Frequently asked questions

What is National Hockey League?

National Hockey League is a A top-tier professional ice hockey league. based in USA/Canada. NHL

How many teams play in National Hockey League?

We currently track 32 teams in National Hockey League. Browse the full team list on this page and follow individual teams for updates.

What level of hockey is National Hockey League?

National Hockey League is classified as a professional league in the RinkStop directory. Professional leagues operate at the highest competitive level in their country or region. Players are paid salaries by team ownership and game outcomes affect team standings, playoff qualification, and in some leagues promotion or relegation. These leagues typically have multiple divisions or conferences, a long regular season, and postseason playoffs leading to a championship. Many professional leagues also operate reserve or farm systems that develop players between junior and senior ranks.

How can I follow National Hockey League games and results?

The official National Hockey League site is the best source for schedules, scores, and standings: https://nhl.com. RinkStop also publishes highlights and news for National Hockey League when available — see the "Latest Highlights" section on this page.

Where does National Hockey League operate?

National Hockey League is a USA/Canada-based league and is part of the broader hockey structure in USA/Canada. Transatlantic or USA-Canada competitions. This entry is for leagues and tournaments whose primary footprint spans both the United States and Canada — for example, the NHL and the now-defunct World Hockey Association.

How do I get involved with National Hockey League?

The most direct routes into National Hockey League are: (1) try out for one of the 32 teams listed in RinkStop, (2) reach out to the league office if listed, or (3) start in a local amateur or youth league and progress to National Hockey League level through tryouts. Use our hockey cost calculator for typical season costs by level.

How current is the data on this page?

League data on RinkStop is updated as teams, schedules, and rosters change. The "Last updated" line on this page shows when our record for National Hockey League was last refreshed. We also tag data with a source where one is available.