The NHL was founded in 1917 and has since expanded from its original 6 teams to 30 total teams across North America, with 23 in the United States and 7 in Canada. It is made up of two conferences containing three divisions and awards the Lord Stanley's Cup to the playoff champion each year, with the Montreal Canadiens winning it 25 times and the Los Angeles Kings also among recent winners. Wayne Gretzky is considered the league's greatest player after winning four Stanley Cups over five years while playing for the Edmonton Oilers and Los Angeles Kings.

1. The NHL.

2. History

1917

Gary Bettman, 1991

Expanding: 1940s,
1974 6-18, 1990s last
12.

3. The league.
30 teams
2 conferences
3 divisions
5 teams
23 USA, 7 Canada

4. The original 6

6 ”first” teams

1942-1967

4 best playoffs.

Boston, 1st
american.

5. Lord Stanley's Cup.

Grand price

Winner, Plaquette

More rings attached

Canadiens, 25 times

La Kings

6. Wayne Gretzky
 1979-1999
 Greatest Player
 4 cups, 5 years.
 Edmonton – LA
 #99
 Popular in the US.

7. The Draft

7 rounds

Lottery

Champs pick last

Nail Yakupov

3 straight years.