NHL teams History of names and nicknames of NHL clubs (30 photos). Los Angeles Kings

This is such a special form of childhood.

You start skating at three or four years old, skate in the yard, play hockey with the neighborhood boys, after which you are entered into one of a thousand children's leagues. For the next 8-10 years you travel all over the country by bus, playing with your peers. Those who have ever driven along Canadian highways probably remember the countless number of buses running back and forth. These are, for the most part, carriers of children's teams. You're not only playing with peers from Ontario and Quebec, not at all, you're covering huge distances to get to the Northwest Territories, Nunavut or Yukon. This is your childhood, and it is dedicated to hockey - just as your whole life will be dedicated to it.

In 2013, one of the famous North American personal growth motivators held a series of meetings with young players from minor leagues. He offered to take a simple test - you had to write on a piece of paper your 5 main goals in life. It's easy, right? However, there was only one condition - you couldn’t enter anything related to hockey, family or friends.

Most hockey players sat with blank sheets of paper until the end of the test.

Hockey is incredibly popular in Canada. They talk about hockey at work, in diners, even on first dates, to avoid awkward silence, they start talking about hockey specifically - fortunately, everyone watches it. Hockey is the oldest and most deeply ingrained Canadian disease. But why are the rich Canadian clubs, which the entire population of the country supports, in such a deplorable sporting situation?

Where the Canadian teams (all seven) did not qualify for the Stanley Cup playoffs were considered. It was about the sports component of this minor process. But besides this, there are also everyday reasons, so to speak, things that are not too commonly discussed: in general, Canadian clubs are less attractive to NHL players (regardless of nationality) than American ones.

Why is this happening?

There are three main reasons.

Winternipeg instead of the Big Apple.

In 2015, thanks to the efforts of ESPN, agents compiled a list of the most undesirable clubs for hockey players in the League. There were 4 Canadian clubs in the top five (according to the ranking: 1. Edmonton, 2. Winnipeg, 4-5. Ottawa and Toronto), and all seven were in the top ten. To sign a free agent, Edmonton or Winnipeg will have to overpay significantly, and the player will demand a completely different amount than, for example, from the conditional Rangers.

Canada is a beautiful country with amazing nature, clean air, the highest quality of life and the highest paid middle class on the globe. But small (compared to American) Canadian cities aren't very attractive if you're in your 20s or 30s, like the vast majority of NHL players, and want some adventure. Player Shaw is not middle class, and the calm, measured life in the country of the maple leaf, by and large, annoys him. All hockey players love to stay in New York or Los Angeles, but no one would ever dream of spending an extra night in Winnipeg.

On top of that, some Canadian cities are too specific. Montreal is located in the province of Quebec, and there is a completely different mentality and way of life - mostly European, not North American. Coming to Montreal, a hockey player not only has to restructure himself, but also get used to the French language. Okay, Montreal, they at least communicate more or less in English, but what if Quebec joins the NHL? A city where no one wanted to go before, except true Francophones.

In general, Winnipeg is small and has a terrible climate, Edmonton is a real hellish wilderness, there is absolutely nothing to do in Calgary in your spare time, and Ottawa is too close to Toronto: each has its drawbacks.

Pressure.

Canada lives by hockey, and stick masters in this country are treated like gods who, due to some misunderstanding, came to earth. But this sick form of adoration also has its dark side - the level of expectations is always very high, as a result of which any Canadian team is subject to intense pressure. If we rate the level of pressure in American teams as equal to one on a scale of ten (Boston and Detroit can reach three in a good season), then in Canadian clubs it will be at least five, in Montreal eight (and nine, if the Habs woke up and became a contender), and in Toronto - a top ten, independent of anything - neither the coach, nor the GM, nor the roster.

Canada lives by hockey, everyone knows the players by sight, so they are constantly under pressure. Going to a bar with club partners is a common occurrence in large US cities, where there are many sports clubs, and hockey is not the most popular game. But in Canada, everything is different: the same trip to the bar the next day will end in defeat in the media with a detailed report: how much the hockey player drank, how much he paid for it, how he was rowdy, who he hooked up with, and at the end there will also be a note of moralizing - but I thought is he talking about the club and its fans, drinking with a girl on his lap and bawling songs at karaoke? And this applies to all Canadian cities - both small and large, the player must always take care of himself, relaxation is like death.

The press presses all the time. If in the USA after a match a hockey player answers ten usual questions with cliches (“Why did you lose today?” - “The opponent was good, they beat us, but we will pull ourselves together and fight in the next game”) and goes home, then in Canada these questions there are much more, and they are much deeper; you can’t get away with simple excuses from local journalists. The unspoken code of communication with journalists was first adopted by Canadian clubs (“Don’t be rude; don’t dare hurt someone’s feelings; try to remember the name of the journalist and address him by name, this will increase your level of trust; never lie, even if the question inconvenient, it’s better to just remain silent; never speak on behalf of the club; don’t raise your voice,” etc.), and hockey players should under no circumstances violate it.

Pressure only from an everyday point of view seems to be an insignificant reason, but it runs like a red line throughout life. professional athlete, living in Canada. Your neighbors are filming your departure for training, you can’t go to the store, you are always the number one target, because you are a hockey player in the most hockey country.

Canadian hockey players who grew up with posters of Toronto and Montreal players on their walls will never directly say that they do not want to go to their dream clubs. But they understand too well what awaits them there.

As a result, a situation often arises when a player comes to a Canadian club after an American one, and after only one season in the country of the maple leaf asks to be traded with the only wording: “Just let it not be a Canadian team!”

Taxes and other financial components.

We live in a mercantile world in which a person can withstand a lot - both Zimnipeg with its two bars and the eternal cold, and French, and press pressure - but only if they pay very well for it. However, from this side, Canada is less attractive for living. The country has three levels of taxes (!!!) - federal, provincial or territorial, and local. The primary tax rate for hockey players starts at 29%, and that's just the beginning. Together with all required fees at the expense of the state and depending on the province in which the player lives, the amount of tax deductions reaches 54.2% (the province of British Columbia, where Vancouver is located) - this is a normal figure for Western Europe, for example, but much more than in the USA. In Canada you have to pay for everything - income tax, sales tax, income tax, excise taxes, social security, registration and licensing fees, only health insurance is free, and it would still be paid with such and such taxation. It is the government tax system that helps Canada maintain a stable economic environment and put the urban middle class on a pedestal, but what is good for the middle class is not always good for those with a lot of money. And hockey players usually have a lot of them. But how much will remain on the card after paying all taxes and the traditional 18% escrow for the NHL (this 18% can come back at the end of the season, which is far from a fact)?

Among other things, if in the USA, for example, the purchase of real estate is encouraged - there is an immediate tax relief - then Canadian legislation does not provide for such a scheme. Food is more expensive, clothing is more expensive, Montreal is more expensive than New York in everything except luxury restaurants, all real estate transactions are more expensive, especially after housing prices collapsed in the American market in 2009. A conventional million in the USA and Canada are different things.

