How It Was Named | NHL Teams

Music by Evan Schaeffer, / evanschaeffer
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Have you ever wondered how every NHL team got its name? Well I did too!
I wanted to know how every Hockey name changed through the years, so I decided to take an unreasonably long time to research each team and create this video. Hopefully you learn a thing or two, too!
Each team is listed in the order that they were founded or became a part of the NHL. And since location plays a huge role in the team name (like 50%) I also hit every time an NHL moved as a part of this video!
Be sure to like and subscribe so that you don't miss future videos!
Washington Post article about pluralizing "Maple Leafs":
www.washingtonpost.com/news/d...
#NHL #Hockey #Sports #History #Teams
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0:00 Intro / How the NHL Was Named
1:05 Montreal Canadiens
2:06 Toronto Maple Leafs
5:29 Boston Bruins
6:18 Chicago Blackhawks
8:02 Detroit Red Wings
9:37 New York Rangers
10:54 Original Six
11:22 Vancouver Canucks
13:09 Dallas Stars
14:20 Los Angeles Kings
15:10 Philadelphia Flyers
16:37 Pittsburgh Penguins
17:30 St. Louis Blues
18:00 California Golden Seals
20:40 Buffalo Sabres
21:43 NHL & WHA Merger Explained
22:11 Arizona Coyotes
23:20 Carolina Hurricanes
24:50 Colorado Avalanche
26:53 Edmonton Oilers
28:22 Calgary Flames
29:13 New York Islanders
29:42 New Jersey Devils
31:41 Washington Capitals
32:07 San Jose Sharks
34:26 Ottawa Senators
35:45 Tampa Bay Lightning
36:26 Anaheim Ducks
37:08 Florida Panthers
37:40 Nashville Predators
38:25 Winnipeg Jets
40:14 Columbus Blue Jackets
41:20 Minnesota Wild
42:06 Vegas Golden Knights
43:01 Seattle Kraken
44:15 Outro

[@themajesticamericanwoodcoc1951]

The Blackhawks should never change their name. Unlike the "Redskins" or "Indians" there's no racist connotation to "Blackhawks" as it's the name of a real native and not a slur. They give tons of money to the Soux and have native American representatives at every game. There's no hate there.

[@punklover99]

Not to mention they have permission from local groups to use the name. The only time chef Blackhawk looked bad was a time in the 30's when he was in red face. It only lasted a year and he's always looked proud

[@neerajtohan2507]

I believe the name will remain due to the fact that the original owner named it after his or an army platoon.

[@PowerPackers90]

I always said the Blackhawks, Chiefs, and Braves if they had to change it. Would be easy ones. Just change the logos and the names still fit perfectly.

[@pegrenier400]

How is 'Indians' derogatory

[@PowerPackers90]

@@pegrenier400 Cause Columbus was an idiot and called the 1st non white people he saw "Indians" cause he thought he was in India.

[@NandoA130]

I love that the Flames use the A from their Atlanta days for their alternate captains. It's a creative nod to their history

[@MrZics]

they don't any more though

[@NandoA130]

@@MrZics yeah I noticed that 🥺

[@JesusFriedChrist]

We also have a Canadian flag on one shoulder, and an Albertan flag on the other.

[@throwsand2]

eh it looks silly tbh

[@ozzy0353]

@@JesusFriedChrist not anymore though

[@mr.unicorn8847]

Thank you for mentioning the Victoria Cougars. A lot of people who do NHL history videos often skip them and not a lot of people know that the Victoria Cougars have a Stanley Cup under their belt. In fact, the banner is still hanging in the Save on Foods Memorial Arena in my hometown of Victoria BC. Now home of the WHL team Victoria Royals.

[@JustinLearnsThings]

Glad I was able to include them! Thanks for checking out the video!

[@oscarquintero2209]

I smiled so hard when you said "the Penguins played their first season on the Igloo"

[@JustinLearnsThings]

Haha thanks for watching!

[@TheMrPeteChannel]

Igloos are associated with the artic yet Penguins live in the Antarctic. Farthest north they go is to the Equator in winter. Sooooo.... Both poles covered?

[@nathanviebranz9111]

I like how not only do you go through how the teams got their names and the meaning behind them, but you also provide a visual image of the historical process that the leagues underwent to get where they are today. Adds a new layer of substance to these kinds of videos.

[@JustinLearnsThings]

Thanks for checking out the video! Glad you enjoyed it!! 🙏

[@faiththomas1749]

@JustinLearnsThings I have a uncle from Canada and live in the one state in the one city you’d never expect Los Angeles California hence I’m a kings fan in 2022 do you know how hard it is to be black and female and a hockey fan in my home state

[@sir_sack]

@@faiththomas1749 way to bring up race and gender under a video completely unrelated!

[@johnnyviking8152]

@@faiththomas1749 that's crappy, you should be able to do you

[@idelsagil9129]

10:55 13:15 18:04

[@jeremyk4378]

Really just skipped to the Flames because I love laughing at how the owner named them after William Tecumseh Sherman burning through Georgia. 😂

[@JustinLearnsThings]

Yeah that was a bit of a double take moment! 😂

[@pjpredhomme7699]

@@JustinLearnsThings I guess i am a little less critical that they did not make it in that market

[@alizah8042]

That's one of the reasons I love the Blue Jackets name -- dunking on the Confederacy is fun!!!! Fuck those guys!!

[@dustindodds4827]

Needless confession: when I was a kid, I thought the Packers were named after a bird, the Steelers after thieves, and the Blue Jackets after an insect. That is all. Informative video, thank you.

[@JustinLearnsThings]

Hahaha I love it! Thanks for sharing!

[@OnyxMoneyDrops]

I thought the blue jackets were named after blue coloured jackets 🧥

[@DevilFish69]

Fun fact. The San Francisco Sharks were originally called the San Francisco Seahawks. But after Gary Davidson found out his friend Dennis Murphy was going to call his team the Los Angeles Aces, he changed the name to the Sharks. Why? Well Murphy picked Aces because Aces trump Kings and it was a shot at their NHL rivals. Davidson liked that line of thinking and choose Sharks because sharks eat seals. This was a shot at the Seals across the bay (their NHL rivals). After Davidson sold his team to Quebec interests, Murphy (who loved the Sharks name as he thought it was intimidating) got permission from Davidson to use the name and rechristened his Aces the Sharks.

