List of defunct and relocated National Hockey League teams

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Map of relocated NHL teams

The National Hockey League (NHL) is a professional men's ice hockey league, founded in 1917.[1] The NHL Board of Governors review and approve the relocation of any member club.[2] Each team appoints an individual or individuals to represent their team on the Board of Governors.[3] A majority vote is needed for relocation of a club.[4] Clubs are considered permanently relocated when moved out of their respective home territories, which includes the city that they were located in, plus 50 miles from the city's corporate limits.[3]

Under the constitution of the NHL, membership is on a partnership basis, each partner holding a franchise from the League for the operation of a hockey club in its designated city.[5] The franchise can out-live teams located in different cities. For example, the Kansas City Scouts, Colorado Rockies, and New Jersey Devils are one franchise. A franchise's history includes the records of competition won in different cities, as differently-named teams. Naming and team logos and designs are registered with the league. Two current teams use the names of previous franchises – the Ottawa Senators and Winnipeg Jets. These franchises do not include the history of the previous franchises, but have used the original franchises' logos and jersey designs. The league considers the history of the current Ottawa Senators to not include the original Senators; the Jets' franchise history includes the Atlanta Thrashers' history, not the first Winnipeg Jets (now the Arizona Coyotes).

There are 19 defunct and relocated NHL teams. The Montreal Wanderers, original Ottawa Senators, and the Quebec Bulldogs had played in the NHA before joining the NHL; Quebec City joined the NHL two years later as the Athletics.[6] The Pittsburgh Pirates played in the U.S. Amateur Hockey Association as the Pittsburgh Yellow Jackets before joining the NHL in 1925.[7] The first NHL team to disband was the Montreal Wanderers, citing the lack of available players due to World War I.[8] The first team to relocate was the Athletics, who relocated to Hamilton, Ontario, to become the Hamilton Tigers. The NHL president at the time, Frank Calder, stripped the franchise from owner Mike Quinn and sold it to a Hamilton-based company.[9] Three franchises became defunct due to the Great Depression: the Philadelphia Quakers, the St. Louis Eagles, and the Montreal Maroons. During their time in the NHL, the Senators and Maroons both won the Stanley Cup championship multiple times, with four and two respectively. The Brooklyn Americans was the last team to become defunct in the NHL. The franchise was struggling financially and, due to the lack of players because of World War II, was suspended prior to the 1942–43 season. The franchise formally ceased in 1946.[10] The Americans' departure reduced the number of teams to six. This began what became known as the Original Six era of the NHL.

The Original Six era ended when the NHL

Oakland to become the Cleveland Barons; this was the first time in four decades the NHL approved a franchise relocation.[11] Two years later, after failed overtures towards merging with the Washington Capitals and the Vancouver Canucks, the Barons merged with the North Stars.[12] The Barons are the only NHL team to merge operations with another one.[13] The North Stars relocated to Dallas in 1993 to become the Stars.[14]

After six additional expansion teams, the merger of the

Winnipeg Jets, and the Hartford Whalers.[15] The Nordiques became the Colorado Avalanche in 1995, while the Winnipeg Jets became the Phoenix Coyotes in 1996 and rebranded as the Arizona Coyotes in 2014 (but then becoming defunct in 2024), with the Hartford Whalers moving to North Carolina and becoming the Carolina Hurricanes in 1997. The Winnipeg Jets identity was revived in 2011, when a Winnipeg-based company received approval from the league to purchase the struggling Atlanta Thrashers and relocate them to Winnipeg for the 2011–12 season.[16] Out of the seven active relocated franchises in the NHL, two have not yet won the Stanley Cup championship: the Coyotes and the Jets (both teams have also never been to the Stanley Cup Finals).[17]

Most of the

Minneapolis – St. Paul (Minnesota Wild in 2000) and Winnipeg (current Jets in 2011).[18]