Any Canadian boy dreams of playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs or Montreal Canadiens, clubs with great history and traditions, but life takes its toll, and in the end it turns out that in a modest team from the USA he will simply have more money.

Of course, for any hockey player, the main thing is not money, but titles. If the clubs in the country of the maple leaf were true contenders, then they would still want to go to them, as was the case in the eighties with the Oilers: Gretzky played there, which means there was always a chance to win the Stanley Cup, and it doesn’t matter that the city of Edmonton is a hole - hole, and the legislation is bothering you like crazy. But the point is that last time The Stanley Cup came to Canada 23 years ago (1993, Habs), and now the situation with Canadian clubs is like a vicious circle. Hockey players do not want to go to Canada for all the above reasons, as a result of which clubs are forced to develop, in fact, only through the draft, and not by signing free agents and making high-profile trades. Draft development is a complex and long journey, and if you don't believe me, then ask the Edmonton Oilers, a team that has a huge number of first picks, but is consistently at the bottom.

The words of the Canadian anthem do not lie - it truly is “The True North, strong and free!”

But it doesn’t say how difficult it is for hockey players to build their lives in the cold house of the True Northwoman.

Basketball).

The National Hockey League was founded on November 26, 1917, initially consisting of only five teams (all Canadian), two of which play in NHL from the creation of the league to the present day ( Montreal Canadiens And Toronto Maple Leafs). The NHL was not the first North American professional hockey organization, and in the first years of its existence - and not the only one. First, the Pacific Coast Hockey Association competed with it for the title of the strongest league ( The Pacific Coast Hockey Association, PCHA), and then the "Western Canada Hockey League" ( The Western Canada Hockey League, WCHL).

The first American team to join the NHL was in 1924 Boston Bruins, and two years later there were already ten teams playing in the league. By this time, the "competitors" of the National Hockey League had disbanded and NHL remains the only major league in American hockey.

Montreal Canadiens in the early thirties of the XX century

Hockey players Detroit Red Wings, 1954

The Great Depression and later World War II led to a decline in NHL. By 1942, only six teams remained in the league, becoming known as the "Original Six": Boston Bruins, Chicago Black Hawks, Detroit Red Wings, Montreal Canadiens, New York Rangers And Toronto Maple Leafs. The NHL existed with this composition until the end of the sixties.

In 1958 at the National hockey league the first black player appeared, Willie O'Ree, who received the nickname "Jackie Robinson of hockey" (named after famous athlete, who “broke” the racial barrier in baseball).

In 1967, the "expansion period" began NHL, the number of teams in the league doubled that season and continued to grow in the following decades (reaching the modern thirty in 2001).

At the end of the last century and the beginning of this century, the National Hockey League experienced a series of shocks (strikes and lockouts) caused by labor disputes between the players' union and team owners. The 2004-05 season was completely missed due to these conflicts. Nevertheless, hockey remains one of the most popular types sports in the USA and Canada, and the NHL is one of the most popular sports leagues.

Pittsburgh Penguins And Toronto Maple Leafs

Wayne Gretzky is one of the most famous players NHL of all time

The modern NHL includes thirty teams, divided into two conferences: Eastern ( Eastern Conference) and Western ( Western Conference). In turn, the conferences are divided into two divisions each: Atlantic ( Atlantic) and Stolichny ( Metropolitan) in the Eastern (eight teams each), Pacific ( Pacific) and Central ( Central) in Western (seven teams).

The annual National Hockey League championship consists of two parts: the regular season ( regular season) and a series of knockout games ( playoffs, playoffs). "Regular" NHL begins in October and lasts until April, during these six months each team participates in eighty-two matches.

Around the middle of the season, the NHL All-Star Game is held ( National Hockey League All-Star Game), which features the best players in North American hockey. Once every four years, instead of the All-Star Game, the league championship takes a break, giving hockey players the opportunity to take part in the Winter Olympics.

At the end of the regular season, the sixteen strongest teams continue to fight for championship title. The top three (with the most points) teams from each division “automatically” qualify for the playoffs. In addition, two more teams in each conference from among those who did not take “prize” places in the divisions, but showed the best results (the so-called “wild cards”, qualify for the final part of the competition wild card). In a series of games, first the conference champions and then the strongest team in the National Hockey League are determined.

The winners receive the main trophy NHL- Stanley Cup ( Stanley Cup). This award, the oldest in North American professional sports, was established back in 1892 by the Governor General of Canada, Lord Stanley Preston, and has since been the most prestigious prize for any hockey player.

In addition to the Stanley Cup, several more honorary trophies are awarded to NHL teams every year, including the Prince of Wales Trophy ( Prince of Wales Trophy, awarded to the winning team in the Eastern Conference), the Clarence Campbell Cup ( Clarence S. Campbell Bowl, awarded to the champion team Western Conference), "Presidential Prize" ( Presidents" Trophy, awarded to the team that scores the most points during the regular season).

At the end of the season, the best players (as well as coaches and managers) in the league receive awards. Among the most honorable ones is the Hart Prize ( Hart Memorial Trophy), which is awarded to the most useful (that is, the one who made the greatest contribution to the game of his team) player in the league; "Art Ross Prize" ( Art Ross Trophy) - award for the best striker; "James Norris Prize" ( James Norris Memorial Trophy) - best defenseman, "Vezina Trophy" ( Vezina Trophy) - the best goalkeeper; "Calder Prize" ( Calder Memorial Trophy) - best newcomer; "Ted Lindsay Award" ( Ted Lindsay Award) - best player according to the players themselves and others.

Hockey players Boston Bruins with the Stanley Cup

Compound NHL(National Hockey League)

Division	Team	Year creation teams	Year attached dinyeniya to the league	Home stadium, city (closest major city), state (province), country
	Eastern Conference ( Eastern Conference)
Atlantic (Atlantic)	Boston Bruins (Boston Bruins)	1924		TD Garden, Boston , Massachusetts, USA
	Buffalo Sabers (Buffalo Sabres)	1970		First Niagara Center, Buffalo, NY, USA
	Detroit Red Wings (Detroit Red Wings)	1926		Joe Louis Arena, Detroit, Michigan, USA
	Florida Panthers (Florida Panthers)	1993		BB&T Center, Sunrise (Miami), Florida, USA
	Montreal Canadiens (Montreal Canadiens)	1909	1917	Bell Center, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
	Ottawa Senators (Ottawa Senators)	1992		Canadian Tire Center, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
	Tampa Bay Lightning (Tampa Bay Lightning)	1992		Tampa Bay Times Forum, Tampa, Florida, USA
	Toronto Maple Leafs (Toronto Maple Leafs)	1917		Air Canada Center, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Metropolitan (Metropolitan)	Carolina Hurricanes (Carolina Hurricanes)	1972	1979	PNC Arena, Roles, North Carolina, USA
	Columbus Blue Jackets (Columbus Blue Jackets)	2000		Nationwide Arena, Columbus, Ohio, USA
	New Jersey Devils (New Jersey Devils)	1974		Prudential Center, Newark, New Jersey, USA
	New York Islanders (New York Islanders)	1972		Nassau Coliseum, Uniondale ( New York city), NY, USA
	New York Rangers (New York Rangers)	1926		Madison Square Garden, New York city , NY, USA
	Philadelphia Flyers (Philadelphia Flyers)	1967		Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia , Pennsylvania, USA
	Pittsburgh Penguins (Pittsburgh Penguins)	1967		Consol Energy Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
	Washington Capitals (Washington Capitals)	1974		Verizon Center, Washington, DC, USA
	Western Conference ( Western Conference)
Pacific (Pacific)	Anaheim Ducks (Anaheim Ducks)	1993		Honda Center, Anaheim, California, USA
	Calgary Flames (Calgary Flames)	1972		Scotiabank Saddledome, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
	Edmonton Oilers (Edmonton Oilers)	1972	1979	Rexall Place, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
	Los Angeles Kings (Los Angeles Kings)	1967		Staples Center, Los Angeles , California, USA
	Phoenix Coyotes (Phoenix Coyotes)	1972	1979	Jobing.com Arena, Glendale (Phoenix),

