1967 NHL expansion facts for kids
The National Hockey League (NHL) decided to make a big change for the 1967-68 NHL season. They added six brand-new teams to the league! Before this, there were only six teams. This was the first time the NHL had changed its number of teams since 1942. It also marked the end of an important time in NHL history known as the Original Six era.
Growing the NHL in 1967
The idea to add more teams started in March 1965. The president of the NHL, Clarence Campbell, announced that the league wanted to grow. They planned to create a second group of six teams. This would make the league much bigger and bring hockey to more cities.
The Original Six Teams
For many years, from 1942 until 1967, the NHL had only six teams. These teams were very famous and are still well-known today. They are often called the "Original Six."
Here are the teams that were part of the Original Six:
- Boston Bruins
- Chicago Black Hawks
- Detroit Red Wings
- Montreal Canadiens
- New York Rangers
- Toronto Maple Leafs
The New Teams of 1967
When the NHL expanded in 1967, they doubled in size! Six new teams joined the league, bringing exciting hockey to more fans across North America.
These are the six teams that joined the NHL in 1967:
- California Seals
- Los Angeles Kings
- Minnesota North Stars
- Philadelphia Flyers
- Pittsburgh Penguins
- St. Louis Blues
This expansion was a huge moment for the NHL. It helped the league become even more popular and set the stage for its continued growth over the years.
Images for kids
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The jerseys worn by the Los Angeles Kings (left) and California Seals upon entering the NHL in 1967