Defunct and relocated teams

First First year in the NHL
Last Last year in the NHL
Record Win–loss–tie–overtime record
Win% Winning percentage
PA NHL (1918–1926) /
Stanley Cup playoff
(1927–present) appearances
SC Stanley Cup wins
* Denotes active franchise
^ City would later receive a new franchise
Team First Last Relocated to Seasons Record Win% PA SC Reason for relocation/disbandment Reference
Montreal Wanderers^ 1917 1918[g] Defunct 1 1–5–0 .167 0 0 Lack of available players due to World War I and arena burned down[8] [19]
Quebec Bulldogs^ 1919 1920 Hamilton Tigers 1 4–20–0 .167 0 0 Sold to a Hamilton-based company[9] [20]
Hamilton Tigers 1920 1925 Defunct 5 47–78–1 .377 0 0 Ceased operations due to players' strike; players were bought by the New York Americans.[21] [22]
Pittsburgh Pirates^[a] 1925 1930 Philadelphia Quakers 5 67–122–23 .370 2 0 Financial problems during the Great Depression[7] [23]
Philadelphia Quakers^ 1930 1931 Defunct 1 4–36–4 .136 0 0 Financial problems during the Great Depression[7] [24]
Ottawa Senators^[b] 1917 1934 St. Louis Eagles 16[h] 258–221–63 .534 9 4 Financial problems during the Great Depression[25] [26]
St. Louis Eagles^ 1934 1935 Defunct 1 11–31–6 .292 0 0 Financial problems during the Great Depression[27] [28]
Montreal Maroons 1924 1938 Defunct 14 271–260–91 .509 11 2 Financial problems during the Great Depression[29] [30]
Brooklyn Americans^[c] 1925 1942 Defunct 17 255–402–127 .406 5 0 Financial problems, plus lack of players due to World War II; formally ceased in 1946.[10] [31]
California Golden Seals^[d] 1967 1976 Cleveland Barons 9 182–401–115 .343 2 0 In search of better financial conditions; Cleveland is the hometown of minority owner George Gund III.[32] [33]
Kansas City Scouts 1974 1976 Colorado Rockies 2 27–110–23 .241 0 0 Financial problems; sold to a group of investors with the intention to move.[34] [35]
Cleveland Barons 1976 1978 Defunct
Merged with Minnesota North Stars		 2 47–87–26 .375 0 0 Both teams with financial problems. To date, the Barons are the last NHL franchise to cease operations.[12] [33]
Atlanta Flames^ 1972 1980 Calgary Flames* 8 268–260–108 .506 6 0 Financial problems; sold to Nelson Skalbania with the intention to move to Calgary.[36] [37]
Colorado Rockies^[e] 1976 1982 New Jersey Devils* 6 113–281–86 .325 0 0 Sold to John McMullen in search of better financial conditions; New Jersey is McMullen's home state.[38] [35]
Minnesota North Stars^ 1967 1993 Dallas Stars* 26 758–970–334 .449 17 0 In search of better financial conditions.[14][39] [40]
Quebec Nordiques 1979 1995 Colorado Avalanche* 16 497–599–160 .459 9 0 Financial problems; sold to a Denver-based group.[41] [42]
Winnipeg Jets^[f]
 1979 1996 Phoenix Coyotes 17 506–660–172 .442 11 0 Sold to a group of investors with the intention to move in search of better financial conditions.[43] [44]
Hartford Whalers 1979 1997 Carolina Hurricanes* 18 534–709–177 .438 8 0 In search of better financial conditions.[45] [46]
Atlanta Thrashers 1999 2011 Winnipeg Jets* 11[i] 342–437–45–78 .447 1 0 Financial problems; sold to a Winnipeg-based company TNSE.[16] [47]
Arizona Coyotes[j] 1996 2024 Franchise inactive
Hockey assets relocated to become Utah NHL team		 27[i] 918–934–94–191 .495 9 0 Inability of team to construct new arena after two seasons playing in Mullett Arena. Hockey assets sold to Ryan Smith, owner of the Utah Jazz.[48] [48]

Notes

Map of defunct and relocated teams

Winnipeg Jets (1972–96)Minnesota North StarsQuebec BulldogsQuebec NordiquesCalifornia Golden SealsAtlanta FlamesAtlanta ThrashersSt. Louis EaglesKansas City ScoutsKansas City ScoutsColorado Rockies (NHL)Pittsburgh Pirates (NHL)Pittsburgh Pirates (NHL)Cleveland Barons (NHL)Cleveland Barons (NHL)Philadelphia QuakersPhiladelphia QuakersOttawa Senators (original)Ottawa Senators (original)Montreal MaroonsMontreal WanderersHartford WhalersNew York AmericansHamilton Tigers
Map of the defunct and relocated NHL teams; the team names are clickable.

