The National Hockey League, or NHL, is one of the most popular sports leagues in North America. With a rich history spanning over 100 years, there are plenty of fascinating facts and tidbits that even diehard fans may not know. Here are some little-known trivia about the NHL:
Origin of the NHL
Did you know that the NHL was founded in Montreal, Canada? In fact, it all started with a meeting at the Windsor Hotel in Montreal on November 26, 1917. The league’s first president was Frank Calder, who served as the head of the NHL for over 30 years.
Firsts in NHL History
There have been many historic moments in NHL history, but did you know these were the firsts to occur?:
First goal scored – Maurice “Rocket” Richard of the Montreal Canadiens against the Toronto Maple Leafs on October 18, 1942.
First penalty shot awarded – On December 27, 1934, Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Earl Seibert was fouled by Detroit Red Wings forward Ebbie Goodfellow during an attempted breakaway. Seibert converted the penalty shot into a goal.
First player to score 50 goals in a season – Bernie Brophy of the New York Americans achieved this feat during the 1921-22 season.
Unusual Superstitions and Rituals
Hockey players can be superstitious creatures, and they often have strange rituals and routines before games. Some examples include:
Patrick Roy, former goaltender for the Colorado Avalanche, used to drink two cups of coffee before every game. He also had a specific routine for taping his stick.
Martin St. Louis, former winger for the Tampa Bay Lightning, would always put his left skate on before his right.
Surprising Player Stats
Some hockey stats might surprise you! For example:
Wayne Gretzky holds the record for most points in a single season with 215. However, he only won the scoring title once with less than 200 points.
Mario Lemieux, former center for the Pittsburgh Penguins, retired twice due to health issues but still managed to win four Stanley Cups.
Weird Hockey Injuries
In such a physical sport like hockey, injuries are bound to happen. But some of them can be quite bizarre. Check out these weird hockey injuries:
Hall of Fame defenseman Bobby Orr suffered a career-ending injury when he caught an edge while making a turn and crashed into the boards.
Former Vancouver Canucks captain Trevor Linden broke his nose after being hit by a puck that ricocheted off another player’s helmet.
Strange Game-Day Traditions
Every team has their own unique traditions and superstitions surrounding game day. Here are a few examples:
The Ottawa Senators play a recording of “O Canada” before each home game, which features a bagpipe solo from a local piper.
The Anaheim Ducks shoot rubber ducks onto the ice instead of teddy bears during their annual Teddy Bear Toss game.
Conclusion
These fun facts will make any hockey fan smile! From the origin of the NHL to strange game-day traditions, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. So next time you watch your favorite team take the ice, keep these interesting tidbits in mind.