If You Can't Score 100% On This Original 6 Quiz, Stop Watching Hockey
Any fan of the NHL should know who the Original Six are. You should also know that they were not, despite their name, the first six teams in the NHL. Hockey has a much more convoluted history. If you're introducing your youngster to hockey this 2017-2018 season you might want to introduce them to the great legacy of the Original Six (given that some of these powerhouse teams aren't faring so well in the regular season; currently none are leading their respective divisions).
Especially if your kid is interested in playing hockey, they can learn a thing or two from legends of past days and gain inspiration from their style of play. Even the Great One Wayne Gretzky attributes his love for the sport to hockey legends like Gordie Howe or Bobby Hull, both members of Original Six teams. It used to be that Original Six teams had a shortcut pass to the Stanley Cup just because it is difficult for any expansion franchises to make the playoffs.
However the past 25 seasons or so has seen the maturing of new dynasties. Fresh rosters and smart strategies have made these young teams strong contenders for the Stanley Cup. But how well do you know the Original Six?
When's the last time the Toronto Maple Leafs won a Stanley Cup?
You can only find a modern image like this in video games. The Toronto Maple Leafs are currently undergoing the longest drought between championships in the NHL. New coach Mike Babcock, hired in 2015, is hoping to turn this Leafs trend around. His has the most expensive NHL coach contract ever, but a lot of sports analysts are hopeful that the franchise is throwing its money in the right direction. Many speculate Babcock is trying to keep the Leafs on their toes, just like with his 2010 Olympic Team.
Which Original Six team did Steve Yzerman captain for two decades?
By both games and years, Steve Yzerman has captained the longest for this team than any other in NHL history with 20 years and 1,303 games under his belt. Under him this team won three Stanley Cup championships in 1997, 1998, and 2002. Of course, this set him up to be a coach after he retired as a player in 2006. Though despite his long record, Yzerman did not make it on Sportsnet's list of 10 best captains in NHL history.
Which team left the NHL in 1942 to form the Original Six?
For 25 seasons after this team dropped out the National Hockey League consisted only of the Original Six. Both WW2 and the Great Depression slowed attendance and attention paid to the NHL. During this time the Stanley Cup became the official championship trophy of the NHL. In 1967 the NHL added six teams, making this expansion the largest in professional sports history. The Original Six are still around but some haven't managed to keep apace with the since with the new competition.
Which 1970's Bruins player notoriously scored on rebounds?
This Canadian centre played for three American teams in the Original Six. He later helped to cofound the Tampa Bay Lightning. At his time at the Bruins he became the first player to score 100 points in a season and led the League in goals for six straight seasons from 1969-170 to 1974-75. He led the team to Stanley Cup victories in 1970 and 1972 with defenseman Bobby Orr. He has represented Canada internationally in the World Championships and the Canada Cup.
Who did the New York Rangers win the Stanley Cup over in 1994?
Unfortunately 1994 was the last time this Original Six team qualified to the Stanley Cup finals. It also ended their 54 year championship drought. Led by captain Mark Messier, the Rangers won out against this team in seven games. The Rangers had an edge because seven of their players, including Messier, were from the 1990 Oilers, and so had Finals experience. The Rangers also had an over 20 point regular season lead. It was the opposing teams second time to the Finals.
Who has won the least amount of Stanley Cups in the Original Six?
When competing for the Stanley Cup the 1950's brought in a wave of dynasties, when the Original Six teams would make it to the championships year after year. That era is gone, but the Montreal Canadiens still dominate in the amount of Stanley Cup wins because the record counts from 1916 forward, when they were dominating before the NHL. In 1967 when the NHL expanded and let in new franchises, the Original Six had to compete against rookie teams for the Cup. Some have not fared well in their old age.
Who remains singularly most associated with the Maple Leaf's demise?
Like the Montreal Canadiens, the Toronto Maple Leafs were dominant in the early era of the Stanley Cup and throughout the 1960's. The last time the Maple Leafs saw the inside of the Stanley Cup championship round was, 1967 the year of league expansion. Corruption amongst the owners broke out in the 1970's and one of them was sent to jail for fraud. This owner did not take the World Hockey Association seriously and began to lose players to it.
