History of the NHL Timeline

(November 26, 1917 – Present)

The National Hockey League (NHL) is a professional ice hockey league founded in 1917 in Montreal, Canada. Originally composed of five teams, it has grown into a 32-team league spanning the United States and Canada. The NHL's history includes the Original Six era, major expansions, the introduction of the Stanley Cup playoffs as we know them today, legendary players like Gordie Howe, Wayne Gretzky, and Sidney Crosby, and landmark events such as the 1967 expansion, the 1992-94 lockouts, and the 2004-05 season cancellation. More Less

Go to: Timeline | Event List | Key Facts | Directory

Founding and Early Years

Founding of the National Hockey League

Nov 26, 1917

The National Hockey League was founded in Montreal on November 26, 1917, after the suspension of the National Hockey Association. The original four teams were the Montreal Canadiens, Montreal Wanderers, Ottawa Senators, and Toronto Arenas, establishing a new professional hockey league in Canada.

Image source: National Hockey League

First NHL games played

Dec 19, 1917

The NHL played its first two games on December 19, 1917. The Wanderers defeated Toronto 10-9, while the Canadiens beat Ottawa 7-4, officially launching the league's inaugural season.

Image source: 1917–18 NHL season

Toronto Arenas win first Stanley Cup as NHL team

Mar 30, 1918

The Toronto Arenas won the first Stanley Cup awarded to an NHL team, defeating the Vancouver Millionaires of the Pacific Coast Hockey Association in a best-of-five series.

Image source: Toronto Arenas

Boston Bruins become first US-based NHL team

Nov 1, 1924

The Boston Bruins began play in 1924 as the NHL's first American franchise, marking the league's initial expansion into the United States alongside the New York Americans.

Image source: Boston Bruins

NHL assumes control of the Stanley Cup

1926

After the collapse of rival leagues, the NHL became the sole top-level professional league in North America and gained exclusive control of the Stanley Cup, which it has awarded to its playoff champion ever since.

Image source: Stanley Cup

Original Six era begins

1942

By 1942, the NHL had stabilized at six teams: the Boston Bruins, Chicago Black Hawks, Detroit Red Wings, Montreal Canadiens, New York Rangers, and Toronto Maple Leafs. This 'Original Six' configuration lasted until 1967.

Maurice Richard scores 50 goals in 50 games

Mar 18, 1945

Montreal Canadiens star Maurice 'Rocket' Richard became the first player in NHL history to score 50 goals in a single 50-game season, cementing his status as one of the game's greatest goal scorers.

Image source: Maurice Richard

Canadiens win record five consecutive Stanley Cups

1956 - 1960

The Montreal Canadiens captured five straight Stanley Cups from 1956 to 1960, an unmatched dynasty feat in NHL history led by stars like Maurice Richard, Jean Béliveau, and goaltender Jacques Plante.

Jacques Plante wears goalie mask in regular-season game

Nov 1, 1959

After taking a shot to the face, Jacques Plante of the Montreal Canadiens returned to the game wearing a protective mask, popularizing face protection for goaltenders and revolutionizing the position.

Image source: Jacques Plante

Expansion Era

NHL expansion doubles league to twelve teams

Jun 5, 1967

The NHL expanded from six to twelve teams, adding the California Seals, Los Angeles Kings, Minnesota North Stars, Philadelphia Flyers, Pittsburgh Penguins, and St. Louis Blues, ending the Original Six era.

Image source: 1967 NHL expansion

Philadelphia Flyers begin Broad Street Bullies era

1972

The Philadelphia Flyers earned the nickname 'Broad Street Bullies' for their physical, aggressive style of play, winning back-to-back Stanley Cups in 1974 and 1975 as the first expansion-era team to do so.

Summit Series between Canada and USSR

Sep 2, 1972 - Sep 28, 1972

Canada's best NHL players faced the Soviet Union's national team in an eight-game series that captivated both nations. Canada won the final three games, with Paul Henderson scoring the dramatic series-winning goal.

Image source: Summit Series

World Hockey Association begins operations

Oct 11, 1972

The World Hockey Association launched as a rival professional league, signing star players like Bobby Hull and later introducing future greats including Gordie Howe's comeback and Wayne Gretzky's debut.

Image source: World Hockey Association

Wayne Gretzky makes NHL debut

Oct 10, 1979

Wayne Gretzky debuted with the Edmonton Oilers at age 18, beginning a career that would see him set numerous records, including most goals, assists, and points in NHL history.

Image source: Wayne Gretzky

New York Islanders win fourth consecutive Stanley Cup

May 16, 1983

The New York Islanders completed their dynasty by winning their fourth straight Stanley Cup from 1980 to 1983, one of the greatest championship runs in North American sports history.

Gretzky sets single-season points record

Apr 6, 1986

Wayne Gretzky recorded 215 points in the 1985-86 season, setting the NHL single-season record that still stands, along with his 92-goal mark from 1981-82.

