First Indoor Ice Hockey Game
The first recorded indoor ice hockey game took place on March 3, 1875, at the Victoria Skating Rink in Montreal, Canada. This event is considered the birth of modern ice hockey.
1875
1886
Formation of the Amateur Hockey Association of Canada (AHAC)
The AHAC was formed, becoming the first organized ice hockey league. It played a crucial role in standardizing the rules of ice hockey.
1893
Introduction of the Stanley Cup
The Stanley Cup was donated by Lord Stanley of Preston as a trophy for the best amateur ice hockey team in Canada. It is now awarded annually to the champion of the National Hockey League (NHL).
1917
Formation of the National Hockey League (NHL)
The NHL was established on November 26, 1917, in Montreal, Canada. It has since become the premier professional ice hockey league in the world.
1920
Ice Hockey in the Olympics
Ice hockey was included in the Olympic Games for the first time during the Summer Olympics in Antwerp, Belgium. Canada won the gold medal in the inaugural tournament.
1924
First Winter Olympics Ice Hockey Tournament
Ice hockey was featured in the first Winter Olympics held in Chamonix, France. Canada again emerged as the gold medalist.
1942
Original Six Era of the NHL
The NHL reduced to six teams, known as the "Original Six," which included the Montreal Canadiens, Toronto Maple Leafs, Boston Bruins, Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Red Wings, and New York Rangers. This era lasted until 1967.
1967
NHL Expansion
The NHL expanded from six to twelve teams, marking the end of the Original Six era. This was the largest expansion in NHL history at that time.
1972
Summit Series
The Summit Series was an eight-game series between the Soviet Union and Canada. It was a landmark event in ice hockey history, highlighting the rivalry between the two nations.
1979
Merger of NHL and WHA
The NHL merged with the World Hockey Association (WHA), adding four new teams to the league: the Edmonton Oilers, Hartford Whalers, Quebec Nordiques, and Winnipeg Jets.
1980
Miracle on Ice
The United States men's ice hockey team won the gold medal at the Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, defeating the heavily favored Soviet Union team in a historic match known as the "Miracle on Ice."
1998
NHL Players in the Olympics
For the first time, NHL players were allowed to participate in the Winter Olympics held in Nagano, Japan. This brought a higher level of competition and visibility to the sport.
2005
NHL Lockout
The entire 2004-2005 NHL season was canceled due to a lockout, marking the first time a North American professional sports league lost an entire season due to a labor dispute.
2018
NHL Opts Out of Olympics
The NHL decided not to allow its players to participate in the Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, South Korea, breaking a streak of five consecutive Winter Games featuring NHL talent.
2021
Seattle Kraken Joins the NHL
The Seattle Kraken became the NHL's 32nd team, beginning play in the 2021-2022 season. This expansion marked the league's continued growth and popularity.
