The National Hockey League is an international professional ice hockey league, now comprising 31 teams: 24 in North America and 7 in Canada. Each team plays every other team in its conference twice, the home and away season being played a single year. The Stanley Cup, that's the greatest and the most prestigious cup prize in professional hockey, is given to the league's winner annually. More important than the prize, however, is the recognition that the prize inspires among players and fans.
The National Hockey League is an international professional ice hockey league, now comprising 31 teams: 24 in North America and 7 in Canada. Each team plays every other team in its conference twice, the home and away season being played a single year. The Stanley Cup, that's the greatest and the most prestigious cup prize in professional hockey, is given to the league's winner annually. More important than the prize, however, is the recognition that the prize inspires among players and fans.
Among the most prestigious awards given annually is the Presidents' Trophy, presented by the National Hockey League. The Presidents' Trophy is the only major award given to the player or group which has made the league among the top ten professionally arranged ice-hockey leagues in the world. The Presidents' Trophy is an award that's largely handed out by the hockey's governing body, the National Hockey League. Since its beginning in 1917, when it was initially presented to the ”Original Six” teams that joined the league, this prize was handed out to the winners of this trophy more frequently than any other award. There have been several teams and players that have become popular immediately, just because they won the Presidents' Trophy.
Two other teams, the Columbus Blue Jackets and Montreal Canadiens, also have captured the first first-season titles. Among the many wonderful teams and players that have played the teams which have won the Stanley Cup, some names have become synonymous with the League and its championships. Names like Wayne Gretzky, Bobby Orr, Phil Esposito, and the late Joe Sakas among others, have captivated the hearts and minds of baseball fans and have produced a degree of awe and affection for the sport and the players involved.
Unlike the old days when the only major league sport was baseball, the NHL has opened its doors wide open to different sports since its beginning. In actuality, the first period of this new league saw twelve unique teams compete. Although soccer and basketball are more popular than ever, the prevalence of hockey is growing at a tremendous pace and is projected to surpass basketball and football in the not too distant future. The presence of twelve distinct teams to play has generated some of the most extreme, thrill-seeking hockey games on Earth.
The Boston Bruins, Montreal Canadiens, and Toronto Maple Leafs are playoff teams, which makes it hard for any team to repeat a championship. Needless to say, there are also some old teams that have had long tenures in the League, such as the Ottawa Senators and the New York Rangers. The New York Rangers are the current winners, but they did lose in the Finals to the Boston Bruins this past year. However long a group has been around or how large a market they might have, the simple fact is that success rarely comes easy.
For people who love the aggressive spirit, there's nothing like playing in the National Hockey League. There are quite a few actors who are involved with the hockey league like stars such as Wayne Gretzky, Mark Messier, and lots of more. Even though the salary cap may prevent enormous titles from signing contracts with groups, it has certainly helped to improve the popularity of the game and attracted more international celebrities into the NHL fold also. Consequently, if you like the competition, then the National Hockey League may be your response as you search out new franchises on your own.