[@washmonument]

WHAT!?

[@DevilFish69]

@@washmonument I'm referring to the team that would become the Quebec Nordiques.

[@vicmac3513]

As an european it is hard to understand that small team (name&business) could be sold to another country (USA to Canada). Did the players move along or why move the location if even the name was changed?

[@Rockhound6165]

My fiest ever live hockey game was the LA Sharks @ the Philadelphia Blazers. Fun Fact: the Sharks had the only African American player in a major hockey league, Alton White and he remained the only black player until the expansion Capitals drafted Mike Marson.

[@Rockhound6165]

@@vicmac3513 depends. When the WHA was founded and the teams were being sorted out, few players were committed to the new league so when the SF Sharks were moved to Quebec, it was just the franchise rights as there were no players yet. In the NHL when the Nordiques were moved to Colorado they brought the players with them.

[@iangraham6887]

Another fun fact about the Calgary flames is that the name “flames” is very suitable there as well. In 1886 a fire broke out in the mostly wooden town and burned many of the essential buildings to the ground. A law was passed after that for essential buildings to be built out of sandstone to reduce the risk of fires.

[@JustinLearnsThings]

That's pretty interesting! Thanks for checking out the video!

[@JesusFriedChrist]

Which makes sense why Sandstone is such a large part of Calgary’s downtown architecture.

[@cliffbungalow9373]

They were the Atlanta Flames before the team moved to Cowtown.

[@cliffbungalow9373]

And it‘s a strange name because Atlanta was burned to the ground by Sherman at the end of the American civil war.

[@gordonhawley2590]

Also possibly behind Calgary starting with the name Flames had to do with copious gas flaring from the nearby Turner Valley could be seen for miles and was the most noticeable sight when flying into Calgary at night. And, flames burn!

[@spqr_3177]

Les Canadiens de Montréal have this name because originally, it was the team with only "Canadiens" players, or, as we say now, Québécois (French-speaking Canadians). In those days, the English-speaking Canadians, who most of the time called themselves "British" (the ties to the Empire were still strong) had their own team, the Montreal Maroons. In the end the Maroons folded and the Canadiens became the only Montreal team in the league, as well as being an immense source of pride for the French-speakers. Notice the red, white and blue colors (yes, the colors of the French flag). As for the "Habs" nickname, it derives from "Habitants", an old word meaning peasant, of farmer. Apart from the chant "Go Habs Go!" in the Bell centre, no Québécois refers to the Canadiens this way, only English-speakers do. French-speakers will rather use nicknames such as "le tricolore" (the tri-color) ou "la sainte flanelle" (the holy flannel - yes, a direct reference to Quebec catholic roots).

[@ferociousfil5747]

And the team being a religion in Quebec…

[@sabrepax9012]

More precisly, the term "Canadiens" refers to the descendants of the French settlers that founded New France ( modern Québec now) with the arrival of Jacques Cartier in 1534. The milice canadienne fought alonside the royal French troops sent from Europe in all conflicts against the Natives or the British until the Conquest in 1759. The French and Canadiens were until that date and after it was rhe British and the Canadiens that were living North of the future USA. The word "Canadian" has then been transmuted into the population (Anglo and Franco) that lived in North America with the Union Act in 1840 and after the British North Amrerican Act of 1867 (the constitutional birth of modern Canada)

[@elGeant24]

This is not totally accurate. There used to be Anglo players in the team before the Maroons with the Canadiens and even during their short presence in the league. I believe Canadiens was used for every French-Canadians from the 1600's until the 1960's except for those in Acadia (Atlantic Canada). Tu parles probablement français, mais je sais que pour mes grands-parents au NB, les Canadiens (canayins) était ce qu'on appelle aujourd'hui les Québécois. Paradoxalement Canadiens est maintenant utilisé par désigner les Canadiens-Anglais qui, effectivement, n'aimaient pas se faire appeler Canadien/dian avant la 1ère guerre mondiale.

[@nathanbrisebois8756]

That's actually super interesting. I'm an Ottawa, and hate Montreal with a passion, and I never really thought about the "Habs" nickname. The H in the logo stands for hockey. I knew that Habs derives from Habitants, but never really thought about the fact that English Montreal fans are using a short version of a French word for their team nickname

[@TheNmecod]

@@nathanbrisebois8756effectively used Habs as a slur until the team became cool and now English speakers use it to refer to the team but in French we’ll just say “CH” (club de hockey) or just “les canadiens” because of the historical significance of the nickname “habs” although young people tend to care less and still refer to the team as the Habs even in French

[@Ellyl1]

As a life long Jets fan (both versions), I can add a bit of context to how they got their name. When the WHA set up, there was an exodus of some star talent from the NHL. One was Bobby Hull (who was from my Mom's home town) who had the glorious nickname "The Golden Jet". Between having Hull and coming from Winnipeg were Canada's aviation industry has a major foothold, the name Jets was a natural fit.

[@JustinLearnsThings]

Thanks for this!!

[@kathrynstemler6331]

Go Jets! Go!

[@Rockhound6165]

Fun Fact: Bobby Hull became a member of the WHA due to a joke. When the league approached him to jump leagues he jokingly said that he would if they paid him a million dollars. The league scrambled to come up with the money as all but one team(I believe Chicago for obvious reasons) chipped in about $90K a piece and the rest is history.

[@Actionronnie]

The Jets were a thing before the WHA though. Ben Hatskin was friends with the NY Jets owner, he liked the name so he used it for his WCHL (whl) team in 1967 Today the original Jets are the Lethbridge Hurricanes.

[@jimj4583]

At first, l thought that Kraken was just bizarre. But Seattle has a sizable Scandinavian population. You would know this if you saw a program called Deadliest Catch. A proud seafaring tradition. Great name!🦑

[@JustinLearnsThings]

Yeah can’t agree more! Kraken is a great name for Seattle!

[@rk195731]

Kraken was also mentioned in The Clash of the Titans about Greek mythology.

