NHL North America

World Hockey Leagues

The Major Ice Hockey League systems around the World are the National Hockey League system (North America) which includes the American Hockey League, and has affiliates in the Elite Ice Hockey League and Australian Ice Hockey League (Commonwealth of Nations); Canadian Hockey League (Western Hockey League, Ontario Hockey League and Quebec Major Junior Hockey League); Champions Hockey League (European Union Area); Kontinental Hockey League (Russia and Commonwealth of Independent States Area).

NHL National Hockey League

The National Hockey League was founded in Canada in 1917, and now has teams throughout Canada & USA. The World Hockey Association was a Major League rival to the NHL in the 1970s and merged with the NHL in 1979.