NHL Hockey, How Did Hockey Start by Frank
Sanders
NHL Hockey as we know it has been around for ages, although not in
it's current form. From the little we know about the origins of hockey
it is widely believed that it was started in Europe. In northern
Europe where the ice frequently covers the lakes and ponds it was not
an uncommon site to see a hockey game being played on it. Hence the
term "ICE HOCKEY" was born.
When immigrants first came over to North America they brought the
game of hockey with them. The first hockey game is believed to be
played in Canada near Ontario around 1870 or so. It would be a long
while until the NHL as we know it was to be born. There was a few
leagues that formed in the united states as well as Canada but they
soon ran out of money and folded.
The NHL as we know it today was started right after World War 1 and at
that time only featured 5 teams the Montreal Canadiens, the Toronto
Arenas, the Ottawa Senators, the Quebec Bulldogs, and the Montreal
Wanderers. This is a far cry from what the NHL is today as it has two
conferences and many divisions.
Here is the current NHL Teams.
NHL EASTERN CONFERENCE is divided among
three divisions the Atlantic Division, Northeast Division, and the
Southeast Division. The NHL teams in this Conference are
New Jersey Devils, Boston Bruins, Atlanta Thrashers,
New York Islanders, Buffalo Sabres, Carolina Hurricanes,
New York Rangers, Montreal Canadiens, Florida Panthers,
Philadelphia Flyers, Ottawa Senators, Tampa Bay Lightning,
Pittsburgh Penguins, Toronto Maple Leafs, and the Washington
Capitals
NHL WESTERN CONFERENCE has three divisions also, they are the Central
Division, Northwest Division, and the Pacific Division. The Teams in
these Divisions are
Chicago Blackhawks, Calgary Flames, Anaheim Mighty Ducks,
Columbus Blue Jackets, Colorado Avalanche, Dallas Stars,
Detroit Red Wings, Edmonton Oilers, Los Angeles Kings,
Nashville Predators, Minnesota Wild, Phoenix Coyotes,
St. Louis Blues, Vancouver Canucks, and the San Jose Sharks
In the early history of the NHL many
hockey players used very primitive hockey equipment as apposed to what
they use in NHL games today. Shin guards and Goalie mask were things
that were just seemed as unneeded at the time. Now every player has to
wear a hockey helmet and the goalie has to wear a mask. The NHL
popularity has taken off since the 1980 U.S.A. Olympic team and the
most popular player "The Great One" Wayne Gretzky playing the best
hockey we have ever seen and probably ever will see in the NHL.
For more information visit our main Hockey
section or for other sports choose from
one of the following pages:
About The Author
Frank Sanders is a successful author and publisher of golf tips and
Hockey. http://www.sports-gift.com A source for info and tips for the
sports fan and reviews of the latest sports equipment |
