1893    Former Governor General Lord Stanley pledges to donate a silver challenge cup, later named after him, as an award for the best hockey team in Canada; originally presented to amateur champions, the Stanley Cup has been awarded to the top pro team since 1910, and since 1926, only to National Hockey League teams.

1917    The National Hockey League is formed, with the Montreal Canadiens, Montreal Wanderers, Ottawa Senators, Quebec Bulldogs, and Toronto Arenas as its first teams.

1944    Maurice Richard becomes the first player to score 8 points in one game of NHL ice hockey.

1958    Willie O'Ree, the first African Canadian National Hockey League player, makes his NHL debut.

1966    The National Hockey League awards Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania a second NHL franchise, the Pittsburgh Penguins.

1980    Gordie Howe of the then Hartford Whalers makes NHL history as he scores his 800th goal.

2004    National Hockey League commissioner Gary Bettman announces lockout of the players union and cessation of operations by the NHL head office.

2005    The National Hockey League cancels the entire 2004-2005 regular season and playoffs, becoming the first major sports league in North America to do so over a labor dispute.