Subscribe to our social channels to get the latest news about Hungary!
Major hockey leagues in the World
Change language:
The NHL is arguably one of the most popular and top hockey leagues in the world in terms of viewership, fanbase, and talent. Top players globally aspire to play in the NHL and win the legendary Stanley Cup. However, the hockey league is not an exclusive North American confederation, as many European-based leagues also keep developing talent. In this discussion, we explore the major hockey leagues in the world. Read on;
National Hockey League (NHL)
The National Hockey League, or NHL, is North America’s professional ice hockey league. It was founded in 1917 as a successor to the National Hockey Association. Today, it comprises 30 teams from the United States and Canada. The NHL’s regular season runs from October to April, and each team plays 82 games.
The NHL is widely considered the premier professional ice hockey league worldwide. The playoffs, which are single-elimination tournaments, are held in May and June. The Stanley Cup, the league’s championship trophy, is awarded to the winning team of the NHL odds playoffs.
The Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
The Ontario Hockey League (OHL) was established in 1980 and is among the world’s best junior hockey leagues. It consists of 20 clubs, seventeen of which are headquartered in Ontario, Canada, 3 in Michigan, and one in Pennsylvania.
The OHL is primarily regarded as the premier development league for NHL prospects, with many of its players going on to have successful professional careers. Each club may have players aged between 16 and 21 on its roster who play 68 games throughout the season, from September to April.
American Hockey League (AHL)
The American Hockey League is the major developing league of the National Hockey League (NHL). It’s a professional ice hockey league based in the U.S. and Canada. It debuted in 1936 with just seven teams and has subsequently expanded to include 32 clubs throughout North America. Twenty-six teams are in the U.S., while six are in Canada.
The AHL offers a high level of competition for young players and a stepping stone to the NHL for those wishing to advance their skills. It has also been a popular destination for veteran players trying to prolong their careers. As a result, the league has become an essential component of the North American hockey scene.
Would the author of this article kindly elaborate on two things?
1) What were the criteria for creating this shortlist?
2) How did the national leagues of Sweden, Finland or the Czech republic not get onto the shortlist? Each of these is objectively better than the Slovak national league (with all due respect).