The Winnipeg Jets, which were formerly the Atlanta Thrashers, played their first official NHL game last Sunday (and lost) against the Montreal Canadiens. Season tickets went on sale back in June and, according to The Winnipeg Free Press, True North Sports and Entertainment’s “Drive to 13,000” season-ticket campaign lasted less than 72 hours as the last tickets were claimed within 17 minutes.
Here’s a look back at the top 10 Canadian hockey teams.
Montreal Canadiens
The Canadiens are the oldest team in the entire league, having been founded before the NHL was even formally established. A distinguished member of the renowned “Original Six,” the Canadiens have won more Stanley Cups than any other team, making them a no-brainer addition to this top 10.
Toronto Maple Leafs
Another “Original Six” member, the Leafs hold the second-place standing for most championship wins at 13. Valued at an incredible $505 million US (in 2010), the Leafs are touted as the most valuable team in the league.
Vancouver Canucks
Joining the NHL in 1970, the Canucks won the Presidents’ Trophy for best regular season record as well as the Campbell Bowl (Western Conference playoff title) for the 2010–11 season. They lost the Stanley Cup last year to the Boston Bruins.
Calgary Flames
Sharing the Alberta spotlight with the Edmonton Oilers, the Flames have won five division championships. The team is involved in community sports, owning Western Hockey League along with National Lacrosse League franchises. The Flames Foundation has also raised millions of dollars for local charities.
Edmonton Oilers
Winning the Stanley Cup a total of five times throughout the 80s, the Oilers currently hold a “dynasty” status by the Hockey Hall of Fame for their successes that decade.
Ottawa Senators
There have been two Sens’ teams – the first was founded in 1883 and were known for winning a number of Cups, and the second team came about in 1990 more than a century later. They’ve made the playoffs 12 out of 14 seasons.
Quebec Nordiques
Now defunct, the Quebec Nordiques (who are currently the Colorado Avalanche) are the only professional team that the capital city of the province has ever had. The team boasted stars including Guy Lafleur, Jacques Plante, Maurice Richard, Michel Goulet, and Peter Stastny.
Team Canada
Canada’s national men’s hockey team is one of the most celebrated in the entire world. They’ve amassed wins in four of five Canada Cups and eight Winter Olympic golds, more than any other team.
Montreal Maroons
A team from 1924 to 1938, the Maroons won two Stanley Cups and had Hall of Famers on their roster like Lionel Conacher, Babe Siebert, Hooley Smith, Punch Broadbent, and Clint Benedict.
Toronto Blueshirts
Founded in 1911, the Blueshirts or Torontos became the Toronto Maple Leafs during the 1926-27 season and were able to clinch the Stanley Cup a total of two times.
Photo Credit: ASSOCIATED PRESS
