A timeline of NHL history from the 1917 founding through the Original Six, expansion, Gretzky, lockouts, outdoor games, and today's 32-team league.
More than a century of the National Hockey League: the 1917 founding, the Original Six, expansion, Gretzky, lockouts, outdoor games, and the modern 32-team era.
The National Hockey League is formed at Montreal's Windsor Hotel by teams leaving the National Hockey Association.
The league debuts with games in Ottawa and Montreal; the Montreal Wanderers and Canadiens win the openers.
The Bruins play their first NHL game, beginning the league's expansion into the United States.
After the Brooklyn Americans fold, the NHL stabilizes at six teams - Montreal, Toronto, Boston, Chicago, Detroit, and New York - for 25 seasons.
Maurice 'Rocket' Richard of the Canadiens becomes the first NHL player to score 50 goals in a 50-game season.
Willie O'Ree debuts for the Boston Bruins, becoming the first Black player in NHL history.
After taking a shot to the face, Montreal's Jacques Plante returns wearing a mask and keeps it, changing goaltending forever.
Six new franchises are stocked at the 1967 expansion draft, doubling the NHL to 12 teams in one stroke.
Orr scores the Stanley Cup-winning goal in overtime and soars through the air - one of hockey's most famous images.
NHL stars face the Soviet national team for the first time; Paul Henderson's late goal wins the series for Canada.
Edmonton, Hartford, Quebec, and Winnipeg are admitted from the World Hockey Association, bringing Wayne Gretzky into the NHL.
The Oilers deal Wayne Gretzky to the Kings in a trade that shocks Canada and supercharges hockey's growth in the US.
The NHL installs Gary Bettman as its first commissioner, beginning an era of aggressive expansion.
The New York Rangers win Game 7 against Vancouver for their first Stanley Cup since 1940.
Wayne Gretzky retires holding 61 NHL records; the league retires his No. 99 across all teams.
The NHL becomes the first major North American league to lose a full season to a labor dispute.
A new CBA introduces a hard salary cap; rule changes and the shootout revive scoring when play resumes.
Pittsburgh beats Buffalo in a snowy outdoor game at Ralph Wilson Stadium, launching an annual New Year's tradition.
In the NHL's centennial season, expansion Vegas debuts and improbably reaches the Stanley Cup Final in year one.
The Kraken play their first game, completing the league's growth to 32 franchises.
Alex Ovechkin scores career goal 895, passing Wayne Gretzky as the NHL's all-time leading goal scorer.
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