[@CaptainEnglehorn]

@@rk195731 but the term Kraken is specifically from Scandinavian folklore. Clash of titans just took the name because it sounded cool and also because everybody knew the term after POTC

[@vassa1972]

Hello From downtown Hamilton Ontario Canada Sir I'm Peter Canadian Macedonian myself was born and raised in Toronto and grew up loving the Leafs but I agree with the kraken name

[@wolfgirl1722]

I was really hoping they’d be named the Sockeye after the salmon and thought the Kraken name was kind of dumb until I just now read your comment and that makes so much sense! I actually really like it now!!

[@thestig1611]

This is fantastic 👏. Hardly anyone recognizes the minor league history of the Vancouver Canucks and its great to see it included. Everyone just says they were established in 1970. That minor league team deserves to be recognized.

[@JustinLearnsThings]

Thanks! I’m glad you liked it! I thought it was a pretty interesting history for sure!!

[@jessebrown4947]

@@JustinLearnsThings I can see why but I'm a little disappointed there was no mention of the Vancouver Millionaires/Maroons They won the stanly cup in 1915 and the Vancouver Canucks president and management purchased the rights to logos, jerseys and trademarks of the Vancouver Millionaires in 2010.

[@raymondhopwood9393]

@@jessebrown4947 Or the Montreal Maroons.

[@mikedemenchuk7717]

Hey Justin -- the New England Whalers changed their name to the Hartford Whalers when they joined the NHL, because the Bruins were also in New England, but they moved to Hartford in 1975, four years before the merger. They kept the New England Whalers name until they joined the NHL because in the older league they were sharing New England with the Bruins. That decision had a happy byproduct in one of the best sports logos ever.

[@JustinLearnsThings]

Thank you for the additional information! Appreciate it! 🙌

[@jayvonnoelsmith8445]

True

[@atpyro7920]

A short note on the Stars: "North" was dropped from the North Stars name the season before they moved, likely in preparation for the aforementioned move to California. Also of note is that the Stars and Minnesota Wild, the expansion team founded to replace them, essentially traded AHL farm teams. The Stars had a farm team in Des Moines, the Iowa Stars, and when the Wild entered the league, their farm team was the Houston Aeros, which had been independent prior to the Wild's founding. In 2008 the Iowa Stars were renamed and reaffiliated with the Ducks as the Iowa Chops, until monetary reasons essentially forced the team to shut down. They were then bought by the Texas Stars (the current Dallas Stars' farm team) in 2010 and effectively merged into them. In 2013 the Aeros were moved to Des Moines due to being unable to reach a lease with the Toyota Center in Houston, now playing in the same arena that the Stars did, and renamed the Iowa Wild. It's fascinating the ways in which these two teams are intertwined with each other.

[@brandonjc13]

The Savannah Ghost Pirates, an ECHL team near me, has yet to play their first game, but their name comes from the city's spooky history of haunted houses and lingering spirits, as well as the city's long history of being of naval importance to not only the south but the U.S. as a whole.

[@antonioscalcione7921]

That is such a wicked name

[@oddballskull1941]

All I can think of is Korn on Southpark

[@adaveo8396]

One thing I’m surprised you didn’t mention: There is a very popular misconception that the small ‘H’ in the Canadiens logo stands for ‘Habs’, the team’s official nickname (short for ‘Les Habitânts’). However, it actually just stands for ‘hockey’.

[@JustinLearnsThings]

Yeah I think I might do a video about each logo through the years, so that is good info to know!! Thanks for sharing!

[@coasterhockygamingboy9549]

Really? Bruh

[@PeacefulPariah]

Are you sure?

[@adaveo8396]

@@PeacefulPariah yep. It’s a true fact

[@raran44]

@@coasterhockygamingboy9549 Yes.

[@austinsmith7731]

"The Bruins never chnaged their name and have always remained in Boston" Just how we like it

[@kylemcfarland4764]

We stand Boston strong forever

[@kradz5172]

I've been a hockey fan since I was a wee lad and know most of the stories behind the team names but this goes further in depth. Very informative and very well done.

[@JustinLearnsThings]

Thanks for checking it out!

[@Kune35]

A few notes about the names of the Canadian teams: - Quebec Nordiques is actually pronounced Kay-beck Nor-deeks, although Kweh-beck is also accepted for English speakers. - The Oilers were named for the oil sands, one of Canada's primary sources of oil. - The H in the middle of the Canadiens' logo simply stands for Hockey, but Tex Rickard incorrectly told a reporter it stands for Habitants (French for inhabitant or resident, pronounced Habi-taunts). The nickname Habitants or simply Habs just kind of stuck.

[@shiddyangler]

I too noticed the pronunciation of Nordiques in the video 😂

[@Owen-rl3iy]

I have wondered why they call the Canadiens the Habs for so long!!

[@Rockhound6165]

In all of my years as a hockey fan dating all the way back to the beginnings of the WHA I have never EVER heard the Nordiques name pronounced "Nordics".

[@marc2156]

Referring to the H in the logo as simply meaning hockey is strange. I have seen videos and heard commentary on French coverage of the games clearly stating that the name habitants was part of the longer name of the club prior to modern NHL. The full name in French is: "Le club habitants canadiens de Montréal". Habitant canadien is a reference to French Canadian settlers with habitant meaning settler. "Habs" is an English nickname for the club. Montrealers use the nickname "Le Tricolore" in French meaning the blue red and white colours of the jersey.

[@andrewbilodeau1416]

@@marc2156 You are wrong though. It does stand for hockey and not for habitant. You're even making up stuff on the spot, why perpetuate false information? The full name of the team is "Le club de Hockey Canadien". The C is for Canadien and the H for hockey.

[@djmonaco39]

25:03 Small correction, The Quebec Nordiques is pronounced (Nor-Deeks)

[@JustinLearnsThings]

Ah! Thank you for the correction! 😅 I was struggling to figure out how to make the sounds correctly!

[@GrantThomasAlpaugh]

nor-deeks!

[@295g295]

Also, in Lewiston, Maine, from 1973-77 were the North American Hockey League Maine Nordiques.

