Major Leagues of Professional Hockey All Time Franchise History

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Leagues

  • Eastern Canada Hockey Association (ECHA). 1908/09 - 1908/09. League formed by the all-pro teams of the Eastern Canada Amateur Hockey Association. First all-professional league. League renamed CHA.
  • Canadian Hockey Association (CHA). 1909/10 - 1909/10. Folded after just two weeks of play.
  • National Hockey Association (NHA). 1909/10 - 1916/17. Formed around Wanderers in opposition to CHA. Reorganized as NHL.
  • Pacific Coast Hockey Association (PCHL). 1911/12 - 1923/24 When league folded remaining teams joined WCHL.
  • National Hockey League (NHL). 1917/18 - present. Formed from NHA.
  • Western Canada Hockey League (WCHL). 1921/22 - 1924/25. League renamed WHL for '25/26 (last) season.
  • Western Hockey League (WHL). 1925/26 - 1925/26. Last year of WCHL. Best players sold as whole teams to two new NHL franchises.
  • World Hockey Association (WHA). 1972/73 - 1978/79. Four teams entered NHL.

    Teams

    (1) Montreal Shamrocks

    The Montreal Shamrocks, then called the Montreal Crystals, were one of the five founding franchises of the Amateur Hockey Association in 1886.

  • Montreal Shamrocks (ECHA). 1908/09 - 1908/09. Team joined CHA for 2 weeks, then joined NHA for '09/10 season.
  • Montreal Shamrocks (NHA). 1909/10 - 1909/10. Team dropped out of NHA before start of '10/11 season.

    (2) Montreal Wanderers

    Franchise established 1903/04 to play in the Federal Amateur Hockey League. Many players raided from the Montreal AAA.

  • Montreal Wanderers (ECHA). 1908/09 - 1908/09. Kicked out of ECHA, team founded NHA.
  • Montreal Wanderers (NHA). 1909/10 - 1916/17. Team joined NHL for '17/18 season.
  • Montreal Wanderers. 1917/18 - 1917/18. Folded during '17/18 season (6/20).

    (3) Ottawa/St. Louis

    The Ottawa Senators, then called the Ottawa Generals and later the Ottawa Silver Seven, were one of the five founding franchises of the Amateur Hockey Association in 1886.

  • Ottawa Senators(1) (ECHA). 1908/09 - 1908/09. Team joined CHA for 2 weeks, then joined NHA for '09/10 season.
  • Ottawa Senators (NHA). 1909/10 - 1916/17. Team joined NHL for '17/18 season.
  • Ottawa Senators. 1917/18 - 1930/31. Team suspended operations before '31/32 season, returning the next year.
  • Ottawa Senators. 1932/33 - 1933/34. Moved to St. Louis for '34/35 season.
  • St. Louis Eagles. 1934/35 - 1934/35. Folded before '35/36 season.

    (4) Quebec/Hamilton/New York (Brooklyn)

    The Quebec Bulldogs were one of the five founding franchises of the Amateur Hockey Association in 1886.

  • Quebec Bulldogs (ECHA). 1908/09 - 1908/09. Joined CHA, which lasted just 2 weeks before folding. Joined NHA the next year.
  • Quebec Bulldogs (NHA). 1910/11 - 1916/17. Team joined NHL for '17/18 but folded before season began. Franchise revived for '19/20 season.
  • Quebec Bulldogs. 1919/20 - 1919/20. Moved to Hamilton for '20/21 season.
  • Hamilton Tigers. 1920/21 - 1924/25. Moved to New York for '25/26 season.
  • New York Americans. 1925/26 - 1940/41. Team changed name for '41/42 season.
  • Brooklyn Americans. 1941/42 - 1941/42. Folded before '42/43 season.

    (5) Cobalt Silver Kings

  • Cobalt Silver Kings (NHA). 1909/10 - 1909/10. Team dropped out of NHA before start of '10/11 season. Franchise bought to restock the revived Quebec Bulldogs with players.

    (6) Haileybury

  • Haileybury (NHA). 1909/10 - 1909/10. Team dropped out of NHA before start of '10/11 season. Franchise bought to restock the revived Quebec Bulldogs with players.

    (7) Montreal Canadiens

  • Montreal Canadiens (NHA). 1909/10 - 1916/17. Team joined NHL for '17/18 season.
  • Montreal Canadiens. 1917/18 - present.

