National Hockey League: Quick Facts

Written and fact-checked by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

Nov. 14, 2026

News •

McDavid extends season-opening points streak to 21 games, Oilers beat Maple Leafs 1-0 • Nov. 14, 2026, 11:02 PM ET (AP)

FAA grounds flights nationwide, disrupting NBA, NHL and college football travel for the weekend • Nov. 14, 2026, 11:10 AM ET (AP)

Glenn Gawdin scores his first 2 NHL goals in the Rangers' 5-1 victory over the Canucks • Nov. 13, 2026, 11:56 PM ET (AP)

NHL indicates Finland's block on Russian athletes could affect future games there • Nov. 13, 2026, 11:13 AM ET (AP)

Devils say Hellebuyck will not face his former teammates in Winnipeg, cite reduced win probability • Nov. 9, 2026, 10:40 AM ET (AP)

Facts

Also Known As	NHL
Date	1917 - present
Areas Of Involvement	ice hockey • professionalism • Stanley Cup
Related People	Sidney Crosby • Alex Ovechkin • Wayne Gretzky • Jaromir Jagr • Martin Brodeur • Slava Fetisov • Scotty Bowman • Jacques Plante • Frank A. Patrick • Maurice Richard • Willie O’Ree

Photos

Steven Stamkos of the Tampa Bay Lightning, wearing number 91 in a blue jersey, skates with the puck ahead of Montreal Canadiens players during the 2021 NHL Stanley Cup Final.

Marc-Andre Fleury of the Vegas Golden Knights blocks a shot by Jakub Vrana of the Washington Capitals as Shea Theodore looks on during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Final.

2015 Stanley Cup winners

See All Images →

Topics

Premier League National Basketball Association Major League Soccer Major League Baseball English Football League Women’s National Basketball Association All-American Girls Professional Baseball League National League American League Central League

Dig Deeper: More Articles That Discuss This Topic

ice hockey: National Hockey League

Cricket bat and ball. cricket sport of cricket.Homepage blog 2011, arts and entertainment, history and society, sports and games athletics

Sports Quiz

Serena Williams poses with the Daphne Akhurst Trophy after winning the Women's Singles final against Venus Williams of the United States on day 13 of the 2017 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 28, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (tennis, sports)

Great Moments in Sports Quiz