[@JesusFriedChrist]

i makes the long e sound que makes the k sound Nordeeks Nordiques de Québec

[@michelmadaire257]

The Real name is Les Nordiques de Quebec wich is today Colorado Avalanche they where sold. Hope they come back one day, this is a Canadian sport Started by Canadians, they are to many American teams, not fair. GO HABS GO.

[@gordieparenteau6555]

Johnny Canuck is basically a Canadian version of Captain America.

[@JesusFriedChrist]

Correct

[@DD-gi6kx]

thats just stupid, why does something in Canada need to be compared to America. Johnny Canuck was created to be derogatory but the targets of that derogatory figure turned that around and embraced it

[@mcthunderstick2374]

@@DD-gi6kx i love how you managed to make that a negative thing. Grow kiddo.

[@chenstormstout9456]

More like the Canadian Paul Bunyan.

[@TheRealCanadianGeek]

Love the videos!!! The only thing i would have loved is that for you to use the original logos of when the teams entered the league.

[@rynetreatch9558]

Would be cool to see some more of the original emblems (North Stars for example). People getting upset about the Hawks’ name hasn’t gotten nearly as big as those other teams in part because the Hawks front office got out in front of it and basically said if you think the name or emblem is bad it’s because you don’t know what you’re talking about. Which is completely true.

[@JustinLearnsThings]

Yeah I'm going to have to do a whole video on just the logos in the future!

[@thebelizeaneh]

I can not cheer for a team that changes it's name because a few white people says it offends Native Americans, when in actuality none of them are offended.

[@kriskater]

@@JustinLearnsThings please do !

[@itscebby8882]

@@thebelizeaneh I don't have a major issue with the Blackhawks' name but to say that nobody of Native American heritage are offended by the names is obviously false.

[@raymondhopwood9393]

@@itscebby8882 They were offended by the names Redskins and Redmen, which was why Washington, St John's, and Miami (Ohio) changed their names to Football Team/Commanders, Red Storm, and Red Birds, respectively. On a similar note, the CFL's Edmonton franchise changed their name from the Eskimos to the Elks.

[@arkyst1]

Your sense of humor is getting better and more unique with each long-form video, keep up the good work! Earned my sub, excited to see what you can do in the future

[@JustinLearnsThings]

Thanks a lot! 🙌

[@danielkrall6501]

I love how the Islanders have the shortest segment. Pretty self explanatory.

[@edchamba6224]

Fisherman jerseys

[@nickjones9304]

To explain the name “Wild” for MN, look to the north east portion of the state where the boundary waters canoe area wilderness sits. Minnesota’s northeast arrowhead is some of the Wildest country in the lower 48.

[@JustinLearnsThings]

Thanks for sharing!!

[@debgibbons6532]

You are correct - the name came from Ely MN . Our business at the time was called Wild Net Internet Access.

[@RepOfAntarctica]

I was going to say, the presenter didn't really explain the name; they just said it beat out other names, which technically is still saying it's how they got their name.

[@cmacdhon]

This is a freaking awesome video. Thanks Justin! Also, Minnesota North Stars was one of the the best team names, in any sport.

[@JustinLearnsThings]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed the video!

[@Steve-bi4ej]

While the current Minnesota team is by far the worst name in all of pro sports 😂

[@choppergunner8650]

​@@Steve-bi4ejagreed. Good team, but what an awful name. North Stars had a better logo and better name.

[@luismoro5720]

The Seattle Metropolitans were the first American Hockey team to win the Stanley Cup (1917).

[@ThePhl4ever]

I think they should have gone with that name. Just as I think the Guardians should have become the Spiders.

[@gavincalto7592]

@@ThePhl4ever didnt think of that youre 100 percent right

[@gavincalto7592]

@@ThePhl4ever indians should have kept there name tho

[@reidboggs4344]

@@ThePhl4ever I honestly would have named them the Cleveland Tribe.

[@blacksunshine1089]

@@ThePhl4ever agreed . Metropolitans sounds much better than Kraken, but the Indians should have kept their name, and told the Karens to pound sand.

[@dylanmv93]

I hope the Blackhawks don’t change their name. It’s pretty awesome.

[@shrimpflea]

Agreed. They could just be the Hawks...Lots of people call them that already. The only problem is that amazing logo. That would be a shame if they had to change it.

[@Yo_Adrienne]

If anything gets changed, it will just be the logo, but not the name. The Portland Winterhawks had a nearly identical logo . They recently changed over to an actual hawk. If Chicago does make the change, I hope it's to the military insignia shown at the start of the segment. Or, they should get whoever designed the Winterhawks' new logo, which is pretty darn good, to create something similar for them.

[@blacksunshine1089]

It’s the best name in sports, and one of the best uniforms. If I were Native American, I’d take pride in it. Unfortunately, zoomers have this pessimistic attitude, and take everything as a slight.

[@cheescakeissin8271]

@@blacksunshine1089the difference with blackhawks and many other teams with natives as their logos is the actual respect behind it, the blackhawks have permission as well as their name being respectful to native culture

[@warmike]

​@@blacksunshine1089the KHL has really great team names. There are way too many examples to give: Admiral from Vladivostok, the main base of Russia's Pacific Fleet, Barys from Astana, named after the snow leopard, Kazakhstan's national animal, and Severstal (translated "North Steel", which is a really badass name) from Cherepovets, a center of metallurgy, and there's more.

[@Jake_Broer]

The Leafs name is actually based on the Maple Leafe regiment, which Smythe was a part of, not just national pride or pride in the crest on his uniform

[@daydreamer8662]

I was going to post that until I saw you say it first. It's a proper name

[@Marshal_Dunnik]

Mostly correct. The maple leaf was the general service badge of the WW1 Canadian Expeditionary Force, of which Conn Smythe was a member, an officer in the 40th Battery, Royal Canadian Artillery (RCA). There is no "Maple Leafe Regiment", but a fair few Canadian Army regiments both then and now incorporate the maple leaf as a symbol (the RCA isn't one of them).

[@heimdal8]

Did any of you guys actually watch the video? It’s explained there.

[@nutrawholesale]

Pretty good summary of a very complicated history. The only thing I would have changed was using the logos that were current during a particular point in a team's history. e.g. the original Minnesota North Stars logo. I get why it wasn't done, you risk losing casual fans by piling on more potentially confusing details.