National Hockey League(NHL) is one of the oldest professional sports leagues in the world. It has a rich history and traditions. Initially, only Canadian clubs played in the NHL, but later the organization united teams from Canada and the United States of America. How did clubs from the USA appear in the NHL? Which American team was the first to be accepted into the NHL? What year did this happen? Which NHL team was the first to have a mascot, and which never had a mascot? How did one song influence the choice of name for the team? Why was the club named after the lumberjack? Why was the Sharks preferred to the Blades? And why didn't "The Savages" eventually become "The Freezers"? In this article we will talk about the history of the names and nicknames of the NHL Western Conference teams, as well as talk about the emblems and mascots (mascots) of the clubs.

(Anaheim Ducks) - nicknames: “Ducks”, “Ducks”, “Quacks”, “Mighty Ducks”, “Ducks from Anaheim”.

When the new NHL team was founded by the Walt Disney Company in 1993, there was no question of a name. “Mighty Ducks of Anaheim”, which translates as “Mighty Ducks from Anaheim” - this is exactly what the club was called. The Californian team received this name for a reason. The fact is that in 1992, that is, exactly a year before the founding of the team, the Walt Disney studio released a film about a children's hockey team from Minnesota, which was called - "The Mighty Ducks". The company made very good money from this film, and decided that calling the team "The Mighty Ducks" would be easier to promote the brand (and make money from it), as well as gain a whole army of fans from the very first day of the team's existence. In 2006, the club was sold, the logo was changed, and the word “mighty” was removed from the name. To this day, the team from the Californian city of Anaheim is called the Anaheim Ducks. The nickname "Ducks" is a translation of the word "Ducks", and "Ducks" and "Kryaki" are derivatives and are used by Russian-speaking fans. The Anaheim Ducks mascot, Wild Wing, is an anthropomorphic duck.

(Arizona Coyotes) - nicknames: “Coyotes”, “Dogs”, “Coyotes from Arizona”.

The Arizona Coyotes were known as the Winnipeg Jets until 1996 and were based in Winnipeg, Canada. In fact, the current “Arizona” and “Winnipeg” have nothing in common. The fact is that the current Winnipeg Jets are the former Atlanta Thrashers club, which was based in Atlanta, USA. In 1996, the Winnipeg team was renamed the Phoenix Coyotes and moved to Glendale, Arizona, USA. In 2009, the club was declared bankrupt and became the property of the National Hockey League. At the same time, rumors appeared that the team could again change their place of registration, however, the move did not happen. In 2013, the NHL sold the then-Phoenix team to new owners. The club's new bosses said the team will still play in Glendale, but the name will be changed to the Arizona Coyotes before the 2014/2015 season. Why exactly "Coyotes" you ask? Everything is very simple! The nickname was chosen by the fans. Just over 10,000 people voted for the Coyotes, with the Scorpions name coming in second. Sometimes Russian-speaking fans call the team "Dogs". Coyote is derived from coyotl, which means "divine dog" in Aztec. The Arizona Coyotes' mascot is Howler the Coyote, a howling coyote.

(Calgary Flames) - nicknames: “Lights”, “Tongues of Flames”, “Sparks”, “Flames”, “Lights of Calgary”.

In 1972, the Atlanta Flames club was born - this is the name of the team that is now called the Calgary Flames. Until 1980, the Atlanta Flames were based in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. In 1980, the Flames were sold to a new owner and moved to Calgary, Canada. Translated from English, "Flames" means "flame", "fire". The Flames' name reflects the horrific events of the American Civil War and its aftermath, namely the burning of the city of Atlanta to the ground. After moving to Calgary, the Flames decided not to change the name of the club. Interesting fact is that Atlanta is the only city that has lost two NHL franchises at once (Altanta Flames and Atlanta Thrashers). All the nicknames of the team are only related to its name: “Lights”, “Ogonki”, “Flame”, “Tongues of Flame”. The Calgary Flames' mascot is Harvey the Hound. She was introduced in 1983 and became the first-ever mascot in the NHL.

(Chicago Blackhawks) - nicknames: “Hawks”, “Black Hawks”, “Indians”, “Inchu-Chuns”, “Chicago Black Hawks”.

Multimillionaire Frederick McLaughlin purchased the Portland Rosebuds from brothers Frank and Lester Patrick, the organizers of the Western Hockey League, for $200,000 in the mid-1920s. The team was moved to Chicago, Illinois and became the Chicago Black Hawks. And this is not a mistake; indeed, previously the name of the team was written separately, and only since 1986 the combined spelling began to be used - “Chicago Blackhawks”. McLaughlin is a former Army major. During World War I, he served in a division named after the leader of the Sauk Indian tribe, Black Hawk. Therefore, McLaughlin did not have to think long about the name of his team. Sometimes "Chicago" is called "Eagles", but this is wrong. The mascot of the Chicago Blackhawks is Tommy Hawk. He hates being called an eagle. The Chicago Blackhawks are one of the oldest franchises in the NHL.

(Colorado Avalanche) - nicknames: "Avalanche", "Colorado Avalanche".

The history of the current Colorado Avalanche began in 1972 in Quebec, Canada, where the Quebec Nordiques club was born. Nordiques existed until 1995. On July 1, 1995, the team moved to Denver and changed its name to the Colorado Avalanche. The interesting thing is that in the same year, immediately after the move, the Avalanche won their first Stanley Cup. The club could have been named differently. Among the options, for example, was the name "Extreme", but it received a lot negative reviews, and Avalanche was chosen as the name. The following names were also considered: "Beers" (Bears), "Cougars" (Cougars), "Renegates" (Renegades), "Outlaws" (Outlaws). "Avalanche" means "avalanche" in English. Colorado Avalanche mascot - Bernie the St. Bernard. He replaced Howler the Yeti, the first mascot of the Colorado Avalanche.

