The National Hockey League (NHL)
The NHL was established in November 1917. Initially, there were five franchises: the Montreal Canadiens, Ottawa Senators, Montreal Wanderers, Quebec Bulldogs, and the Toronto Arenas. There were many changes to the NHL and its teams between 1917 and 1941, but in 1942 the league stabilized with the teams that have become known as the "Original Six." The original six teams were the Boston Bruins, Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Red Wings, Montreal Canadiens, New York Rangers, and the Toronto Maple Leafs. Today, there are 30 teams in 30 cities across North America (6 in Canada and 24 in the U.S.).
Object of The Game
Hockey is played on an ice surface by two teams of six players wearing skates that allow them to move at speeds of up to 30 mph. The object of this fast-paced game is for the players, using a stick, to put a small hard rubber disk (puck) into the net of the opposing team, thus scoring a goal. The team with the most goals at the end of the game wins. The rules governing the game are designed to keep the game flowing with lots of action up and down the ice.
- Rules of the Game - basic
- Rules of the Game - penalties
- Rules of the Game - positions
- Rules of the Game - terminology
A Goal
A goal is scored when the puck entirely crosses the vertical plane of the red goal line into the net. A goal will not be allowed if the puck has been thrown or otherwise deliberately directed by an attacking player into the net by any means other than the stick. However, the puck can be deflected off a skate or off the attacking player's body if no overt attempt is made to throw or kick it into the net. If a player of the defending team puts the puck into the net in any way, the goal will also be allowed. A goal will be disallowed if an attacking player initiates contact with the goaltender.
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