The National Hockey League (NHL) is one of the most popular sports leagues in North America, with millions of fans tuning in to watch their favorite teams battle it out on the ice. But how much do you really know about this exciting sport? Here are 50 amazing facts that will surprise even the biggest hockey fanatics:
1. The NHL was founded in 1917 by five Canadian teams: Montreal Canadiens, Toronto Maple Leafs, Ottawa Senators, Quebec Bulldogs, and the Winnipeg Falcons.
2. The first ever Stanley Cup Final took place in 1893 between the Montreal Victorias and the Ottawa Capitals.
3. The oldest player to play in an NHL game was Gordie Howe, who played his final game at age 52 for the Hartford Whalers.
4. The fastest goal ever scored in NHL history was by Kevin Stevens of the Pittsburgh Penguins, who netted a puck just six seconds into a game against the New York Islanders.
5. The longest overtime game in NHL history lasted 168 minutes and 59 seconds, with the Calgary Flames eventually beating the Chicago Blackhawks 3-2.
6. The shortest player to ever play in the NHL was Eddie Shack, who stood at only 5 feet tall but still managed to score 26 goals during his career.
7. The highest number of penalty shots awarded in a single season was 100, which occurred during the 1992-93 season.
8. The record for the most penalties taken in a single game is held by Dave Schultz of the Philadelphia Flyers, who racked up 472 penalty minutes in a single game against the Vancouver Canucks.
9. The NHL has had its fair share of strange rules throughout its history, including allowing players to kick the puck or use their hands to pass it.
10. One of the weirdest superstitions in the NHL involves goaltender Patrick Roy, who used to kiss the goalpost before every game he played.
11. Another bizarre tradition in the NHL involves the Detroit Red Wings, who always wear white jerseys when playing at home.
12. The NHL has seen some incredible records set by its players, such as Wayne Gretzky’s all-time points record of 2,857.
13. Legendary coach Scotty Bowman holds the record for the most wins in NHL history, with a total of 1,244 victories under his belt.
14. The evolution of equipment in the NHL has been fascinating to watch, from wooden sticks to composite materials and advanced helmets.
15. Unusual game-day rituals are common among NHL teams, such as the Boston Bruins’ tradition of eating pasta together before each game.
16. Surprising stats about NHL fans include the fact that they are the most educated group of sports fans in North America, with nearly half holding college degrees.
17. Women have made significant contributions to NHL history, such as Manon Rheaume becoming the first female to play in an NHL exhibition game.
18. The NHL has produced many legendary players throughout its history, including Bobby Orr, Mario Lemieux, and Sidney Crosby.
19. The first American team to win the Stanley Cup was the Seattle Metropolitans in 1917.
20. The longest winning streak in NHL history was achieved by the Pittsburgh Penguins, who won 17 games in a row during the 1992-93 season.
21. The largest trade in NHL history involved 10 players and 5 draft picks, with the Edmonton Oilers sending Wayne Gretzky to the Los Angeles Kings.
22. The NHL has had its fair share of controversy, including the infamous “Slap Shot” incident involving the Hanson Brothers in the movie of the same name.
23. The smallest arena in the NHL is the Mile One Centre in St. John’s, Newfoundland, which seats just 6,287 fans.
24. The NHL has had several mascots throughout its history, including the San Jose Sharks’ SJ Sharkie and the Washington Capitals’ Slapshot.
25. The longest game in NHL history was played between the Detroit Red Wings and the Montreal Maroons in 1936, ending after 176 minutes and 30 seconds of play.
26. The NHL has featured numerous rivalries throughout its history, including the Battle of Alberta between the Edmonton Oilers and Calgary Flames.
27. The first Olympic Games to feature ice hockey was in 1920, with Canada taking home the gold medal.
28. The NHL introduced the shootout to determine winners in tied games during the 2005-06 season.
29. The NHL All-Star Game has been held annually since 1947, except for a brief hiatus during World War II.
30. The NHL Draft has been held annually since 1963, with the first overall pick being selected by the Montreal Canadiens.
31. The NHL has had several lockouts throughout its history, including a year-long strike in 2004-05.
32. The NHL has also had its fair share of tragedies, including the death of Bill Masterton in 1968 due to injuries sustained during a game.
33. The NHL has expanded several times throughout its history, adding new teams such as the Vegas Golden Knights in recent years.
34. The NHL has hosted several international events, including the Winter Classic and the Heritage Classic.
35. The NHL has had several memorable moments, such as Paul Henderson scoring the winning goal in the Summit Series against the Soviet Union in 1972.
36. The NHL has also had its fair share of scandalous incidents, such as the Chris Simon stick-swinging incident in 2007.
37. The NHL has had several notable owners throughout its history, including George Steinbrenner of the New York Yankees owning the Tampa Bay Lightning.
38. The NHL has had several iconic broadcasters throughout its history, including Bob Cole and Don Cherry.
39. The NHL has also had several notable referees throughout its history, including Kerry Fraser and Dan O’Halloran.
40. The NHL has had several notable enforcers throughout its history, including Bob Probert and Tony Twist.
41. The NHL has had several notable goalies throughout its history, including Martin Brodeur and Dominik Hasek.
42. The NHL has had several notable captains throughout its history, including Mark Messier and Steve Yzerman.
43. The NHL has had several notable trades throughout its history, including the blockbuster deal that sent Wayne Gretzky to the Los Angeles Kings.
44. The NHL has had several notable rookies throughout its history, including Sidney Crosby and Alexander Ovechkin.
45. The NHL has had several notable coaches throughout its history, including Scotty Bowman and Mike Babcock.
46. The NHL has had several notable general managers throughout its history, including Brian Burke and Lou Lamoriello.
47. The NHL has had several notable arenas throughout its history, including Madison Square Garden and the Forum in Montreal.