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The NHL is formed
A man named Eddie Livingstone would go on to found the NHL after suspending the NHA to form what is now know as the National Hockey League. He wasn't only an owner of the Toronto Blue shirts in his time in the NHA. Once the league started, four other teams in the National Hockey Association were brought to the NHL. -
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The Leagues History
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Rule 56 comes to the league
Violence became a crucial part of the game. If something happened in the game, it was typically resolved in a fight. Instead of ejecting players for fighting, this rule came to be so they could play and still fight. They would serve major and minor penalties. -
The Marty Mcscorley incident
Playing against the Vancover Canucks. With only 4.6 seconds left in the game. Marty Mcsorely was skating behind Donald Breshear of the Canucks trying to engage into a fight with him. He ended up swinging his stick into Breshear's head causing him to fall on his back and his head to hit the ice. Breshear suffered a concussion while Mcsorely would be suspended for the rest of the regular and post season. He was also issued 18 months of probation after being found guilty of assault. -
The Todd Bertuzzi Incident
Midway through the third period in a regular season game. Vancover canucks player, Todd Bertuzzi started to follow opposing player Steve Moore around the ice. Unable to provoke him into a fight, Bertuzzi grabbed him by the back of the jersey. He went on to punch Moore in the jaw and tacked him causing his head to slam into the ice. Bertuzzi would earn a 17 month suspension as well as one year on probation. He was also issued a minimum of 80 hours, community service as part of his punishment. -
Tragedy Strikes
In 2011, the National Hockey League faced tragedy. It was an incredibly resilient time as three enforcers; Derek Boogard, Rick Rypien, and Wade Belak had passed away due to various reasons. With Boogard being the first player to pass away from an overdose on May 13, it became a shock for people to come upon. Not even 4 months later, Rick Rypien would pass away on August 15 due to apparent suicide. Then just 16 days later, Wade Belak was found dead in his home due to unknown causes. -
Player Safety starts to change the game
Former professional hockey player, executive and president of the Toronto Maple Leafs Brendan Shanahan stepped in as the director of Player Safety for the National Hockey League. He became criticized quickly. This was because Hockey was becoming less of a contact sport as it was in the past. players had to straighten up the way they played. This was because suspensions and fines became more consistent.