Who were the first teams to join the NHL?

Answer 1

Before the 1967-68 season, the NHL added:

California Seals (renamed Oakland Seals, then California Golden Seals)

Los Angeles Kings Minnesota North Stars Philadelphia Flyers Pittsburgh Penguins St. Louis Blues

Answer 2

The Original Six teams are:

• Montreal Canadiens (Founded 1909, charter member of NHL in 1917)
• Toronto Maple Leafs (Toronto Arenas were granted a temporary franchise by the charter members in 1917, and ware renamed the St. Patricks in 1919 and the Maple Leafs in 1926.)
• Boston Bruins (Founded 1924)
• Detroit Red Wings (Founded 1926)
• Chicago Blackhawks (Founded 1926)
• New York Rangers (Founded 1926)

Actually, the above is only what became known as the Original Six after the New York Americans folded in the 1940's leaving the NHL with 6 teams. The NHL was founded in 1917 by 1) Montreal Canadiens, 2) Montreal Wanderers, 3) Ottawa Senators, and 4) Quebec Bulldogs. Although they were considered full members of the league, the Quebec Bulldogs were unable to play during the NHL's inaugural season, so the remaining owners granted a "temporary" franchise to the Toronto Arena company in order to balance out the schedule. That "temporary" franchise is still around today, and is known as the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Answer 3

• Montreal Canadiens (founded 1909; charter member of the NHL in 1917)
• Toronto Maple Leafs (original Toronto Arenas franchise was charter member of the NHL in 1917; renamed Maple Leafs in 1927)
• Detroit Red Wings (founded 1921; moved from Victoria, BC; originally named Cougars, then Falcons)
• Boston Bruins (founded 1924)
• New York Rangers (founded 1925)
• Chicago Blackhawks (founded 1926, known as the "Black Hawks" throughout the period)

Answer 4

The charter members of the NHL were the Montreal Canadiens, Montreal Wanderers, Ottawa Senators, Quebec Bulldogs and Toronto Arenas (now the Maple Leafs).