Hockey began in Canada in the mid-1800s. By the early 1900's, hockey had become Canada's national sport. Since then, hockey has become popular in many other countries, especially Russia, Sweden, and the United States. In Canada and the United States, thousands of amateur players take part in community, high school, and college contests.
The first Stanley Cup winner was the 1958-1959 Toronto Areans. But the second Stanley Cup was not finished because of an influenza epidemic in Seattle. The first professional hockey team was organized at Houghtoh, Michigan, in 1903. Most of the players were Canadians. Hockey's first league, the International Pro Hockey League, was started in 1904. It included teams from both Canada and the United States. Several other professional leagues were started soon after 1904.
The National Hockey League was formed in Montreal in 1917 from an earlier professional league, the National Hockey Association. The four original NHL teams wer the Montreal Canadians, Montreal Wanderers, Ottawa Senators, and Toronto Areanas. Six-man teams, which were first introduced in 1904, became the rules in the newly organized NHL.
In 1924, the Boston Bruins were
the first U. S. team to join the NHL.
Just think, in the 1800s hockey began. About how long has hockey been around?
Find answer on the answer page you can access from our homepage.