Why did the NHL expand in 1967?

The National Hockey League (NHL) undertook a major expansion for the 1967–68 season. This expansion, including placing two new clubs on the West Coast, was the result of the league’s fears of a rival league that would challenge the NHL for players and the Stanley Cup.

How did hockey spread to America?

History of ice hockey in the United States The game soon spread south through Canadian immigrants, who played the stick and ball game referred to as “shinny” on frozen ponds and lakes in the winter. The U.S. Amateur Hockey League then became a member of the International Ice Hockey Federation in 1904.

How did ice hockey spread?

Origins. Until the mid-1980s it was generally accepted that ice hockey derived from English field hockey and Indian lacrosse and was spread throughout Canada by British soldiers in the mid-1800s.

When did the NHL expand into the United States?

The NHL realized it was time to catch up, and catch up it did. The NHL expansion of 1967 doubled the size of the league, making it the biggest single-year expansion in any major professional sport. The six teams added in 1967: California Seals (merged with the North Stars in 1978)

When did the NHL expand from 6?

1967
The first NHL expansion occurred a full 50 years after the league was created, but the 1967 NHL expansion definitely lived up to the motto, “Go big or go home.” After the expansion, the NHL had doubled in size — from six to 12 teams — and established a solid presence across the U.S.

When did the NHL change the divisions?

The NHL’s expansion of 1967, the biggest one-time expansion in any major sport, doubled the size of the league. East and West Divisions were thus created. Between 1974 and 1993, the NHL ballooned from 18 teams to 24.

What was the first NHL expansion team?

The 1967 NHL Expansion Draft The six expansion teams approved by the NHL Board of Governors were the California Seals (San Francisco/Oakland), Los Angeles Kings, Minnesota North Stars, Philadelphia Flyers, Pittsburgh Penguins and St. Louis Blues.