Gretzky traded to Los Angeles Kings

Aug 9, 1988

The Edmonton Oilers traded Wayne Gretzky to the Los Angeles Kings in a blockbuster deal that shocked the hockey world and helped spark massive growth of ice hockey popularity in California and the southern United States.

Image source: Wayne Gretzky

Mario Lemieux returns from cancer treatment

Mar 2, 1993

Pittsburgh Penguins superstar Mario Lemieux returned to the lineup just months after being diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma, winning the scoring title that season and inspiring fans worldwide.

Image source: Mario Lemieux

Labor and League Milestones

WHA merges into the NHL

Mar 22, 1979

The WHA ceased operations after seven seasons, with four of its franchises—the Edmonton Oilers, Hartford Whalers, Quebec Nordiques, and Winnipeg Jets—joining the NHL as expansion teams.

2004–05 NHL lockout cancels entire season

Sep 15, 2004 - Jul 13, 2005

A labor dispute over a salary cap led to the cancellation of the entire 2004-05 season, making the NHL the first major North American sports league to lose a full season to a lockout. The dispute ended with a new collective bargaining agreement including a salary cap.

NHL introduces shootout to decide regular-season games

Oct 5, 2005

Following the lockout, the NHL eliminated tie games by adding a post-overtime shootout in regular-season play, along with rule changes designed to increase scoring and excitement.

Image source: Overtime (ice hockey)

Modern Growth

NHL expands to Florida, Anaheim, and Ottawa

1992 - 1993

The NHL added the Ottawa Senators, Tampa Bay Lightning, Florida Panthers, Anaheim Mighty Ducks, and San Jose Sharks during the early 1990s, aggressively expanding into non-traditional American markets.

Image source: Potential National Hockey League expansion

NHL players compete in Winter Olympics

Feb 12, 1998

For the first time, NHL players participated in the Winter Olympics at Nagano 1998, allowing the world's best professionals to compete for Olympic gold and boosting the sport's global profile.

Image source: Ice hockey at the 1998 Winter Olympics

Dallas Stars win controversial cup on Brett Hull's goal

Jun 19, 1999

Brett Hull scored the Stanley Cup-winning goal in triple overtime against Buffalo, though controversy arose because his skate appeared to be in the crease, violating the rule then in effect.

Image source: 1999 Stanley Cup Final

Dallas Stars win controversial cup on Brett Hull's goal

Sidney Crosby debuts with Pittsburgh Penguins

Oct 5, 2005

Widely hyped as 'The Next One,' Sidney Crosby made his NHL debut and won the scoring race as a rookie, launching a career that included multiple Stanley Cups and Olympic gold medals.

Image source: Sidney Crosby

Winter Classic outdoor game debuts

Jan 1, 2008

The Pittsburgh Penguins hosted the Buffalo Sabres at Ralph Wilson Stadium in the first NHL Winter Classic, an annual outdoor game held on or around New Year's Day that became a marquee television event.

Image source: NHL Winter Classic

Chicago Blackhawks end 49-year Stanley Cup drought

Jun 9, 2010

The Chicago Blackhawks defeated the Philadelphia Flyers to win their first Stanley Cup since 1961, beginning a modern dynasty that added championships in 2013 and 2015.

Image source: 2010 Stanley Cup Finals

Los Angeles Kings win first Stanley Cup

Jun 11, 2012

The Los Angeles Kings, seeded eighth in the Western Conference, dominated the playoffs and won the franchise's first Stanley Cup, validating the NHL's growth in non-traditional markets.

Image source: 2012 Stanley Cup Final

Seattle Kraken join as 32nd NHL franchise

Dec 9, 2018

The NHL approved Seattle as its 32nd franchise, with the Kraken beginning play in the 2021-22 season at Climate Pledge Arena, continuing the league's westward expansion.

Tampa Bay Lightning win back-to-back Stanley Cups

Jul 7, 2021

The Tampa Bay Lightning defeated the Montreal Canadiens to win their second consecutive Stanley Cup, becoming the first team to repeat as champions since the Detroit Red Wings in 1997 and 1998.

Image source: 2021 Stanley Cup Final

Tampa Bay Lightning win back-to-back Stanley Cups

Key Facts

The NHL was founded on November 26, 1917, in Montreal with four teams after the disbanding of the National Hockey Association.
The 'Original Six' era (1942–1967) featured only six teams: the Montreal Canadiens, Toronto Maple Leafs, Boston Bruins, Detroit Red Wings, Chicago Blackhawks, and New York Rangers.
The 1967 expansion doubled the league to twelve teams, marking the beginning of the NHL's growth into the United States.
Wayne Gretzky set numerous NHL records in the 1980s, including his all-time points record of 2,857, which still stands today.
The 2004-05 NHL season was entirely cancelled due to a labor dispute, making it the first time a major North American sports league lost an entire season to a lockout.

Source

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