    (8) Renfrew Creamery Kings

  • Renfrew Creamery Kings (NHA). 1909/10 - 1910/11. Team dropped out of NHA before '11/12 season.

    (9) New Westminster/Portland/Victoria/Detroit

  • New Westminster Royals (PCHA). 1911/12 - 1913/14. Moved to Portland for '14/15 season.
  • Portland Rosebuds(1) (PCHA). 1914/15 - 1917/18. Moved to Victoria for '18/19 season.
  • Victoria Aristocrats(2) (PCHA). 1918/19 - 1919/20. Team changed name for '20/21 season.
  • Victoria Cougars (PCHA). 1920/21 1923/24 Team joined WCHL for '24/25 season.
  • Victoria Cougars (WCHL). 1924/25 - 1925/26. Team (players) sold into NHL and moved to Detroit.
  • Detroit Cougars. 1926/27 - 1929/30. (Home games played in Windsor prior to arena construction in Detroit). Team changed name for '30/31 season.
  • Detroit Falcons. 1930/31 - 1932/33. Team changed name for '33/34 season.
  • Detroit Red Wings. 1933/34 - present.

    (10) Vancouver

  • Vancouver Millionaires (PCHA). 1911/12 - 1921/22. Team changed name for '22/23 season.
  • Vancouver Maroons (PCHA). 1922/23 - 1923/24. Team joined WCHL for '24/25 season.
  • Vancouver Maroons (WCHL). 1924/25 - 1925/26. League folded before '26/27 season.

    (11) Victoria/Spokane

  • Victoria Senators (PCHA). 1911/12 - 1911/12. Team changed name before '12/13 season.
  • Victoria Aristocrats(1) (PCHA). 1912/13 - 1915/16. Moved to Spokane for '16/17 season.
  • Spokane Canaries (PCHA). 1916/17 - 1916/17. Folded before '17/18 season.

    (12) Toronto

  • Toronto Blueshirts (NHA). 1912/13 - 1916/17. Team kicked out of NHA during '16/17 season (14/20). Franchise revived by NHL for '17/18 season.
  • Toronto Arenas. 1917/18 - 1918/19. Team changed name for '19/20 season.
  • Toronto St. Pats. 1919/20 - 1925/26. Team changed name for '26/27 season.
  • Toronto Maple Leafs. 1926/27 - present.

    (13) Toronto Tecumsehs/Ontarios/Shamrocks

  • Toronto Tecumsehs (NHA). 1912/13 - 1912/13. Team changed name before '13/14 season.
  • Toronto Ontarios (NHA). 1913/14 - 1914/15. Team changed name during '14/15 season.
  • Toronto Shamrocks (NHA). 1914/15 - 1914/15. Team dropped out of NHA before '15/16 season.

    (14) Seattle Metropolitans

  • Seattle Metropolitans (PCHA). 1915/16 - 1923/24. Folded before '24/25 season.

    (15) 228th Battalion

  • 228th Battalion, Canadian Army (NHA). 1916/17 - 1916/17. Ordered overseas during '16/17 season (12/20).

    (16) Calgary Tigers

  • Calgary Tigers (WCHL). 1921/22 - 1925/26. League folded before '26/27 season.

    (17) Edmonton Eskimos

  • Edmonton Eskimos (WCHL). 1921/22 - 1925/26. League folded before '26/27 season.

    (18) Regina/Portland/Chicago

  • Regina Capitals (WCHL). 1921/22 - 1924/25. Moved to Portland for '25/26 season.
  • Portland Rosebuds(2) (WHL). 1925/26 - 1925/26. Team (players) sold into NHL and moved to Chicago.
  • Chicago Black Hawks 1926/27 - 1984/85. Team made minor name change for '85/86 season.
  • Chicago Blackhawks. 1985/86 - present.

    (19) Saskatoon/Moose Jaw

  • Saskatoon Sheiks (WCHL). 1921/22 - 1921/22. Team fled to Moose Jaw for last part of '21/22 season.
  • Moose Jaw Sheiks (WCHL). 1921/22 - 1921/22. Moved back to Saskatoon for '22/23 season.
  • Saskatoon Sheiks (WCHL). 1922/23 - 1922/23. Team changed name for '23/24 season.
  • Saskatoon Crescents (WCHL). 1923/24 - 1925/26. League folded before '26/27 season.

    (20) Boston Bruins

  • Boston Bruins. 1924/25 - present.