Who has the most penalty minutes in Black Hawks history?
This American defenseman played for three of the Original Six teams starting at the Montreal Canadiens. He holds the record for most games played ever by an NHL defenseman. So to be fair, this player had a relatively long active run to stack up the penalty minutes, which in ESPN's estimation, add up to 2,891 minutes. This player has also had 3 Gordie Howe hat tricks, when you have one goal, one assist, and one fight all in the same game.
How long did Gordie Howe play for the Detroit Red Wings?
Howe made his NHL debut in 1946 with the Red Wings. During his time at this franchise he won the Art Ross Trophy for leading the league in scoring six times, the second most in NHL history. He won the Stanley Cup with the Red Wings four times. He retired and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame the year following. Two years after this he joined his sons on the Houston Aeros of the WHA and scored 100 points twice in six seasons despite his age.
Who has the most assists in the Hab's club history?
This right winger was known as "Le Démon Blond" to franco Canadiens fans and "the Flower" to anglo ones. Farmed in through the Quebec Remparts, this player developed a smooth skating style and helped the team to five Stanley Cup championships. He had a car accident in 1981 and only scored 27 goals the following season due to his health. In the 1984-85 season this player clashed with the new coach Jacques Lemaire who insisted he adapt to a more defensive style. This player refused and decided to retire early.
When's the last time two Original Six teams played against each other?
Even after 1967 when the NHL invited in six other professional franchises the Original Six often found themselves stacked against each other in the Stanley Cup playoffs. This chain of dynasties eventually broke in the 1970's and now the Original Six only meet occasionally in the Stanley Cup Final. This is the seventh time the Boston Bruins and Chicago Black Hawks have met in the playoff series. The Bruins had won five of the last meetings. The Black Hawks won this time 4-2.
Who has captained the most Boston Bruin's seasons?
This Canadian defenseman was named to the end of season All-Star team 19 times. His name became synonymous with this American team because he captained for fifteen seasons. As a de facto team leader, he served as a go-between for the referee and his teammates and lead the Bruins to two Stanley Cup finals, once in 1988 and once in 1990. He played for the Bruins for 21 seasons and both this franchise and Colorado Avalanche have retired his jersey number, 77.
What skating unit was a part of the Detroit Red Wings lineup in the 1990's?
This skating unit was known also as the Red Army and "The Wizards of Ov," and skated for the Detroit Red Wings in the 1990's. They all emulated styles that had made their home country so successful on the Olympic stage. This group was especially effective when playing together, but through a tragic car accident one of the group's defensemen died after a Stanley Cup win in 1997. Despite this, the remaining four pulled together helped the Red Wings win in 1998 for a second consecutive Stanley Cup.
Who has led more than one Original Six team to the Stanley Cup?
This Quebecois coach has won nine Stanley Cup titles with three different teams. He coached the Habs to five Stanley Cups in the 1970's, one with the Penguins and most recently three with the Red Wings, breaking a championship drought of 29 years for Detroit. This coach won the Jack Adam's Award in 1977 and 1996 for most impactful coach. He retired in 2002 and currently heads Hockey Operations in the Black Hawk organization office. Just this year he received an Order of Hockey in Canada award.
Where did the Habs used to play?
This arena is facing Cabot Square in Montreal and was built in 159 days to open in 1924. Called "the most storied building in ice hockey history," this building held 24 Stanley Cup Championships total for the Canadiens and the older Montreal team, the Maroons. Throughout that time only two visiting teams have won the Cup on this arena's ice. Though this arena was gutted and repurposed in 1996 as an entertainment centre, historical memorabilia remains to Canadiens of their home of 70 years.
Which was the last Original Six team to win a Stanley Cup title?
This Original Six team won a Stanley Cup title in 2015 before the current reign of Sullivan's Penguins. They played against the Tampa Bay Lightning in the latter's first appearance the Final round since winning in 2004. This Original Six team won in six games captained by Johnathan Toews. It was this team's third time back in the Final in six years. Tyler Johnson of the Lightning and Patrick Kane of this team lead the playoff rounds in points with 23 each.
Who was the Bruin's starting goaltender in the 2009-2010 season?