(Dallas Stars) - nicknames: “Stars”, “Dallas Stars”.

The birth of the team dates back to 1967. It was this year that the leadership of the National Hockey League decided to expand to twelve teams. The current Dallas Stars were called the Minnesota North Stars until 1993 and were based in Bloomington, Minnesota. "North Stars" translates to "North Star", and the name for the club was chosen by fans who used the Minnesota state motto - "L'Etoile du Nord", which means "North Star" in French. In 1990, the Minnesota North Stars were sold. New owner Norman Green moved the team to Dallas, Texas in 1993 and changed the club's name to the Dallas Stars. The nickname "Stars" is a translation of the word "Stars". The Dallas Stars mascot, Victor E. Green, is an abstract green creature with horns shaped like hockey stick hooks.

(Edmonton Oilers) - nicknames: “Oil”, “Oilers”, “Oil”, “Oils”, “Oilers from Edmonton”.

From birth, the current Edmonton Oilers were called the Alberta Oilers. The club received the name of a province in Canada, as it was planned that the Oilers would hold home games in Edmonton and Calgary, which, in fact, was never destined to happen. Bill Hunter, the owner of the Edmonton Oil Kings junior team, received repeated refusals from the leadership of the National Hockey League in his request to join the NHL new club from the Canadian city of Edmonton. Ultimately, having received another turnaround from the NHL, Hunter managed to register the team in the WHA. A year later, the club was renamed the Edmonton Oilers. In 1978, the legendary Wayne Gretzky came to Edmonton, and a year later (1979) the team managed to get into the NHL. Translated from English, "Oil" means "oil", "petroleum". The name “Oilers” is quite logical, because Edmonton was then the oil capital of Canada, which, in fact, remains to this day. The Edmonton Oilers are one of only three NHL teams that does not have a mascot.

(Los Angeles Kings) - nicknames: “Kings”, “Kings”, “Team from the City of Angels”, “L.A. Kings” (LA), “Kings from Los Angeles”.

The Los Angeles Kings are one of the few NHL clubs that have not changed their name since the very beginning of their existence. The Kings were admitted to the NHL in 1967, and are a "Second Six" team, one of six teams that appeared in the National Hockey League after its expansion from six to twelve teams. The name "Kings", meaning "Kings" in English, was suggested by the fans. The owner of the club, Jack Kent Cook, did not hesitate for a second; he really liked the idea of creating the “Royal Team” in Los Angeles. Besides, giving a club such a name is great way pay tribute to the Los Angeles Monarchs, a team that played in the 1930s Pacific Hockey League (PCHL). Jack Kent Cooke also owned the Lakers basketball team, and their colors were gold and purple. Cook decided that the Kings' colors would also be gold and purple, because they symbolize royal grandeur and power. When Bruce McNall became part owner of the Kings in 1980, he insisted on changing the color scheme to black and silver. But the name of the club remained untouched. Los Angeles Kings mascot Kingston is an anthropomorphic snow leopard.

(Minnesota Wild) - nicknames: “Savages”, “Wilds”, “Savages from Minnesota”.

Minnesota State lost the North Stars in 1993 when they moved to Dallas. But it was replaced in 2000 by the Minnesota Wild, and the staff of the Northwestern Center again received an NHL team. The home of the “Savages”, and this is how “Wild” is translated, became the city of St. Paul - the capital of the state of Minnesota. The Wild are the only team from professional leagues USA, which is based in St. Paul. Variants of club names include "Blue Ox", "Wild", "Freeze", "Voyageurs", "Northern Lights" and "White Bears". Polar bears), the “Savages” option was chosen. The name "Wild" symbolizes the harsh climate of Minnesota. The club's name was presented to the public in 1998, that is, two years before the team's debut in the NHL. The Minnesota Wild's mascot is Nordy, a mix between a bear and a fox with a green "M" on its head.

(Nashville Predators) - nicknames: “Predators”, “Smilodon”, “Sabertooth Tigers”, “Predators from Nashville”.

"Predators" is translated as "Predators". The team appeared in the NHL in 1998 and never changed its name. The name for the club was chosen by fan vote. In addition to the "Predators", which were proposed by the club owner Craig Leipold himself, there were also the options "Ice Tigers", "Fury" and "Attack". The name of the club is a reference to 1970, when the remains of a saber-toothed tiger (Smilodon) were found in a suburb of Nashville. By the way, it was originally planned that Nashville would receive an NBA franchise, but this was not possible, so the city received an NHL franchise. The Nashville Predators mascot is Gnash. Gnash is an anthropomorphic saber-toothed tiger.

(San Jose Sharks) - nicknames: “Sharks”, “Fish”, “Toothy”, “Sharks from San Jose”.

Brothers George and Gordon Gund, having sold the Minnesota North Stars in 1990, acquired the rights to a new club in the San Francisco Bay area. The club's management announced a competition to name the team. More than two thousand nicknames were submitted to the vote, in which more than five thousand people took part. In fact, "Sharks" could become "Blades" - this is the name that more people voted for. However, the Gund brothers decided to give the club the name "Sharks", which was the second most popular name. The name "Blades", according to the management, was associated with war, cruelty and violence. Names such as "Rubber Puckies", "Screaming Squids", "Salty Dogs" were also considered. It is interesting that the name “Shark” did not bother the brothers, although a shark is a predator, with powerful and razor-sharp teeth, a deadly and merciless creature. Matt Levin, vice president of marketing, said of the team name: "Sharks are very smart, fast, agile, determined and fearless creatures. We want our club to have all of these qualities." Among other things, the San Jose area is home to many various types sharks, so this name was perfect for the club. The San Jose Sharks mascot, S.J. Sharkie, is an anthropomorphic shark.

(St. Louis Blues) - nicknames: “Musicians”, “Bluesmen”, “Notes”, “Bluesmen of St. Louis”.

St. Louis entered the National Hockey League in 1967 and became a Second Six team. The options “Mercury” (Mercury) and “Apollo” (Apollo) were also considered as the name of the club, but they decided to settle on “Blues”. The team's name is the title of a William K. Handy song called "St. Louis Blues." Naturally, all the team's nicknames are related to the name. Many people call the St. Louis Blues simply “The Notes,” because the club’s logo depicts a note. The St. Louis Blues mascot is Louie, a blue polar bear (since 2007). Louis loves hot dogs and plays the saxophone.

History of names and nicknames of NHL clubs

Anaheim Ducks

Anaheim Ducks - nicknames: “Ducks”, “Ducks”, “Quacks”, “Mighty Ducks”, “Ducks from Anaheim”, According to rivals “Ugly Ducklings” until 2007.

