While I agree with the staff answer that the “National” in NHL refers to Canada, the question was a two or three part question, and one part never got answered:
The last part of the question asked why it isn’t called the “North American Hockey League”? And, today, that is a good question. I am Canadian, and as we say here, “It’s our game”, but there are teams on both sides of the border, now, ever since the NY Rangers and Boston Bruins joined the league.
The Stanley Cup that is hoisted at the Stanley Cup Final is not the original Stanley Cup. I think this is the third version. Why can’t the name change too?
It would make more sense to call it Major League Hockey since Major League Baseball also has teams from both sides of the border.
El NHL no tiene un equipo en México.
That, and a century of branding, along with most Americans not realizing that the National in NHL refers to Canada, not the USA.
Well, to be honest, I think it’s a dreadful question, because the answer is so obvious; it’s called the NHL because it’s been called the NHL since before almost all of its fans were even BORN, and it would be insane to give up a century’s worth of branding.
The term “National” is also used by the National Basketball Association, which has a team in Canada, and was used by the National League of Baseball while it had a club in Canada. The American League is still called that despite having a Canadian team, and the Ontario Hockey League has at least two teams I can think of that are not in Ontario. The World Series is not technically a world championship, the Super Bowl isn’t fought over a bowl, and the trophy they give out for winning the World Cup is not a cup at all. If the National Football League were to add a team in Canada or London, England, they would not change the name. Branding matters more than geographic accuracy.
I did not realize there were only two Canadian teams in the NHL Original Six. Not claiming (can’t) to be very knowledgeable about sports. I was just curious as to what your answers might be to the final question in yesterday’s question. Branding seems to be the answer. So…okay. Thanks, guys.
Actually, it’s not so much that there are only two Canadian teams. The reason is that they’re not truly the “original” six in the league. It’s also just a marketing term, mostly to disguish them from the league expansion in 1967. (I can’t remember when it became those six particular teams – I’d have to look it up)
I looked it up myself. It is the term used to describe the league between 1942, with the demise of the Brooklyn Americans, and the expansion of 1967. It was the Rangers, Bruins, Black Hawks, Red Wings, Maple Leafs and Canadiens. Thanks for the education. I just remember my dad being glued to the TV rooting for the, IIRC, Black Hawks. That was his team. Back in those days, people weren’t as stuck on which country the team was from because there were so few choices.