Timeline


See also

References

  1. ^ Holzman & Nieforth 2002, p. 159
  2. ^ McGran, Kevin (June 6, 2009). "NHL's secret constitution revealed". Toronto Star. Retrieved May 17, 2011.
  3. ^ a b "Constitution of the National Hockey League" (PDF). The Star. Toronto. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 11, 2009. Retrieved May 17, 2011.
  4. ^ Wiebe, Ken (May 23, 2011). "NHL return remains on ice". Edmonton Sun. Archived from the original on July 29, 2012. Retrieved May 27, 2011.
  5. ^ NHL Constitution, p. 2
  6. ^ Pincus 2006, p. 24
  7. ^ a b c Bouchette, Ed (May 2, 1999). "Ice Age". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved April 30, 2011.
  8. ^ a b McFarlane, Brian. "Early Leagues and the Birth of the NHL". National Hockey League. Retrieved April 30, 2011.
  9. ^ a b Holzman & Nieforth 2002, p. 230
  10. ^ a b McFarlane 1990, p. 43
  11. ^ McFarlane 1990, p. 144
  12. ^ a b McFarlane 1990, p. 163
  13. ^ "10 Sports Franchises That Have Gone Bankrupt: 1978 Cleveland Barons". CNBC. Archived from the original on October 15, 2012. Retrieved May 15, 2011.
  14. ^ a b Montville, Leigh (April 19, 1993). "Spleen for Green". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved May 12, 2011.
  15. ISBN 0-7710-8947-3
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  16. ^ a b Dan Rosen (June 21, 2011). "NHL Board unanimous on Winnipeg sale, relocation". National Hockey League. Retrieved May 10, 2015.
  17. ^ "Stanley Cup Champions and Finalists". National Hockey League. Retrieved April 18, 2013.
  18. ^ "Teams". National Hockey League. Retrieved April 30, 2011.
  19. ^ "Montreal Wanderers Franchise Index". Hockey-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 30, 2011.
  20. ^ "Quebec Bulldogs Franchise Index". Hockey-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 30, 2011.
  21. ^ Pincus 2006, p. 35
  22. ^ "Hamilton Tigers Franchise Index". Hockey-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 30, 2011.
  23. ^ "Pittsburgh Pirates Franchise Index". Hockey-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 30, 2011.
  24. ^ "Philadelphia Quakers Franchise Index". Hockey-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 30, 2011.
  25. ^ "No NHL Hockey Team for Ottawa Next Winter". The Ottawa Evening Citizen. April 7, 1934. p. 1.
  26. ^ "Ottawa Senators Franchise Index". Hockey-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 30, 2011.
  27. Leader-Post
    . October 16, 1935. Retrieved May 18, 2011.
  28. ^ "St. Louis Eagles Franchise Index". Hockey-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 30, 2011.
  29. ^ Coleman, Charles L. (1969). The Trail of the Stanley Cup, Vol II. Progressive Publications.
  30. ^ "Montreal Maroons Franchise Index". Hockey-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 30, 2011.
  31. ^ "New York Americans Franchise Index". Hockey-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 30, 2011.
  32. ISBN 978-1-4502-8605-3
    .
  33. ^ a b "Cleveland Barons Franchise Index". Hockey-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 30, 2011.
  34. ^ "Scout Move Almost Complete". Leader-Post. Associated Press. July 16, 1976. Retrieved May 27, 2011.
  35. ^ a b "New Jersey Devils Franchise Index". Hockey-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 30, 2011.
  36. ^ "Flames Sold, To Move to Calgary". The Palm Beach Post. May 24, 1980. Archived from the original on July 13, 2012. Retrieved May 18, 2011.
  37. ^ "Calgary Flames Franchise Index". Hockey-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 30, 2011.
  38. ^ McFarlane 1990, p. 206
  39. ^ "The 35 Biggest Moments in Modern Dallas History". D Magazine. December 16, 2009. Archived from the original on May 20, 2011. Retrieved April 30, 2011.
  40. ^ "Dallas Stars Franchise Index". Hockey-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on May 19, 2011. Retrieved April 30, 2011.
  41. ^ Deacon, James (June 5, 1995). "Nordiques Move to Colorado". Maclean's. Archived from the original on September 30, 2007. Retrieved April 30, 2011.
  42. ^ "Colorado Avalanche Franchise Index". Hockey-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 30, 2011.
  43. ^ "Phoenix isn't only city interested in Winnipeg Jets". The Daily Courier. December 3, 1995. p. 2B. Retrieved April 30, 2011.
  44. ^ "Phoenix Coyotes Franchise Index". Hockey-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 30, 2011.
  45. ^ Rabinovitz, Jonathan (March 27, 1997). "Another Blow to Hartford: Whalers to Leave, Rejecting Arena Offer". The New York Times. Retrieved April 30, 2011.
  46. ^ "Carolina Hurricanes Franchise Index". Hockey-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 30, 2011.
  47. ^ "Atlanta Thrashers Franchise Index". Hockey-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved June 1, 2011.
  48. ^ a b c "NHL board approves relocation of Arizona Coyotes to Utah". Sportsnet. April 18, 2024. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
  49. ^ "1917-18 NHL Season Summary". Hockey-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 30, 2011.
  50. ISBN 0-8020-8520-2
    .
  51. ^ *Burnside, Scott (February 16, 2005). "Lockout's future holds myriad possibilities". ESPN.com. ESPN Internet Ventures. Retrieved April 18, 2013.

Further reading

External links

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