When the new NHL team was founded by the Walt Disney Company in 1993, there was no question of a name. “Mighty Ducks of Anaheim”, which translates as “Mighty Ducks from Anaheim” - this is exactly what the club was called. The Californian team received this name for a reason. The fact is that in 1992, that is, exactly a year before the founding of the team, Walt Disney Studios released a film about a children's hockey team from Minnesota, which was called “The Mighty Ducks.” The company made very good money from this film, and decided that calling the team "The Mighty Ducks" would be easier to promote the brand (and make money from it), as well as gain a whole army of fans from the very first day of the team's existence. In 2006, the club was sold, the logo was changed, and the word “mighty” was removed from the name. To this day, the team from the Californian city of Anaheim is called the Anaheim Ducks. The nickname "Ducks" is a translation of the word "Ducks", and "Ducks" and "Kryaki" are derivatives and are used by Russian-speaking fans. The Anaheim Ducks mascot, Wild Wing, is an anthropomorphic duck.

Arizona Coyotes

"Arizona Coyotes" - nicknames: "Coyotes", "Dogs", "Arizona Coyotes".

Calgary Flames

"Calgary Flames" - nicknames: "Lights", "Tongues of Flames", "Sparks", "Flames", "Lights of Calgary".

In 1972, the Atlanta Flames club was born - this is the name of the team that is now called the Calgary Flames. Until 1980, the Atlanta Flames were based in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. In 1980, the Flames were sold to a new owner and moved to Calgary, Canada. Translated from English, "Flames" means "flame", "fire". The Flames' name reflects the horrific events of the American Civil War and its aftermath, namely the burning of the city of Atlanta to the ground. After moving to Calgary, the Flames decided not to change the name of the club. An interesting fact is that Atlanta is the only city that has lost two NHL franchises (Altanta Flames and Atlanta Thrashers). All the nicknames of the team are only related to its name: “Lights”, “Ogonki”, “Flame”, “Tongues of Flame”. The Calgary Flames' mascot is Harvey the Hound. She was introduced in 1983 and became the first-ever mascot in the NHL.

Chicago Blackhawks

Chicago Blackhawks - nicknames: "Hawks", "Black Hawks", "Indians", "Inchu-Chuns", "Chicago Black Hawks", according to rivals "Chicks".

Multimillionaire Frederick McLaughlin purchased the Portland Rosebuds from brothers Frank and Lester Patrick, the organizers of the Western Hockey League, for $200,000 in the mid-1920s. The team was moved to Chicago, Illinois and became the Chicago Black Hawks. And this is not a mistake; indeed, previously the name of the team was written separately, and only since 1986 the combined spelling began to be used - “Chicago Blackhawks”. McLaughlin is a former Army major. During World War I, he served in a division named after the leader of the Sauk Indian tribe, Black Hawk. Therefore, McLaughlin did not have to think long about the name of his team. Sometimes "Chicago" is called "Eagles", but this is wrong. The mascot of the Chicago Blackhawks is Tommy Hawk; legendary Indian warrior. He hates being called an eagle. The Chicago Blackhawks are one of the oldest franchises in the NHL.

Colorado Avalanche

“Colorado Avalanche” - nicknames: “Avalanches”, “Avalanches from Colorado”, according to rivals “Beetles”, “Kalas”.

The history of the current Colorado Avalanche began in 1972 in Quebec, Canada, where the Quebec Nordiques club was born. Nordiques existed until 1995. On July 1, 1995, the team moved to Denver and changed its name to the Colorado Avalanche. The interesting thing is that in the same year, immediately after the move, the Avalanche won their first Stanley Cup. The club could have been named differently. Among the options, for example, was the name “Extreme”, but it received a lot of negative reviews, and “Avalanche” was chosen as the name. The following names were also considered: "Beers" (Bears), "Cougars" (Cougars), "Renegates" (Renegades), "Outlaws" (Outlaws). "Avalanche" means "avalanche" in English. Colorado Avalanche mascot - Bernie the St. Bernard. He replaced Howler the Yeti, the first mascot of the Colorado Avalanche.

Dallas Stars

"Dallas Stars" - nicknames: "Stars", "Dallas Stars".

Edmonton Oilers

"Edmonton Oilers" - nicknames: "Oil", "Oilers", "Oilers", "Oils", "Oilers from Edmonton".

From birth, the current Edmonton Oilers were called the Alberta Oilers. The club received the name of a province in Canada, as it was planned that the Oilers would hold home games in Edmonton and Calgary, which, in fact, was never destined to happen. Bill Hunter, owner of the Edmonton Oil Kings junior team, received repeated refusals from the leadership of the National Hockey League in his request to accept a new club from the Canadian city of Edmonton into the NHL. Ultimately, having received another turnaround from the NHL, Hunter managed to register the team in the WHA. A year later, the club was renamed the Edmonton Oilers. In 1978, the legendary Wayne Gretzky came to Edmonton, and a year later (1979) the team managed to get into the NHL. The name “Oilers” is quite logical, because Edmonton was then the oil capital of Canada, which, in fact, remains to this day. The Edmonton Oilers are one of only three NHL teams that does not have a mascot.

Los Angeles Kings

"Los Angeles Kings" - nicknames: "Kings", "Kings", "Team from the City of Angels", "L.A. Kings" (LA), "Kings from Los Angeles", according to their rivals " Moose."

The Los Angeles Kings are one of the few NHL clubs that have not changed their name since the very beginning of their existence. The Kings were admitted to the NHL in 1967, and are a "Second Six" team, one of six teams that appeared in the National Hockey League after its expansion from six to twelve teams. The name "Kings", meaning "Kings" in English, was suggested by the fans. The owner of the club, Jack Kent Cook, did not hesitate for a second; he really liked the idea of creating the “Royal Team” in Los Angeles. Plus, naming the club like this is a great way to pay tribute to the Los Angeles Monarchs, a team that played in the 1930s Pacific Hockey League (PCHL). Jack Kent Cooke also owned the Lakers basketball team, and their colors were gold and purple. Cook decided that the Kings' colors would also be gold and purple, because they symbolize royal grandeur and power. When Bruce McNall became part owner of the Kings in 1980, he insisted on changing the color scheme to black and silver. But the name of the club remained untouched. Los Angeles Kings mascot Kingston is an anthropomorphic snow leopard.

Minnesota Wild

"Minnesota Wild" - nicknames: "Savages", "Wilds", "Savages from Minnesota".

Minnesota State lost the North Stars in 1993 when they moved to Dallas. But it was replaced in 2000 by the Minnesota Wild, and the staff of the Northwestern Center again received an NHL team. The home of the “Savages”, and this is how “Wild” is translated, became the city of St. Paul - the capital of the state of Minnesota. The Wild are the only US professional league team based in St. Paul. Variants of club names include "Blue Ox", "Wild", "Freeze", "Voyageurs", "Northern Lights" and "White Bears". Polar bears), the “Savages” option was chosen. The name "Wild" symbolizes the harsh climate of Minnesota. The club's name was presented to the public in 1998, that is, two years before the team's debut in the NHL. The Minnesota Wild's mascot is Nordy, a mix between a bear and a fox with a green "M" on its head.

Nashville Predators

"Nashville Predators" - nicknames: "Predators", "Smilodon", "Sabertooth Tigers", "Nashville Predators", "Smashville".