    (21) Montreal Maroons

  • Montreal Maroons. 1924/25 - 1937/38. Folded before '38/39 season.

    (22) Pittsburgh/Philadelphia

  • Pittsburgh Pirates. 1925/26 - 1929/30. Moved to Philadelphia for '30/31 season.
  • Philadelphia Quakers. 1930/31 - 1930/31. Folded before '31/32 season.

    (23) New York Rangers

  • New York Rangers. 1926/27 - present.

    (24) Los Angeles Kings

  • Los Angeles Kings. 1967/68 - present.

    (25A) California/Oakland/Cleveland

  • California Seals. 1967/68 - 1967/68. Team changed name during '67/68 season.
  • Oakland Seals. 1967/68 - 1969/70. Team changed name for '70/71 season.
  • California Golden Seals. 1970/71 - 1975/76. Moved to Cleveland for '76/77 season.
  • Cleveland Barons. 1976/77 - 1977/78. Team merged with Minnesota for '78/79 season.

    (25B) Minnesota/Dallas

  • Minnesota North Stars. 1967/68 - 1977/78. Team merged with Cleveland for '78/79 season.
  • Minnesota North Stars. 1978/79 - 1992/93. Moved to Dallas for '93/94 season.
  • Dallas Stars. 1993/94 - present.

    (27) Philadelphia Flyers

  • Philadelphia Flyers. 1967/68 - present.

    (28) Pittsburgh Penguins

  • Pittsburgh Penguins. 1967/68 - present.

    (29) St. Louis Blues

  • St. Louis Blues. 1967/68 - present.

    (30) Buffalo Sabres

  • Buffalo Sabres. 1970/71 - present.

    (31) Vancouver Canucks

  • Vancouver Canucks. 1970/71 - present.

    (32) Atlanta/Calgary

  • Atlanta Flames. 1972/73 - 1979/80. Moved to Calgary for '80/81 season.
  • Calgary Flames. 1980/81 - present.

    (33) New York Islanders

  • New York Islanders. 1972/73 - present.

    (n/a) Calgary Broncos

  • Calgary Broncos (WHA). Failed to post bond for '72/73 season and folded before the season began.

    (n/a) Miami Screaming Eagles

  • Miami Screaming Eagles (WHA). Failed to post bond for '72/73 season and folded before the season began.

    (34) Alberta/Edmonton Oilers

  • Alberta Oilers (WHA). 1972/73 - 1973/74. Team changed name during '73/74 season.
  • Edmonton Oilers (WHA). 1973/74 - 1978/79. Team joined NHL for '79/80 season.
  • Edmonton Oilers. 1979/80 - present.

    (35) Ottawa/Toronto/Birmingham

  • Ottawa Nationals (WHA). 1972/73 - 1972/73. Moved to Toronto for '73/74 season.
  • Toronto Toros (WHA). 1973/74 - 1975/76. Moved to Birmingham for '76/77 season.
  • Birmingham Bulls (WHA). 1976/77 - 1978/79. League folded after '78/79 season.

    (36) Cleveland/Florida/Minnesota

  • Cleveland Crusaders (WHA). 1972/73 - 1975/76. Moved to Ft. Lauderdale after '75/76 season. (No games played there).
  • Florida Breakers (WHA). Moved to Minnesota for '76/77 season. Cleveland players released.
  • Minnesota Fighting Saints(2) (WHA). 1976/77 - 1976/77. Folded during '76/77 season (42/80).

    (37) Chicago Cougars

  • Chicago Cougars (WHA). 1972/73 - 1974/75. Folded before '76/77 season.

    (38) Philadelphia/Vancouver/Calgary

  • Philadelphia Blazers (WHA). 1972/73 - 1972/73. Moved to Vancouver for '73/74 season.
  • Vancouver Blazers (WHA). 1973/74 - 1974/75. Moved to Calgary for '75/76 season.
  • Calgary Cowboys (WHA). 1975/76 - 1976/77. Folded before '77/78 season.

    (39) Minnesota Fighting Saints

  • Minnesota Fighting Saints(1) (WHA). 1972/73 - 1975/76. Folded before '76/77 season. Most players went to Minnesota Fighting Saints(2). franchise.

    (40) Houston Aeros

  • Houston Aeros (WHA). 1972/73 - 1977/78. Folded before '78/79 season.

