America and is awarded annually to the league playoff champion at the end of each season.

Structure and Teams

The NHL is divided into two conferences: the Eastern Conference and the Western Conference. Each conference is further divided into two divisions. The league's regular season runs from October to April, with each team playing 82 games. The Stanley Cup playoffs then begin in April, culminating in the Stanley Cup Finals in June.

"There's no action like hockey action" by Louis Jaques

Current Teams

The NHL currently has 32 teams:

• Atlantic Division
• Metropolitan Division
• Central Division
• Pacific Division

Gameplay

Diagram of an NHL hockey rink

The game of ice hockey is played on a rectangular rink with rounded corners surrounded by walls and Plexiglas. The rink is divided into three zones: the defensive zone, the neutral zone, and the offensive zone. Each team has six players on the ice, including a goaltender, and the objective is to score goals by shooting the puck into the opposing team's net.

Draft and Player Development

2017 NHL Entry Draft

The NHL Entry Draft is an annual event in which teams select the rights to available amateur players who meet draft eligibility requirements. The draft is a major event in the NHL calendar and plays a crucial role in team building and player development.

International Influence

The NHL has a significant international presence, with players from over 20 countries. The league has also participated in international competitions, such as the Winter Olympics and the World Cup of Hockey.

Related pages

• List of NHL seasons
• List of NHL teams
• List of NHL players
• Stanley Cup
• Ice hockey