San Jose Sharks

“San Jose Sharks” (San Jose Sharks) - nicknames: “Sharks”, “Fishes”, “Toothy”, “Sharks from San Jose”, according to rivals “Perches”, “Sprats”.

Brothers George and Gordon Gund, having sold the Minnesota North Stars in 1990, acquired the rights to a new club in the San Francisco Bay area. The club's management announced a competition to name the team. More than two thousand nicknames were submitted to the vote, in which more than five thousand people took part. In fact, "Sharks" could become "Blades" - this is the name that more people voted for. However, the Gund brothers decided to give the club the name "Sharks", which was the second most popular name. The name "Blades", according to the management, was associated with war, cruelty and violence. Names such as "Rubber Puckies", "Screaming Squids", "Salty Dogs" were also considered. It is interesting that the name “Shark” did not bother the brothers, although a shark is a predator, with powerful and razor-sharp teeth, a deadly and merciless creature. Matt Levin, vice president of marketing, said of the team name: "Sharks are very smart, fast, agile, determined and fearless creatures. We want our club to have all of these qualities." On top of that, the San Jose area is home to many different species of sharks, so the name was a perfect fit for the club. The San Jose Sharks mascot, S.J. Sharkie, is an anthropomorphic shark.

St. Louis Blues

"St. Louis Blues" - nicknames: "Musicians", "Bluesmen", "Notes", "Bluesmen of St. Louis".

Vancouver Canucks

“Vancouver Canucks” - nicknames: “Killer whales”, “Canadians”, “Canucks”, “Vanks”, “Canucks from Vancouver”.

The Vancouver Canucks are another team that has not changed its name throughout the club's existence. The Canucks appeared in 1970. Many people think that "Canucks" is translated as "Killer Whales", but this is not true, and not a single reference book gives such a translation. The word "Canuck" translated from English means "Canadian" - a resident of Canada. However, in this case, the word "Canucks" is associated with the comic book hero lumberjack Johnny Canuck. This character is a real symbol and national hero of Canada, and is still popular today. During World War II, comics were published in Canada about Johnny Canuck confronting Adolf Hitler. The Vancouver Canucks' mascot is Fin the Whale, an anthropomorphic killer whale. The killer whale is also depicted on the team’s emblem.

Winnipeg Jets

“Winnipeg Jets” (Winnipeg Jets) - nicknames: “Fighters”, “Planes”, “Jets”, “Fighters from Winnipeg”. According to their rivals, “Winnie the Poohs”.

As stated earlier, the Jets are in no way related to the Winnipeg team that existed in Canada from 1972 to 1996. The current Winnipeg Jets are former team The Atlanta Thrashers, which ceased to exist in 2011, moved from Atlanta, Georgia to the Canadian city of Winnipeg. The name was invented by the then owner of the team, Ben Hutskin, who admired the play of the New York Jets, a football club from the National Football League. In addition, Khatskin was also the owner of the Jets, who played in the junior hockey league, who later became the Monarchs. The English word "Jets" is translated as "Jet aircraft". The name itself and the fighter on the Winnipeg emblem are a tribute to the Royal Canadian Air Force, whose largest base was located in Winnipeg. The military took an active part in the sporting life of the city. The Winnipeg Jets mascot is Mick E. Moose.

Buffalo Sabers

"Buffalo Sabres" - nicknames: "Sabres", "Bulls", "Bisons", "Buffaloes".

The Buffalo Sabers club appeared in 1970, when the NHL decided to expand the league. The Knox brothers, the founders of the club, decided to hold a competition to name the team. Many have been proposed good versions. Among the names for the club, in addition to “Sabre”, there were also “Bison” and “Bulls”. However, the brothers thought that such names were too simple and uncreative for a team from Buffalo, and besides, “Buffalo” can already be translated as “buffalo” or “buffalo”. The choice fell on the “Sabres” option, which means “Sabres” in English. According to the founders, the saber is very good weapon, a weapon of victors that can be used effectively for both defense and attack. However, the nicknames “Bulls”, “Bisons” and “Buffaloes” have become attached to the team and are actively used, because the club’s emblem, in addition to two sabers, also depicts a bison. The Buffalo Sabers' mascot is Sabretooth, an anthropomorphic saber-toothed tiger.

Boston Bruins

"Boston Bruins" - nicknames: "Bears", "Bears", "Clubfoot", "Boston Bears".

Charles Adams, owner of a chain store in Boston, became a hockey fan after watching the Stanley Cup in 1924. He passionately wanted to create his own team that would perform in Boston. Adams managed to convince the NHL management to expand the league and accept a team from the USA. On November 1, 1924, Boston received permission to play in the National Hockey League, becoming the first American team in history to be admitted to the NHL. Adams chose brown and yellow colors for the club, which matched the colors of his chain of stores. Art Ross was invited to replace the club's general manager, after whom the Art Ross Trophy is now named. Charles Adams decided to hold a competition for the name of the club, and one of the fans of the newly formed team suggested the name “Bears”. Adams liked the way he was thinking, but the club owner decided to name the team "Bruins" (Bruins). Bruins is the name of a bear in English fairy tales, folklore, and is translated as “Bear”, comparable to our “Michal Potapych”, “clubfooted”.

Carolina Hurricanes

"Carolina Hurricanes" - nicknames: "Hurricanes", "Carolina Hurricanes".

The Carolina Hurricanes were founded in 1972. Initially, the team was called the New England Whalers and played in the VHL. Before the 1979/1980 season, the club was accepted into the NHL. The current Hurricanes played in the National Hockey League as the Hartford Whalers for 18 seasons. In 1994, the team was bought by Peter Karmanos. The club was named the Carolina Hurricanes at the end of the 1996/1997 season, after it was moved from Connecticut to Raleigh, North Carolina, USA. Translated, “Hurricanes” means “Hurricane,” which is why the team’s nickname, “Hurricanes,” is quite logical. It is interesting that the new owner did not announce any competitions for the name of the club, as many of his colleagues did. Karmanos chose the name “Hurricanes” on his own, citing the fact that hurricanes are a common occurrence in North Carolina, so this name would be ideal for the club. Meanwhile, due to large number hog farms in the state, he also considered the Carolina Ice Hogs, so the current Hurricanes could easily become the Ice Hogs. True, the “pig trail” still affected the team, because the mascot of the Carolina Hurricanes is Stormy, an anthropomorphic ice hog.

Columbus Blue Jackets

“Columbus Blue Jackets” - nicknames: “Bluecoats”, “Blue Jackets”, “Blue Jackets”, “Mods”, “Hipsters”, “Bluecoats from Columbus”. According to their opponents, “Blazers”.

