NHL Original 6: A History of the League’s First Teams

Title: NHL “Original Six” History – Customer Service Agent Guide Introduction: This guide provides a structured overview of the NHL’s famed “Original Six” teams—Boston Bruins, Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Red Wings, Montreal Canadiens, New York Rangers, and Toronto Maple Leafs. It is designed for customer service agents to better assist customers with inquiries about team history, trivia, and related fan interest. Main Content: 1. Overview of the Original Six – Definition: The “Original Six” refers to the six teams that composed the NHL from 1942 to 1967: Boston Bruins, Chicago Black Hawks (later Blackhawks), Detroit Red Wings, Montreal Canadiens, New York Rangers, and Toronto Maple Leafs ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Original_Six?utm_source=openai)). – Era context: This 25-season period followed the departure of the New York/Brooklyn Americans in 1942 and preceded the league’s significant expansion in 1967 ([blog.ticketmaster.com](https://blog.ticketmaster.com/nhl-original-6-history-explained/?utm_source=openai)). 2. Team Histories During the Original Six Era A. Montreal Canadiens – Founded in 1909, joined NHL as charter member in 1917; longest continuously operating professional hockey club ([blog.ticketmaster.com](https://blog.ticketmaster.com/nhl-original-6-history-explained/?utm_source=openai)). – Dominated the era with 10 Stanley Cups, including a five-year consecutive streak from 1955 to 1960 ([blog.ticketmaster.com](https://blog.ticketmaster.com/nhl-original-6-history-explained/?utm_source=openai)). B. Toronto Maple Leafs – Joined NHL in 1917, initially called “Toronto”; renamed “Maple Leafs” in 1927 ([blog.ticketmaster.com](https://blog.ticketmaster.com/nhl-original-6-history-explained/?utm_source=openai)). – Won nine Stanley Cups during the Original Six era, including three straight from 1946 to 1949; total of 13 Cups all-time ([blog.ticketmaster.com](https://blog.ticketmaster.com/nhl-original-6-history-explained/?utm_source=openai)). C. Boston Bruins – Joined the NHL in 1924, first U.S.-based team ([blog.ticketmaster.com](https://blog.ticketmaster.com/nhl-original-6-history-explained/?utm_source=openai)). – Won three early championships before the Original Six era; struggled during the period (only four winning seasons between 1947–1967) ([blog.ticketmaster.com](https://blog.ticketmaster.com/nhl-original-6-history-explained/?utm_source=openai)). – Notably integrated NHL history as the team to debut the league’s first Black player, Willie O’Ree, in 1958 ([blog.ticketmaster.com](https://blog.ticketmaster.com/nhl-original-6-history-explained/?utm_source=openai)). D. Chicago Blackhawks – Entered NHL in 1926; won first Stanley Cup in 1934 ([blog.ticketmaster.com](https://blog.ticketmaster.com/nhl-original-6-history-explained/?utm_source=openai)). – During the Original Six era, captured one Cup and reached three finals, powered by stars like Bobby Hull, Stan Mikita, and Pierre Pilote ([blog.ticketmaster.com](https://blog.ticketmaster.com/nhl-original-6-history-explained/?utm_source=openai)). E. Detroit Red Wings – Joined in 1926 as the Cougars; renamed “Red Wings” in 1932 ([blog.ticketmaster.com](https://blog.ticketmaster.com/nhl-original-6-history-explained/?utm_source=openai)). – Won first Cup in 1936; secured five titles during the Original Six years (including 1950, 1952, 1954, 1955), with dominance from the Production Line (Gordie Howe, Ted Lindsay, Sid Abel) ([blog.ticketmaster.com](https://blog.ticketmaster.com/nhl-original-6-history-explained/?utm_source=openai)). F. New York Rangers – Founded in 1926 by Tex Rickard; won a Cup in second season ([blog.ticketmaster.com](https://blog.ticketmaster.com/nhl-original-6-history-explained/?utm_source=openai)). – Struggled during the era, missing playoffs frequently; in 1950 their “home” Cup Final games were played in Toronto due to scheduling conflicts at MSG ([blog.ticketmaster.com](https://blog.ticketmaster.com/nhl-original-6-history-explained/?utm_source=openai)). 3. Key Facts & Trends – The Canadiens hold the most Stanley Cup wins among all NHL teams, with 24 ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Original_Six?utm_source=openai)). – During the Original Six era, Canadiens won 10 Cups, Leafs 9, Red Wings 5; Chicago 1, Boston and New York none ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Original_Six?utm_source=openai)). – The era persisted until 1967 when the league doubled in size as part of its first major expansion, ending the Original Six-only period ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1967_NHL_expansion?utm_source=openai)). Conclusion: The Original Six era remains one of the most iconic and enduring chapters in NHL history. These six franchises not only anchored the league for a quarter-century but also established legacies of success, rivalries, and hockey heritage that continue to resonate with fans today. Customer service agents can use this guide to answer fan questions, share trivia, and foster deeper engagement with customers seeking historical context. --- Note to Agents: – Use specific team histories to answer questions about team origins, championships, or notable players. – Reference Stanley Cup counts and era timelines for trivia or comparative queries. – Highlight milestones like Willie O’Ree’s debut for diversity and inclusion questions. – When asked about “Original Six,” explain the term originated retroactively post-1967 expansion.