NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE

(NHL) organization of professional ice hockey teams in North America, formed in 1917 by five Canadian teams, to which the first U.S. team, the Boston Bruins, was added in 1924. The NHL became the strongest league in North America and in 1926 took permanent possession of the Stanley Cup, representing world supremacy in ice hockey. Headquarters are in Montreal. League membership rose to 10, then dropped, and held steady at 6 after 1942. After various periods of expansion and reorganization, the NHL in the mid-1990s consisted of 26 teams in two conferences and four divisions. Eastern Conference: Atlantic Division: Florida Panthers, New Jersey Devils, New York Islanders, New York Rangers, Philadelphia Flyers, Tampa Bay Lightning, Washington Capitals. Northeast Division: Boston Bruins, Buffalo Sabres, Hartford Whalers, Montreal Canadiens, Ottawa Senators, Pittsburgh Penguins. Western Conference: Central Division: Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Red Wings, Dallas Stars, Phoenix Coyotes, St. Louis Blues, Toronto Maple Leafs. Pacific Division: Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, Calgary Flames, Colorado Avalanche, Edmonton Oilers, Los Angeles Kings, San Jose Sharks, Vancouver Canucks. At the end of the league's regular winter season, the top teams in each division engage in a play-off for possession of the Stanley Cup.