In 1997, the NHL management decided to expand the league. Then a team was accepted into the National Hockey League, whose home would be the city of Columbus, Ohio, USA. In 2000, the Columbus Blue Jackets played their debut season in the NHL. The team name contest saw more than 14,000 fans support the Blue Jackets. Many people mistakenly believe that English word"Jackets" in the club's name translates as "jackets" or "jackets". In fact, "Jackets" means "uniforms", so the team name sounds like "Bluecoats". This is the correct translation of the name of the Columbus Blue Jackets club. The nickname "Bluecoats" is rooted in American history and has nothing to do with fashion and style, so the nicknames "Mods" and "Hipsters" are also erroneous, but the team is still sometimes called that way. Blue uniforms were worn by officers of the federal troops of the North during the American Civil War. Having figured out the history of the club’s name, everything fell into place, and now it’s clear where the “Blue Coats” came from. By the way, the famous cannon at Columbus home matches, which fires a salvo with every Blue Jackets goal, is from the same opera. The mascot of the Columbus Blue Jackets is Stinger, a predatory bright green bee with red eyes.

“Detroit Red Wings” - nicknames: “Red Wings”, “Wings”, “Reds”, “Team from the Motor City”, “Red Wings of Detroit”. Version of the rivals “Redwings”.

In 1926, the NHL welcomed the Detroit Cougars (Cougars) to its roster. This is the name that, until 1930, had the “Detroit” that we know now. Afterwards, the team's name was changed to "Detroit Falcons" (Falcons) and it was called that until 1932. In 1932, the club was acquired by millionaire James Norris, who changed the name to the now familiar Red Wings. Many people ask the question: “why are wings and a wheel depicted on the Detroit emblem?” Here's why: Norris was once a member of the Association of Amateur Athletes of Montreal and played for the Montreal Wings Wills team. The Wings Wills are the first team in history to win the Stanley Cup. By naming the team the Red Wings, Norris paid tribute to the team that won the first Stanley Cup. The team's emblem featured a wheel and wings, which, by the way, migrated to the Detroit Red Wings logo. Norris believed that a logo with wings and a wheel would be ideal for a team from the city of Detroit, which was already beginning to become the center of the US automobile industry. Detroit Red Wings mascot Al the Octopus. Al is the NHL's only non-costumed mascot.

Florida Panthers

"Florida Panthers" - nicknames: "Panthers", "Cats", "Cats", "Florida Panthers".

In 1992, Miami received consent from the National Hockey League to create a team and subsequently accept it into the NHL. The club from Sunrise, Florida was named the Florida Panthers. The team is called "Cats" and affectionately "Cats". However, Florida's official nickname is the Panthers. Team owner Wayne Huizeng chose this name because the panther is a very fast and agile animal. He wanted to reflect in the name the style of play that the team would adhere to, that is, fast and aggressive. In addition, the name of the club was given in honor of the Florida panther, a species of which is on the verge of extinction. Now there are approximately 150 individuals left. The Florida panther is protected by the state. She lives in the famous Florida national park called the Everglades. The Florida Panthers mascot is Stanley C. Panther.

Montreal Canadiens

"Montreal Canadiens" - nicknames: "Canadians", "Habs", "Habs", "Francophones", "Canadians from Montreal".

"Les Canadiens de Montreal" (French) - were born in 1909 in the province of Quebec, the city of Montreal, that is, eight years before the emergence of the National Hockey League itself. The Montreal Canadiens are the oldest and most decorated NHL club. The Canadiens have reached the Stanley Cup final 34 times. The team has 24 trophies won and 10 defeats in the finals. The Toronto Maple Leafs are closest to Montreal in terms of Stanley Cup victories, but the other Canadian team has almost half as many trophies - 13, and 21 finals. "Canadiens" means "Canadians" in French. An interesting fact is connected with the nickname "Habs". The word "Habs" is derived from the French "Le Habitants", which translates as "the inhabitants". This is what the English-speaking population of Canada called Francophones. Now pay attention to the team logo. The Montreal Canadiens emblem features the Latin letter “C,” which naturally stands for “Canadiens,” as well as the Latin letter “H,” which stands for the word “Hockey” (Club de Hockey Canadien). In 1924, Tex Rickard, owner of the New York Rangers, during an interview, due to his ignorance, made a grave mistake when he said that the letter “H” on the Montreal logo stood for “Habitants”. This was completely wrong. And so, because of a mistake by a sports figure, the nickname “Habs” or “Habs” was attached to the Canadiens. The nickname "Francophones" is directly related to the city of Montreal. The fact is that the province of Quebec is more than 80% populated by French-speaking Canadians, and Montreal is generally the largest French-speaking city outside of France. The only official language in the province of Quebec is French. The Montreal Canadiens mascot is Yuppie! (Youppi!). Yuppie! (Hurray!) - the only mascot in the NHL to change sports. He used to be the mascot of the Montreal Expos baseball team.

New Jersey Devils

New Jersey Devils - nicknames: "Devils", "Demons", "Mickey Mouse", "Devils from New Jersey". Version of rivals "Devils".

The New Jersey Devils team was founded in 1974. At first the club was called the Kansas City Scouts and was based in Kansas City, Missouri, USA. In 1976, the club moved to Denver, Colorado and changed its name to the Colorado Rockies. Six years later, in 1982, the club was purchased by John J. McMullen, who moved the team to Newark, New Jersey. A competition was announced for a name for the club, and in addition to “Devils”, which translated means “Devils”, there were also options: “Coastals”, “Meadowlarks” (Meadowlarks), “Blades” (Blades), “ Jaguars" (Jaguars). Ultimately, the choice fell on the Devils. The nickname "Devils" comes from the legend of the Jersey Devil. According to legend, this creature roamed the forests of New Jersey many years ago. Another interesting nickname for the New Jersey Devils is “Mickey Mouse.” This is a very derogatory nickname for the Devils. Although it is not attached to the team, sometimes, fans who are annoyed by the defeat of their favorites, in their hearts, can call them “Mickey Mouse”. The nickname dates back to 1983, when legendary Oilers forward Wayne Gretzky called the New Jersey Devils "the Mickey Mouse organization" after a 13-4 loss to the Edmonton Oilers. The New Jersey Devils' mascot is N.J. Devil.

New York Islanders

"New York Islanders" - nicknames: "Islanders", "Islands", "Isles", "Long Island Islanders".

In 1970, the leadership of the National Hockey League approved the proposal of Roy Boe, owner of the New Jersey Nets basketball team, to create and include new team from Long Island to the NHL. In 1972, a team called the New York Islanders was born, and on October 7 of the same year, the Islanders played their first NHL game, losing on their ice to the Atlanta Flames with a score of 2:3. Initially, they wanted to call the team “Long Island Ducks”, but it was decided to settle on the name “Islanders”. The nickname "Islanders" is a translation of the word "Islanders". The name and nickname itself are quite logical, because Long Island, where the team is based, is an island. The New York Islanders mascot is Sparky the Dragon.

New York Rangers

"New York Rangers" - nicknames: "Rangers", "Cops", "Cops", "NYR", "New York Rangers".

