-
The Boston Bruins are founded and become the first American team in the NHL.
-
The Boston Bruins beat the Montreal Maroons 2-1
-
The Chicago Blackhawks, New York Rangers, and the Detroit Cougars
-
The New York Rangers are the first American team to win the Stanley CUp.
-
The New York Americans defeat Toronto 3-2 in the first game to be broadcast coast-to-coast in Canada.
-
The Brooklyn Americans withdraw from the NHL leaving the league to the Original Six for the next 25 years.
-
The Soviet Union enters the Olympics and wins the gold. Starting a huge dynasty.
-
The NHL doubles in size, adding franchises in Pittsburgh, Los Angeles, Minnesota, Oakland, St. Louis and Philadelphia.
-
The NHL teams lose 7 of 8 games against the Soviet Union in exhibition games
-
The United States shocks the Soviet Union in the 1980 Lake Placid Olympics with a 4-3 victory
-
Arguabley the Best player in the history of the NHL Wayne Gretzky is traded to the Los Angeles Kings. Shifting the focus from The Lakers Earvin "Magic" Johnsons showtime team to Wayne Gretzkys Kings, this attracted many celebrities and boosted the NHL in the media.
-
New York Rangers win the Stanley Cup for the first time since 1940. Rangers' defenseman Brian Leetch is the first American-born player to win the Conn Smythe trophy as playoff MVP.
-
The Quebec Nordiques, The Winnipeg Jets, and the Hartford Whalers move from Canada to the south and southwest. They became the Colorodo Avalanche, the Phoenix Coyotes, and the Carolina Hurricanes
-
The NHL players association and the NHL owners cannot resolve a collective bargaining agreement. A main issue was the salary cap which was a budget on players salaries. It was the first time the Stanley Cup was not awarded to a team.
-
The United states plays Canada in the gold medal game drew 26.7 million telivision viewers to the game. Making it the most ever in Olympic History. The USA lost in overtime but made a great game out of it.
-
The NHL is the highest point for a hockey player anywhere. The NHL attracts players from 30 different countries.
