West Division (NHL) facts for kids
The West Division was a special group of hockey teams in the National Hockey League (NHL). It existed from the 1967-68 season until the 1973-74 season. Before 1967, the NHL had only one big group of teams. The West Division was created when the league grew bigger, adding more teams and splitting them into two groups: the West and the East. After 1974, the NHL changed its setup again, creating two larger groups called "conferences," each with two smaller divisions.
Contents
Teams in the West Division
The West Division had several teams during its time. Some teams were there from the very beginning, while others joined later.
- Philadelphia Flyers (1967–1974)
- Los Angeles Kings (1967–1974)
- St. Louis Blues (1967–1974)
- Minnesota North Stars (1967–1974)
- Pittsburgh Penguins (1967–1974)
- California Seals (1967), then Oakland Seals (1967–1970), and back to California Golden Seals (1970–1974)
- Chicago Black Hawks (1970–1974)
- Atlanta Flames (1972–1974)
How Teams Performed Each Season
The teams in the West Division played many games each season. Their performance was tracked using points, wins, losses, and ties. Teams that did well often made it to the playoffs, which are special games to decide the champion.
1967–68 Season Highlights
In the first season of the West Division, the Philadelphia Flyers finished in first place. The Los Angeles Kings, St. Louis Blues, and Minnesota North Stars also played well enough to make the playoffs.
1968–69 Season Highlights
The St. Louis Blues were the top team this season. The Oakland Seals, Philadelphia Flyers, and Los Angeles Kings also qualified for the playoffs.
1969–70 Season Highlights
Again, the St. Louis Blues led the division. The Pittsburgh Penguins, Minnesota North Stars, and Oakland Seals joined them in the playoffs.
1970–71 Season Highlights
This season, the Chicago Black Hawks joined the West Division and immediately took the top spot. The St. Louis Blues, Philadelphia Flyers, and Minnesota North Stars also made the playoffs.
1971–72 Season Highlights
The Chicago Black Hawks continued their strong performance, finishing first again. The Minnesota North Stars, St. Louis Blues, and Pittsburgh Penguins also qualified for the playoffs.
1972–73 Season Highlights
The Chicago Black Hawks secured first place for the third year in a row. The Philadelphia Flyers, Minnesota North Stars, and St. Louis Blues also earned playoff spots.
1973–74 Season Highlights
In the final season of the West Division, the Philadelphia Flyers had an amazing year, finishing first with the most points. The Chicago Black Hawks, Los Angeles Kings, and Atlanta Flames also made it to the playoffs.
Division Champions
The team that finished first in the West Division each season was considered the division champion. For a full list of these champions, you can look at the Clarence Campbell Trophy page.
Stanley Cup Champions from the West Division
The ultimate goal for any NHL team is to win the Stanley Cup. While the West Division existed, one of its teams went on to win the Stanley Cup.
- 1973–74 - The Philadelphia Flyers won the Stanley Cup, making them the only team from the West Division to achieve this during the division's existence.
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