8 Surprising Facts about NHL History
The National Hockey League (NHL) is one of the most popular sports leagues in North America, with millions of fans tuning in every season to watch their favorite teams battle it out on the ice. But beyond the hard-hitting action and incredible skill displayed by the players, there’s a rich history filled with fascinating facts that many people may not know. Here are eight surprising facts about NHL hockey that will leave you feeling like an expert on the sport!
1. The Origin of the Stanley Cup
While the NHL was founded in 1917, the Stanley Cup itself predates the league by several decades. In fact, the cup was first awarded in 1893 as a challenge trophy for amateur hockey clubs in Canada. It wasn’t until 1926 that the Stanley Cup became exclusively associated with professional hockey and the NHL.
2. Early Hockey Heroes
One of the earliest stars of hockey was Frank McGee, who played for the Ottawa Hockey Club from 1895 to 1904. Known for his speed and scoring prowess, he helped lead the team to four consecutive Stanley Cup championships before retiring at just 23 years old due to health issues. Another early hero was Newsy Lalonde, who played for the Montreal Canadiens during the early days of the NHL. He was known for his physical play and scored over 30 goals in five different seasons during his career.
3. Surprising NHL Records
There are plenty of impressive records in NHL history, but some of them might surprise you! For example, did you know that Wayne Gretzky didn’t score the most goals in a single game? That honor belongs to Joe Malone, who scored seven goals in a game way back in 1920. And while Gretzky holds the record for most assists in a season with 169, he only led the league in penalty minutes once – with a total of 28 minutes in 1984.
4. Weird and Wacky Rules in NHL History
Throughout its history, the NHL has had its fair share of strange rules. One such rule allowed teams to substitute goalies after each period, meaning that a player could start the game in net and then switch to another position later on. Another rule required all players to wear helmets starting in the 1979-80 season, but this was rescinded just two years later because so few players were actually wearing them.
5. Unusual Superstitions among NHL Players
Hockey players can be a superstitious bunch, and there have been plenty of unusual rituals throughout NHL history. One famous example is goaltender Jacques Plante, who refused to take off his trademark mask during interviews or in public. Another player, Tim Kerr, used to sleep with his stick before games in hopes of getting good luck. And who could forget the story of Paul MacLean, who insisted on eating chicken before every game and even went so far as to bring his own cooker onto the team bus!
6. Legendary Coaches and Their Strategies
Some of the greatest coaches in NHL history have employed unique strategies to help their teams win games. Perhaps the most famous example is Scotty Bowman, who coached the Detroit Red Wings to three straight Stanley Cup titles in the mid-1990s using a strategy called “the left wing lock.” This involved having the left winger stay high in the zone to prevent opposing teams from entering the offensive zone easily. Other legendary coaches include Toe Blake, who won eight Stanley Cups with the Montreal Canadiens, and Al Arbour, who coached the New York Islanders to four straight cups in the 1980s.
7. Fascinating Facts about NHL Arenas
NHL arenas are more than just places where games are played – they also have their own unique histories and quirks. Did you know that the oldest arena still in use today is Boston’s TD Garden, which opened in 1928? Or that the largest capacity crowd ever for an NHL game was 104,173 fans at the Heritage Classic in Edmonton in 2003? And speaking of large crowds, the smallest NHL venue is the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, which seats just under 15,000 fans.
8. Iconic Moments in NHL History
Finally, no list of surprising facts would be complete without mentioning some of the iconic moments in NHL history. From Bobby Orr’s famous flying goal celebration to Mario Lemieux’s amazing comeback from cancer, there have been countless unforgettable moments in the league’s long and storied past. Whether it’s a dramatic last-minute goal or a heartfelt speech from a beloved player, these moments remind us why we love the game of hockey so much.