[@JustinLearnsThings]

Yeah I’m hopefully soon going to make a video focusing on logos specifically!

[@samlemons9851]

Hey! just providing a quick lesson on French pronunciation: “Les” in Les Canadiens de Montréal is pronounced just like you pronounced “De” but with an ‘L’ instead of “Less.” In French we don’t pronounce the ‘S’ at the end. Also, when you pronounced the “De” you actually said “Des” which now makes it seem like there are multiple cities of Montréal. “De” is the equivalent of “The” in English and you pronounce it the same as “The” except just add the ‘D’ sound instead of the ‘Th’ (Not exactly but it’s close enough). Really well made video! “L’Etoile du Nord” was rather well too! Sorry if this came off as being me being a dick, just my French-Canadian side wanted to help out. Have a good one!

[@JustinLearnsThings]

Haha no I appreciate it! Thank you for this and thank you for checking out the video! 🙌

[@MasterBruce1984]

Also, for what it's worth, it is pronounced Nordiques (Nor-Deeks). Very well researched video. Informative.

[@grolarqc]

@@MasterBruce1984 Actually, it's really pronounced Nordzick.

[@waynebrady1819]

And I always thought my French was pretty good because I'm married to a French-speaking woman, my brother-in-law is a Parisian, my sister lives in the French-speaking part of Switzerland, I had the language in school (French is the second most important official language in Switzerland) and I've traveled to pretty much every French-speaking country in Europe (Belgium, Italy, France, Luxembourg, Monaco) including one North African. But my opinion changed on this subject when I visited Quebec. I don't know what you have done with this language but I don't understand a word. 🤣

[@ElderStatesman]

I was about to say... The way the host pronounced the name was like listening to nails on a chalkboard... 😬 Great summarization of the origins of the teams, though.

[@jfeldman425]

Red wings are also linked to the red winged blackbird often found in marshes in Michigan

[@TSNAnnotator]

Funnily enough, the NHL team wasn't the first team in Toronto to use the "Maple Leafs". That was used by a minor league baseball team that dated back to about 1896

[@tamaraine3169]

Montreal influenced the sport so much, even the redwings name is tied to the city cultural dominance over hockey

[@TylrVncnt]

What

[@michaelloud5206]

You did a hell of a job researching this. A lot of work. Great job.

[@JustinLearnsThings]

Thanks for checking it out I'm glad you enjoyed!

[@Froggy_Quest_Frr]

Ong can't imagine how long this took great vid

[@gordieparenteau6555]

Before the current New Jersey Devils, there was a previous team called the Jersey Devils, who played in the Eastern Hockey League in the 1960's and 70's. They played in Cherry Hill, NJ (a suburb of Philadelphia) and for a time were the Flyers minor league affiliate. Even their colours were similar to the current team.

[@theblueoctopus4494]

Jersey Devils sounds cooler than New Jersey Devils. Plus it's the proper name of the monster.

[@longwindingroad]

​@@theblueoctopus4494 yes it is a better name. Since they moved and became NHL this a new team. This why they had to add New to it. New Jersey Devil's ( Old Jersey Devil's)

[@mah6183]

Exactly

[@Rockhound6165]

The Devils had folded and shortly thereafter the NY Golden Blades moved to that awful arena and were renamed the Jersey Knights and played out the remainder of the 1973-74 WHA season. They got zero support from South Jersey mainly because their games were on NY TV and radio only not to mention they were in competition with the soon to be Stanley Cup champion Flyers.

[@Matt-nq1zq]

your production is so satisfying and I commend your writing. earned a new sub

[@JustinLearnsThings]

Thanks a lot! I really appreciate the feedback!

[@wanextoo]

Thanks for making this video. I'm a new hockey fan and this has helped me to appreciate the NHL even more!

[@JustinLearnsThings]

Of course! Thanks for watching! Really glad you enjoyed it and found it helpful!

[@jeffburnham6611]

I remember when they moved the Mn North Stars, and how much of an outrage the fans and residents of Mn were at this decision. A lot of people began calling Norm Green, "Norm Greed".

[@JustinLearnsThings]

I don't blame them! It'd be tough to lose a sports team!

[@raymondhopwood9393]

@@JustinLearnsThings How about Atlanta? We lost TWO teams!

[@choppergunner8650]

Not to mention that the Minnesota North Stars had one of the best color schemes with the green, yellow and white. The addition of black in the late 1980s just made it look even better. And the full black with green uniform of the 1991-1993 era was just killer. Goddammit, why did the MNS, Quebec Nordiques and Hartford Whalers have such boss uniforms? They looked fucking amazing...

[@chrisbillings3419]

@@choppergunner8650what it sounds like is if you have a good jersey your not gonna last in this league 😂

[@chrisbillings3419]

@@choppergunner8650the seals jerseys were pretty nice too

[@boisvert45]

I agree Philadelphia Flyers does sound great

[@JustinLearnsThings]

There’s just so many “F-L” sounds in both parts of the name! Sounds great!

[@DrLeroyArch]

I was at one time suggested that it be spelled "Phlyers" but that was rejected. "Flyers" was preferred by their first manager Bud Poile because he had coached the Edmonton Flyers in the old WHL.

[@vuchaser99]

Another lore to the Blue Jackets was in honor of the Shawnee chief Blue Jacket an predecessor to Tecumseh. Both are revered in Ohio History. So similar to Chicago naming their team after important people of native heritage

[@robertseymour9023]

I was just about to come here to make the same comment. I would say that naming the Blue Jackets after Weyapiersenwah is much more likely than the civil war story.

[@schifflein9103]

@@robertseymour9023 Idk bout that after all we have a civil war era cannon

[@jackoats4911]

Incredible video, and probably the best "heres my other video explaining this" set of plugs of ive ever seen. Masterclass on entertaining informational videos

[@JustinLearnsThings]

Well thanks for watching! I’m glad you enjoyed it!

[@darrellludlow]

Wonderful videos and so well produced! Top notch voice narration and editing!

[@JustinLearnsThings]

Thank you very much that's very kind!

[@bigbill003]

Great video! I learned a lot. One bit of feedback, the original logos would have been nice to see (ie Stars be North Stars).