The New York Rangers are one of the oldest teams The NHL is one of the so-called “Original Six”. In addition, Rangers are the first American team, which won the Stanley Cup. The club was founded in 1926 and has not changed its name throughout its history. The founder of the new club from New York was the owner of Madison Square Garden, George Lewis Rickard, who was called “Tex”. The team name comes from the name law enforcement agency in the state of Texas - the Texas Rangers. By the way, for some reason the media called the team that way, but then they began to call it simply “Rangers”. The nickname “Rangers” is quite logical, in fact, like the nicknames “Cops” and “Cops”. The New York Rangers do not have a mascot.

Ottawa Senators

"Ottawa Senators" - nicknames: "Senators", "Sens", "Ottawa Senators".

The Ottawa Senators club was founded in 1990. Only two years later, Ottawa owner Bruce Firestone managed to convince the NHL management to accept a new franchise from the capital of Canada into the league. In 1992, the team played its first match in the National Hockey League, and since then has been an integral part of this organization. In fact, big hockey appeared in Ottawa back in 1883, when the amateur club Ottawa HC was founded in the province of Ontario. In 1890, the team was renamed the Ottawa Generals. From 1903 to 1907 it was called "Silver Seven". And only in 1908 the club received the familiar name “Senators”. Between 1917 and 1934, the team won 11 Stanley Cups. In 1934, the Senators were struggling better times and had serious financial problems, which is why the team had to move to St. Louis, Missouri, USA. The team changed its name to the St. Louis Eagles. After just a year, the club “went down into history.” However, as already written above, Bruce Firestone in 1990 managed to “resurrect” the old Senators. The nickname "Senators" is a reference to the fact that the team is based in the capital of Canada, and the Canadian Senate sits in Ottawa. The Ottawa Senators mascot is Spartacat, an anthropomorphic red-haired lion.

Philadelphia Flyers

“Philadelphia Flyers” - nicknames: “Pilots”, “Flyers”, “Phila”, “Philadelphia Flyers”. Version of rivals “Hippos”, “Flying Hippos”.

The Philadelphia Flyers joined the National Hockey League in 1967 and are a "Second Six" team. Bill Putnam, one of the co-owners of Philadelphia, insisted that the club's color scheme be dominated by orange, which he really liked. To come up with a name for the team, we had to announce a competition among the fans. The person whose option received the most votes was promised a gift - a 21-inch (53 cm) color TV. Fans suggested various options, which included: "Quakers", "Ramblers" and Liberty Bells. However, club co-owner Ed Snyder liked the option proposed by his sister - "Flyers", which means "pilots". And the same promised TV went to nine-year-old Flyers fan Alec Stockard. He, along with a hundred other applicants, also proposed the “Flyers” option, however, he wrote his own version with an error - “Fliers”. This mistake made the Flyers management smile and declare the nine-year-old boy the winner. It should be noted that the nickname “Pilots” is the only correct one, and all other nicknames are only derivatives and are rarely used. The Philadelphia Flyers are another team that does not have a mascot.

Pittsburgh Penguins

"Pittsburgh Penguins" - nicknames: "Penguins", "Pens", "Pittsburgh Penguins".

In 1966, the National Hockey League granted Pittsburgh an NHL franchise. This was the league's second expansion and marked the end of the 25-year era of the "Original Six". The Pittsburgh Penguins weren't the only Pennsylvania team to join the National Hockey League during this expansion. Along with the Penguins, the Philadelphia Flyers came to the NHL. A year later, in 1967, the Pittsburgh team made its debut in the NHL. The nickname "Penguins" is a translation of the word "Penguins". The name "Penguins", in fact, was coined in large part due to the illiteracy of the wife of one of the then owners of the club. Carol McGregor, the wife of one of the co-owners of the Penguins, Jack McGregor, received the right to name the club. She was thinking about the name of the team, starting from the arena that would become Pittsburgh’s home. The Civic Arena reminded her of a large igloo, the winter home of the Eskimos. Women's logic is a strange thing, but the only thing that came to Carol's mind were penguins, which, in her opinion, live side by side with Eskimos. The only thing is that penguins live in Antarctica, and igloos are dwellings built by Eskimos, and Eskimos are a people living in the territory from Greenland and Nunavut (Canada) to Alaska (USA) and the eastern edge of Chukotka (Russia). But, in spite of everything, both the management and the fans liked this name, so it was approved. Pittsburgh Penguins mascot Iceburgh is an anthropomorphic penguin.

Tampa Bay Lightning

“Tampa Bay Lightning” (Tampa Bay Lightning) - nicknames: “Lightning”, “Tampa”, “TBL”, “Lightning from Tampa”. Version of opponents “Fitters”.

The hockey club in Tampa, Florida, USA, appeared in 1992, and the idea of creating the team belonged to the legendary Canadian hockey player Phil Esposito. Already in 1992, the Lightning spent their debut season in the NHL. "Lightning" translates to "lightning" in English, hence the nickname. By the way, Esposito also came up with the name for the NHL newcomer. As he himself claims, the name of the club came to his mind during a severe storm. Lightning in the sky blazed without interruption, one after another. The Tampa Bay Lightning mascot, Thunderbug, is an anthropomorphic black and yellow beetle.

Toronto Maple Leafs

"Toronto Maple Leafs" (Toronto Maple Leafs) - nicknames: "Maple Leafs", "Leaves", "Toronto Maple Leafs". Version of rivals "Bra".

The Toronto Maple Leafs club has changed its name four times in its history, and thus is a real record holder in terms of name changes. The Maple Leafs were founded in 1917 in Toronto, Canada, but were given the name simply "Toronto" at birth. A year later, the club's name was changed to Toronto Arenas. In 1919, the club's name was changed to Toronto St. Patrick's. It was only in 1927 that the club was called the Toronto Maple Leafs. Translated from English, "Maple Leafs" means "Maple Leaves". The team owner was the famous Conn Smythe, in whose honor the Conn Smythe Trophy is now named. It was Smythe who came up with the name for the team. His choice is due to the fact that, firstly, “Maple Leaves” is a very symbolic name, because the flag of Canada depicts a maple leaf, and this country is called “Maple Leaf Country”. Secondly, a long time ago there was a team in Toronto called the East Maple Leaves, so it's a memory of the old Maple Leafs. And thirdly, this name is a tribute to the Royal Canadian Division (Maple Leafs), whose distinctive sign was the maple leaf. The Toronto Maple Leafs mascot is Carlton the Bear, an anthropomorphic polar bear.

Washington Capitals

"Washington Capitals" - nicknames: "Capitalists", "Capital", "Washiki", "Lice".

The Washington Capitals joined the NHL in 1974. The name "Capitals" was chosen by owner Abe Pollin after he held a competition to name the team. “Capitals” was not chosen by chance out of all the options; with this Pollin wanted to indicate that the team is based in the US capital - Washington. Moreover, in his opinion, this name will significantly distinguish his brainchild from other clubs. The nicknames "Washiki" and "Lice" are derived from "Washington", and are used only by fans. The nicknames "Capital" and "Capitalists" are official. The Washington Capitals' mascot is Slapshot, a large anthropomorphic bald eagle.