Number Of Hockey Teams In Nhl
Hockey is a beloved sport in the United States and Canada, with thousands of fans tuning in to watch teams compete in the National Hockey League (NHL). The NHL is made up of teams from both countries, with a total of 31 teams currently playing in the league. In this article, we will dive into the history of the NHL, the number of teams in the league, and other interesting facts about the sport.
The History of the NHL
The NHL was established on November 26, 1917, in Montreal, Canada. At the time, there were only four teams in the league, known as the 'Original Six': the Montreal Canadiens, Toronto Maple Leafs, Boston Bruins, Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Red Wings, and New York Rangers. The league saw expansion over the years, with teams being added in various cities across the United States and Canada.
The Number of Teams in the NHL
As of the 2021-2022 season, there are 31 teams in the NHL. The newest team to join the league is the Seattle Kraken, who began playing in the 2021-2022 season. The Kraken are the first NHL team to be based in Seattle, Washington.
Each team is part of either the Eastern Conference or the Western Conference, with 16 teams in the Eastern Conference and 15 in the Western Conference. Within each conference, teams are further divided into divisions. The Eastern Conference is made up of the Atlantic Division, the Metropolitan Division, and the newly formed NHL East Division. The Western Conference is divided into the Central Division, Pacific Division, and the NHL West Division.
Biggest NHL Teams
The NHL has various teams that are popular among fans. Some of the biggest teams in terms of fanbase and revenue include:
- Toronto Maple Leafs
- New York Rangers
- Montreal Canadiens
- Chicago Blackhawks
- Boston Bruins
- Detroit Red Wings
- Philadelphia Flyers
- Vancouver Canucks
- Pittsburgh Penguins
- Vegas Golden Knights
Interesting Facts About the NHL
Here are some fun and interesting facts about the NHL:
- The Stanley Cup, awarded to the NHL champions each year, is the oldest professional sports trophy in North America.
- Wayne Gretzky is the all-time leading scorer in NHL history with 2,857 points.
- The fastest goal in NHL history was scored by Mike Legg, who scored just five seconds into a game between the Detroit Red Wings and the Edmonton Oilers in 1996.
- The Anaheim Ducks were originally named the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, after the popular Disney movie franchise.
- The NHL has had several famous players over the years, including Mario Lemieux, Bobby Orr, Gordie Howe, and Alexander Ovechkin.
Conclusion
The NHL is a popular sport in the United States and Canada, with 31 teams currently playing in the league. The league has a rich history, with expansion over the years leading to new teams being added in various cities. Each team is part of either the Eastern or Western Conference, and within each conference, they are further divided into divisions. The NHL has several big teams with a large fanbase, including Toronto Maple Leafs, New York Rangers, and Montreal Canadiens, among others. The league has also had some famous players over the years, such as Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux.