This Finnish goaltender was drafted first for the Toronto Maple Leaves in 2005 but he was traded to the Bruins in what was one of the worst deals of the Maple Leafs franchise history. While this goalies would help the Bruins to a Stanley Cup and Vezina trophy the Leafs only got two seasons from the goaltender they received, Andrew Raycroft. This goalie has represented Finland abroad in the 2014 Sochi Olympics and the 2006 World Junior Hockey Championships in Canada.
What was the last jersey the New York Ranger's retired?
Two Rangers were retired under this number in February 2009. Andy Bathgate and Adam Graves were both memorable Blueshirts. Andy Bathgate captained the Rangers for twelve years, played in eight NHL All-Star Games, and won League MVP in 1958-59. Graves helped the team to its 1994 Stanley Cup win and known for philanthropic work and involvement in community outreach. It has been announced Number 19 will be retired in February 2018 to honour Jean Ratelle. He will be the ninth Ranger to receive this honour.
Which Canadian born defensemen managed to score 100 points in a season more than once?
This Canadian defenseman is no longer active but he reached the Stanley Cup Final round seven times and was awarded the Norris Trophy three times. He is second to Ray Bourque in all-time career scoring by a defensemen but he averaged more points per game than Bourque. During his nine-team NHL career he played for three of the Original Six: the Wings, the Black Hawks, and the Bruins. Earlier in 2017 he was named one of the 100 Greatest NHL players in history.
The goalie on which Original Six team popularized "butterfly style" goaltending?
"Butterfly style" goaltending is attributed to Glenn Hall. As any young goalie knows, it requires dropping to your knees to prevent any low shots. The style is ubiquitous today but was first used by "Mr.Goalie," as far back in time that people were using that type of nickname. Hall was voted First Team All-Star goaltender seven times, and the Vezina Trophy-- which at the time was awarded to goalie who allowed fewest goals against-- three times. He was named one of 100 Greatest NHL Players in history.
The Habs adopted a mascot in what season?
Youppi!, French for "Yippe!" was named the official mascot for the Montreal Canadiens after the Montreal Expos moved to Washington to become the Nationals. Youppi! was the first mascot to be thrown out of a MLB game in 1989 when he was running on the Olympic stadium dugouts and the Los Angeles Dodgers manager complained. He kept his signature exclamation point! as a jersey number when he signed with the Canadiens. He was the first mascot to switch between two major sports leagues in North America.
Which Rangers "King" led them to defeat the Capitals in the 2013 postseason?
This Swedish goaltender honed his skills in his country of origin before joining the NHL. He won the Honken Trophy for the Elitserien's finest goaltender three consecutive seasons, in 2003, 2004, and 2005. Next season he was signed with the New York Rangers and would make the NHL All-Rookie team. As of 2008 he recorded at least 30 wins in each of his first three NHL seasons. He was nominated for the Vezina Trophy three times before winning it in 2012.
Who led the Bruins in points for the 2013 playoff season?
In game 7 of the 2013 conference quarterfinals, the Toronto Maple Leafs embarrassingly lost their 4-1 lead in less than 11 minutes. It was the first game 7 in NHL playoff history where a team losing by three goals in the third quarter ended up winning the series. The Bruins made it all the way to the Stanley Cup final round only to lose to the Black Hawks. This Czech center/right winger has only played for the Bruins in the NHL.
Who has won both the Presidents' Trophy and the Stanley Cup in the same season?
Presidents' Trophy is awarded to the NHL team that finishes the regular season, from October to April, with the most points. This trophy gives the recipient team home-ice advantage in the all four rounds of the playoffs. Only eight teams have managed to win both the Presidents' Trophy and the Stanley Cup, leading to the popular superstition that the Presidents' Trophy is cursed. Only one team has won both this more than once, the last time being in the 2007-2008 season.
Which trophy is named for a former owner of the Maple Leafs?
This trophy has been awarded annually since the 1964-1965 season and is presented after the Stanley Cup Final. It is awarded to the player judged most valuable to his team and takes into account the entire NHL postseason. The nomination is voted on by members of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association. This trophy is named after a longtime owner, coach, and general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Goaltender Patrick Roy is the only player to win this trophy three times.