    (41) Los Angeles/Michigan/Baltimore

  • Los Angeles Sharks (WHA). 1972/73 - 1973/74. Moved to Michigan for '74/75 season.
  • Michigan Stags (WHA). 1973/74 - 1973/74. Moved to Baltimore during '74/75 season.
  • Baltimore Blades (WHA). 1973/74 - 1974/75. Folded before '75/76 season.

    (42) New England/Hartford/Carolina

  • New England Whalers (WHA). 1972/73 - 1978/79. Team shifted from Boston to Hartford for '73/74 season. Joined NHL for '79/80 season.
  • Hartford Whalers. 1979/80 - 1996/97. Team moved from Hartford to Raleigh before the '97/98 season.
  • Carolina Hurricanes. 1997/98 - present. (Home games played in Greensboro (1997/98 - present) pending arena construction in Raleigh).

    (43) New York/New Jersey/San Diego

  • New York Raiders (WHA). 1972/73 - 1972/73. Team changed name for '73/74 season.
  • New York Golden Blades (WHA). 1973/74 - 1973/74. Moved to New Jersey during '73/74 season.
  • New Jersey Knights (WHA). 1973/74 - 1973/74. Moved to San Diego for '74/75 season.
  • San Diego Mariners (WHA). 1974/75 - 1976/77. Folded before '77/78 season.

    (44) Quebec/Colorado

  • Quebec Nordiques (WHA). 1972/73 - 1978/79. Joined NHL for '79/80 season.
  • Quebec Nordiques. 1979/80 - 1994/95. Moved to Denver for the '95/96 season.
  • Colorado Avalanche. 1995/96 - present.

    (45) Winnipeg/Phoenix

  • Winnipeg Jets (WHA). 1972/73 - 1978/79. Joined NHL for '79/80 season.
  • Winnipeg Jets. 1979/80 - 1995/96. Moved to Phoenix for the '96/97 season.
  • Phoenix Coyotes. 1996/97 - present.

    (46) Kansas City/Colorado/New Jersey

  • Kansas City Scouts. 1974/75 - 1975/76. Moved to Denver for '76/77 season.
  • Colorado Rockies. 1976/77 - 1981/82. Moved to New Jersey for '82/83 season.
  • New Jersey Devils. 1982/83 - present.

    (47) Washington Capitals

  • Washington Capitals. 1974/75 - present.

    (48) Indianapolis Racers

  • Indianapolis Racers (WHA). 1974/75 - 1978/79. Folded during '78/79 season (25/80).

    (49) Phoenix Roadrunners

  • Phoenix Roadrunners (WHA). 1974/75 - 1976/77. Folded before '77/78 season.

    (50) Cincinnati Stingers

  • Cincinnati Stingers (WHA). 1975/76 - 1978/79. Folded after '78/79 season.

    (51) Denver/Ottawa

  • Denver Spurs (WHA). 1975/76 - 1975/76. Moved to Ottawa during '75/76 season.
  • Ottawa Civics (WHA). 1975/76 - 1975/76. Folded during '75/76 season (41/80)

    (52) San Jose Sharks

  • San Jose Sharks. 1991/92 - present. (Home games played in San Francisco (1991/92 - ?) pending arena construction in San Jose).

    (53) Tampa Bay Lightning

  • Tampa Bay Lightning. 1992/93 - present.

    (54) Ottawa Senators

  • Ottawa Senators(2). 1992/93 - present.

    (55) Anaheim Mighty Ducks

  • Mighty Ducks of Anaheim. 1993/94 - present.

    (56) Florida Panthers

  • Florida Panthers. 1993/94 - present.

    (57) in Nashville

  • Nashville Predators. Starting 1998/99.

    (58) in Atlanta

  • Atlanta Thrashers. Starting 1999/00.

    (59) in Columbus

  • Columbus Blue Jackets. Starting 2000/01.

    (60) in Minneapolis-St. Paul

  • Minnesota Wild. Starting 2000/01.

    Notation

    Leagues other than the NHL are specified after team names. The notation (x/y) indicates the franchise folded during the season, after completing "x" of the "y" scheduled games.

    Sources

    Mike D. (mdoyle@trwind.trw.com)

    Klein, Jeff Z. and Karl-Eric Reif. The Klein and Reif Hockey Compendium. Toronto: McClelland and Stewart Limited. 1986.

    Whitehead, Eric. The Patricks: Hockey's Royal Family. Halifax: Formac Publishing Company Limited. 1980.