The Original Six: Part One
The history of the NHL spans four eras:
Founding Era: 1917-1942
Original Six: 1942-1967
Expansion Era: 1967-1992
Modern Era: 1992 - present
In 1942, the New York Americans (the renamed Brooklyn Americans) suspend operations citing financial difficulty and a lack of players due to the war effort. With the elimination of this seventh team, the Original Six teams were left to enter a new era. The Original Six are:
Montreal Canadiens
Toronto Maple Leafs
Boston Bruins
Detroit Red Wings
Chicago Blackhawks
New York Rangers
From 1942-1967, the only team to not win a Stanley cup is the New York Rangers. The Chicago Blackhawks won once in 1960.
The Original Six era lasted 25 years, dominated by the dynasties of the Toronto Maple Leafs and Montreal Canadiens. Together they won 19 Stanley cup titles. The Canadiens won 10 times, including five consecutive titles between 1956 and 1960 while the Maple Leafs won 9 times.
The Original Six era ended with the 1967 season and a Stanley cup final between the two-time defending champion Canadiens and the Maple Leafs. The third place Leafs were the oldest roster that year and were led in goal by 37 year old Terry Sawchuck and 42 year old Johnny Bower. The Toronto team known as the “over the hill gang” became the oldest roster to win the Stanley Cup, defeating the favoured Canadiens in 6 games.
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