[@JustinLearnsThings]

Yup definitely! I'll be doing a follow up video about the logo designs in the future!

[@philsidock]

What a fantastic video: great job! I've read a few books on NHL history, but this video makes everything coherent and interesting. 👌

[@JustinLearnsThings]

Wow thanks so much! Glad you enjoyed it! Hope to have one on logos for next season!

[@Xpun-oi2zz]

As an avid NHL fan. This video was an awesome find. Thanks, man. Keep up the great work. You just got another subscriber.

[@JustinLearnsThings]

Thanks so much! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@bradysim8617]

Whalers moved to Hartford in '74, long before the NHL/WHA merger. Just a heads up. Bruins only forced the name change from 'New England Whalers' to 'Hartford Whalers' since the Bruins didn't want a rival team claiming all of New England.

[@robmclaren664]

To add on this, they started in Houston TX. As the Houston Areos, Gordie Howe came out of retirement to play with his 2 son's in Houston. That's why Gordie was playing for the Whalers when they moved to Hartford

[@johnnyviking8152]

@@robmclaren664 that's crazy, I like when they throw back old names like when the the Houston Aeros came back the AHL

[@outbackigloo6489]

@@robmclaren664 - ​No, the Houston Aeros were an original WHA team, distinct from the New England Whalers. Gordie Howe started playing for the Aeros in the “73-74 season, along with his sons, Mark and Marty. They were traded to the Whalers shortly before the Aeros folded; this would have been around 1978. The Aeros were among the best WHA teams while they lasted, along with the Winnipeg Jets and the Québec Nordiques (pronounced “nor-DEEKS”.) It’s a shame they folded.

[@skeletor9121]

@@outbackigloo6489 You’re correct. I remember going to the Summit and watching Howe and his sons play for the Aeros. They had a very good team while they lasted. And you are also correct in the correct pronunciation of Nordeeks.

[@anthonyriche552]

@@outbackigloo6489 Very true. The Aeros were a force and the Howes moved onto the Whalers. I'm an Islanders fan but I used to get Whaler's games on cable for some reason so I had a certain fondness for them. There are still many Whaler fans who want the team to come back. And it's too bad for the Nordiques. At least Winnipeg got its team back (though not quite the same).

[@BensBrickDesigns]

This was a great watch, thank you for putting it together. It's funny how early on the teams were "whatever that one guy wanted" and later was "as chosen by a committee after polling fans." ^__^

[@JustinLearnsThings]

Yeah it's funny how things kind of get named in similar ways over time!

[@duncanmathers76]

This was the most entertaining video I've seen in weeks. Thank you! 👏

[@JustinLearnsThings]

Thanks for quite the compliment! 🙌 Glad you enjoyed it!

[@toddsullivan6962]

A neat thing Calgary has done is for the assistant Captains they used the Atlanta Flames emblem instead of just an 'A'. Not on every version of their jersey but at one of them.

[@JustinLearnsThings]

That's a cool idea!

[@dougfarrell208]

WOW.. That’s really original. Hey Calgary, how do you spell dynasty… ONE!! Ha Ha Ha..

[@xergaming5105]

Fun fact: with the Colorado avalanche, the name outlaws late became the outdoor lacrosse team.

[@JustinLearnsThings]

Thanks for sharing!

[@dabadguy7882]

Hey Justin, this was very informative - thank you for a great video!

[@JustinLearnsThings]

Thanks so much! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@jeffthewhiff]

This is a cool video on the history of NHL team names and very well-done!

[@JustinLearnsThings]

Thanks so much for checking it out! Glad you liked it! This was actually the one I had to do the most work researching because I’ve never watched a lot of hockey, but it was really interesting learning the history of the league!!

[@jeffthewhiff]

@@JustinLearnsThings Justin, thanks for your reply to my post recently. Hockey just happens to be one of my favorite sports and all of your facts about the team names were accurate and I also liked how you presented the information on the use of graphics in the video!

[@troybaxter]

Something worth pointing out about the Hurricanes is that their colors are Red and Black because of NC State and how they share an arena with the NC State Wolfpack basketball team. Now, unlike the Coyotes, this arena sharing has worked out really well for both the Canes and the Wolfpack. Also, this color scheme helps with the upcoming Stadium Series game since they will be playing at nearby Carter-Finley Stadium, which hosts State’s football team.

[@JustinLearnsThings]

Interesting, I didn’t know that! Thanks for sharing!

[@klompsauce]

Near by? They share the parking lot, it is a decent barn for both hockey and basketball, wildly different from ASU 4K seater

[@skyborne80]

I always loved the name Minnesota North Stars. It just seemed to roll off the tongue. "Dallas North Stars" sounds far more clunky, so I think it was a good decision to shorten it.

[@JustinLearnsThings]

Yeah north stars is an awesome name!

[@pi-sx3mb]

I grew up on Long Island, and there was initial umbrage to the choice of name "NY Islanders". With strong regional support for hockey and a burgeoning population on the island, people wanted a distinct identity separate from the Rangers (for whom they'd been rooting with limited success since 1940). With the recent disbanding of the EHL and the demise of the MUCH beloved Long Island Ducks minor league franchise (which was briefly and unremarkably replaced by the L.I. Cougars), "Long Island Ducks" was the overwhelmingly favorite pick for the new team name. The Islanders' first season was abysmal only winning 12 games, but people didn't care. They loved and embraced the new team in much the same spirit as they supported the hapless NY Mets in their first season (because who in their ordinary life, can identity with the Yankees who never lost?). The Islanders became an instant local favorite with disdain for the Rangers, the same way people in Queens and Long Island loved the inferior Mets and hated the Yankees. In true NY sarcastic fashion, whenever the Islanders started to make it a close 1-goal deficit during a game, the Nassau Coliseum would go nuts chanting "LET'S GO METS! LET'S GO METS!" Fun facts - the movie "Slapshot" was basically a Hollywood take on the L.I. Ducks whose games were incredibly raucous. The Commack Arena was a small concrete structure that literally shook with fan noise. Before plexiglass was a thing, all that separated the fans from the players were the boards, and I saw fans toss beers on opposing team players and even one game when the other team climbed over the boards up the concrete steps to fight some fans. That can't be good for a skate blade... The team Captain John Brophy got suspended for a season for slugging a Referee. Also, the team name "Ducks" was due to the large number of duck farms on the Eastern portion of Long Island back in the day which supplied all the Peking duck meat for the huge number of NY Chinese restaurants.

