The National Hockey League or more widely known as the NHL is a professional ice hockey league composed of 30 teams in North America. It is considered to be the premier professional ice hockey league in the world. NHL games are played on an oblong hockey rink surrounded by a wall. It measures 25.91 by 60.92 metres (85 by 200 ft). Read on for more interesting NFL trivia and NFL records.
The Stanley Cup
The Stanley Cup was first awarded to the Montreal Amateur Athletic Association hockey club, champions of the Amateur Hockey Association of Canada, in 1893.
On April 4, 1921, the Ottawa Senators defeated the Vancouver Millionaires 2-1 in the decisive fifth game of the 1921 Stanley Cup Final. Jack Darragh scored both goals for the Senators, who became the first NHL team to win back-to-back Stanley Cup titles.
Charlie Gardiner, captain of the Chicago Blackhawks in 1934, is the only goaltender to have his name appear on the Stanley Cup as the captain of a Cup-winning team.
Ken Morrow was the first player in hockey history to win an Olympic Gold Medal and a Stanley Cup in the same year. After helping the United States Olympic Team win the gold medal at the 1980 Winter Games in Lake Placid, Morrow joined the New York Islanders and helped them win the first of their four consecutive Stanley Cup championships.
Adam Deadmarsh was misspelled as "Deadmarch", but was later changed--the only misspelled name to be corrected. Some other misspells on the Cup that never have been corrected: Jacques Plante's name has been misspelled five times, (including "Jocko," "Jack" and "Plant"); Bob Gainey was spelled "Gainy" when he was a player for Montreal in the 70s; Ted Kennedy was spelled "Kennedyy" in the 40s; New York Islanders was spelled "Ilanders" in 1980/81; the Toronto Maple Leafs was spelled "Leaes" in 1962/63; and the Boston Bruins was spelled "Bqstqn" in 1972.
There was no Stanley Cup winner in 1919. The final between Montreal and Seattle was cancelled due to an influenza epidemic.
Maurice Richard holds the record for most career goals in the Stanley Cup Finals with 34. He also has the most career overtime goals in the Stanley Cup Finals with three.
First All-Star Game
On February 14, 1934, the NHL held its first All-Star Game as a benefit for injured star Ace Bailey. Toronto defeated a team of All-Stars from the league's other seven teams 7-3 at Maple Leaf Gardens.
That Man Wayne Gretzky
On December 19, 1984, while playing in just his 424th career game, Edmonton's Wayne Gretzky had two goals and four assists to become the fastest player in NHL history to reach 1000 career points (breaking Guy Lefleur's record of 720 games). The Oilers won 7-3 over the visiting Los Angeles Kings.
First NHL Commissioner
On December 11, 1992, the National Hockey League Governors named Gary Bettman as the first NHL commissioner in league history.
First To Score 50 Goals In A Season
In the final game of the 1944-45 season, Maurice "Rocket" Richard became the first player in NHL history to score 50 goals in a season as Montreal beat the Bruins 4-2. Richard scored his 50 goals in 50 games. It was the only season Richard netted 50 goals in his Hall of Fame career.