[@JustinLearnsThings]

The more I hear about the New York ducks, the more stories are there! Seems like a really interesting time!! Thanks for the thoughtful comment!

[@kotaowens6978]

Thank you for doing all these! Very educational

[@JustinLearnsThings]

Thank you for checking them all out!! 🙌

[@jj22ftw]

i love all these how it was named videos, very interesting and cool!

[@JustinLearnsThings]

Thanks so much for checking them out! Really glad you are enjoying them!

[@user-hw4eh2xb6b]

Extremely interesting & well done as well . Thank you 🙏🏼

[@JustinLearnsThings]

Thank you, glad you enjoyed it!

[@mbearlover]

As someone from Montréal I do protest, why is the Leafs segment longer than the Habs? :🤣 Love the vidéo!

[@whippin1335]

Really well done video. Good work!

[@JustinLearnsThings]

Thanks for checking it out!

[@dagoose4373]

Your pronunciation of “L’étoile du nord” was surprisingly accurate

[@JustinLearnsThings]

Hahaha thanks 😅 I was definitely nervous to take a stab at it!

[@lp-xl9ld]

But not the name of Quebec City's team. It's "nor-DEEKS".

[@jermulaattori2259]

I love this, thank you for the analytic and etymological insight!

[@JustinLearnsThings]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching!

[@kenbody4370]

I’ve been driving the Zamboni since I was 16 . I started skating at 12 . I was fortunate enough to work at 6 different rinks over my lifetime. And got to resurface the ice for the San Jose Sharks. When they came to the rink I worked at in sparks Nevada for a two week summer camp. And got to resurface the ice for the Montreal Canadians when they came to the rink I worked at in Costa Mesa in Southern California. To practice before playing the LA Kings . Still have my Autograph hockey stick of Bobby Orr . Best sport in the world. I miss driving the zamboni and Goaltending.

[@MewCast1]

Got to love hearing both team that left MN in the same video only second apart.

[@cdw1523]

The backstory is not quite right about the Edmonton Oilers... the junior team was named (and still is) the Oil Kings. Since the LA Kings were already in the league, they modified their name slightly from Oil Kings to just Oilers.

[@grahamdamberger7130]

The Oilers' name had nothing to do with the LA Kings or the Oil Kings. In 1972, then owner of the Alberta Oilers, Bill Hunter, had a sponsorship deal with Gulf Canada. Being Gulf Canada was an oil company, he named his team the Oilers. The colours for Gulf Canada were orange, blue and white, hence the Oilers' colours of orange, blue and white. At the last minute, Gulf Canada pulled out of the sponsorship deal. However, the team kept the name and the colours.

[@theblueoctopus4494]

@@grahamdamberger7130 They were named after the Oil Kings. When the WHA had their initial general player draft in early 1972, the team was listed as "Edmonton Oil Kings".

[@GoodGameJames]

No you’re both wrong! The Oiler’s name comes from the original owner having oiled his hair every day, religiously. After slipping on his bathroom floor, courtesy of some spilled oil meant for for his head, he decided that Oilers would be a good name since ice is also slippery.

[@yorkmartin8569]

@@GoodGameJames finally! The truth!

[@EmitRelevart]

Wow... I wasn't expecting it to be this in-depth and detailed. The video's title certainly doesn't do it justice.

[@JustinLearnsThings]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@SnakeAteMyDog]

Wicked vid! Definitely going to watch the other videos to learn about of professional league teams’ origins

[@JustinLearnsThings]

Welcome aboard! Thanks for watching!

[@bradholmes4]

Fun fact Lake County Colorado is the second highest avalanche danger zone in the nation behind one in Alaska. Colorado being so sunny creates conditions where avalanches can occur frequently due to inconsistency in snow layers between storms

[@JustinLearnsThings]

Oh wow! I didn’t realize that!

[@joepiazza3756]

One thing missed about the Sabres. The name was spelled the Canadian way because they figured to make their Canadian fans happy.

[@mcthunderstick2374]

Canada’s sport!

[@elGeant24]

It's also the French way (don't let them know ;)

[@jogendron6320]

And also why they always sing both anthems.

[@alecnewman6052]

lovely nod to The Office while covering the Sabres. came just to find out where my favorite team's name came from, great video!

[@JustinLearnsThings]

Haha thanks! Glad you enjoyed that!!

[@alecnewman6052]

@@JustinLearnsThingssubbing :) i hope your day kicks ass

[@xyphor317]

I am a new hockey enjoyer, and I found this very interesting. Great work.

[@davepatton7932]

Glad you mentioned my favorite hockey team the New York Rangers

[@hommie789]

The Seattle Kraken make the NHL have 4 teams that don't end in "S" the other three are Colorado Avalanche, The Tampa Bay Lightning and the Minnesota Wild.

[@JustinLearnsThings]

I feel like that could be an interesting video itself! Teams that don’t end in an S!

[@daydreamer8662]

@@JustinLearnsThings Red Sox, White Sox, Jazz, Heat, Thunder, Magic, and Washington Football Club 😜

[@djohns9295]

Great video This blew my mind!

[@noelfisher1829]

Super informative, thank you so much! Gratitude

[@JustinLearnsThings]

Thanks for checking out the video! 🙌

[@joelbyers7937]

The Blackhawks released a statement last year in very short saying that the team name will never ever change.

[@Rockhound6165]

Good. Screw the snowflakes.

[@blacksunshine1089]

Hopefully, they stick to it. It’s the best name in sports. Screw the Karens!!

[@MrArcheopteryx]

Wow Justin, you did a commendable job here! Thanks a lot. It was a lot of fun to watch. I am an old man who played thousands of games in the street and on ice in Quebec. Your historical account is like a gift to me, and to all those who love the game. Cheers!

[@JustinLearnsThings]

Thank you, that’s really kind! Glad you enjoyed it!!

[@haweater1555]

The four WHA teams that merged into the NHL were also the only WHA teams that were all established as original in 1972 and stayed stable in their city the whole time. Teams that didn't make it either folded, had a late start, or moved cities and changed names, even in mid-season. Today, the Edmonton Oilers is the only ex-WHA still in the same city.

[@jackpethybridge160]

The book Fabric of the Game gives extensive detail on naming of the teams.

[@JustinLearnsThings]

I’ll have to check that out! I bet that’s a fantastic resource!

[@ckay2615]

I've been a hockey fan since the 1980's and I already knew most of this. I wish you would have showed the original team logos but I still thoroughly enjoyed it anyways because you went into so much depth. Thank you for taking the time to make this video. Go Av's!

[@JustinLearnsThings]

Thanks for checking it out! Yeah I'm going to do a whole other video on the logos sometime in the future!

[@AJEDDY97]

"There has been controversy around the Chicago Blackhawks name" Well... Could've dropped that last word. 😂😂 Edit: Also, fuck the Blackhawks, and I hope Connor Bedard pulls a Lindros and refuses to play there.

[@grahamdamberger7130]

Blackhawk was not the name of a tribe. It was the name of a chief. Although they could have put a space between the K and the H, and made it Black Hawks, like what Portland of the WHL did.

[@AJEDDY97]

@@grahamdamberger7130 okay, but I didn't say anything about the name. All I said was that the organization is controversial. 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@grahamdamberger7130]

@@AJEDDY97 The controversy starts with the Wirtz family. They should sell the team to a different family. The Blackhawks' legacy will continue to be tainted as long as the Wirtz family owns the franchise.

[@JesusFriedChrist]

@@grahamdamberger7130 Why?

[@shrimpflea]

Worst case senario just change it to the Hawks. Many people use that anyway.

[@chrisphillips348]

Great research, my dude!!

[@JustinLearnsThings]

Thanks some things are harder to nail down more than hearsay or “common knowledge” and so it gets nebulous really quickly!

[@orbyfan]

I understand that thee selection of the name for the Philadelphia team had more than a little to do with the fact that general manager Bud Poile had been head coach of the Edmonton Flyers of the Western Hockey League from 1952-62. The Jets took their name from the junior Winnipeg Jets of the Western Canada Hockey League. The Quebec team's name is properly pronounced "nor-deeks."

[@ejcash7234]

Quite a good explanation of the origins of the Original Six!

[@JustinLearnsThings]

Thank you! I knew very little about hockey historically, so it was quite literally Justin Learning a lot of things! 😅

[@dogwithheadphones]

I’m a Bruins fan and I still didn’t know that fact about the original color scheme being inspired by Charles Adam’s grocery store chain

[@JustinLearnsThings]

thanks for watching!

[@byronstephen2044]

Very Well Done , and now we've got the Battelle of Alberta the first time since '91 . Go Flames Go !

[@erickolly5810]

Super interesting, Learned a lot, thank you

[@stephendacey8761]

Great job. I expected a ho-hum boring video, and got the opposite. You made the video funny and very informative. I don't think anybody could do better.

[@justinwilliams8281]

Fun fact: The Manitoba Moose are currently the Winnipeg Jets’ American Hockey League developmental team.

[@JustinLearnsThings]

The Manitoba moose is a great name! Love it!

[@shayanzahra6454]

Wow! Very well narrated and explained 👏

[@JustinLearnsThings]

Thanks for watching! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@peterg.ryanjr.4821]

Great video, thanks for all the info!

[@JustinLearnsThings]

Thanks for watching!

[@kylemurray3526]

Raleigh is pronounced RAW-LEE (I’m from here and it’s nit-picky but that’s how we say it here despite it said differently elsewhere) Also, Hurricanes was apt for a name since Hurricane Fran had just hit the year before and it was one of the strongest in the state’s recent history. Another fun fact: When making NHL 98, the mascot for the Hurricanes isn’t said at any point. The announcer just says “Your Home Town: Carolina.” They hadn’t chosen the name when the game was being produced. Great video!

[@JustinLearnsThings]

Totally get it! There's so many of those place names that get mispronounced you sometimes don't even know you're doing it! I feel like I hear Nevada mispronounced a lot or Arkansas lol Oh nice! I love that NHL trivia tid bit! Thanks for sharing!

[@troybaxter]

It’s not just how we say it, but how it is SUPPOSED to be said, since it is named after Sir Walter Raleigh. Also, playful jab, but Durham > Raleigh.

[@lylehalcro5256]

Good stuff, but little note...The Oakland Seals was the original team that entered the NHL in 1967. They then changed to California later in an attempt to widen their fan base and be more inclusive to the folks across the bay in San Francisco. You had it reversed.

[@TylrVncnt]

But then it was changed back, no? And then changed again and again and again haha

[@sergejmakowski]

Such a great video! Thx mate!

[@JustinLearnsThings]

Thanks for checking it out! Glad you liked it!

[@DougJacobson2]

well researched and presented! thanks!

[@JustinLearnsThings]

Thanks for checking it out!

[@Compucles]

I miss the old name and logo of the Ducks. Not only was there a live action movie with that name and logo, there was also a pretty good cartoon (with anthropomorphic hockey playing space alien ducks) that used them as well. I actually thought for many years that the movie was named after the hockey team (like with the 90s version of "Angels in the Outfield') rather than the other way around

[@JustinLearnsThings]

Yeah same! 😂 Mighty Ducks with the Disney logo was awesome!

[@mightymatt01]

The new name and logo just isn't the same. I miss the "real" name and logo

[@punklover99]

Throwback jerseys

[@raymondhopwood9393]

@@mightymatt01 Blame the people who bought the team from Disney!

[@gidzmobug2323]

​@@raymondhopwood9393Disney has the copyright on the Mighty Ducks name, so the new owners didn't have much choice.

[@jeffkelly3345]

Great video. Kind of miss the old L.A KIngs colours and didn't like it when the "North Stars" were moved. I always assumed Penquins was also a play on words, taking the "Pen" from 'Pennsylvania".

[@herbertpetrillo485]

agree.the Kings old uniforms and colors were much nicer.when gretzgy came they ruined their unis