The Origin of National Hockey League

NHL is a professional ice hockey league consisting 30 teams which are located throughout North America. It is one of the North American major professional sports leagues. Also the Stanley Cup is the oldest professional sports trophy in North America, being awarded to the champion team at the end of each season every year. There are an increasing number of hockey fans now wearing their favorite hockey jersey and supporting their favorite teams and players.

Sillinger will retire from NHL

After playing in the NHL club for the past 17 seasons New York Islanders forward Mike Sillinger announces that he will retire from the club. He was Originally drafted in the first round of the 1989 NHL Entry Draft by the Detroit Red Wings, and played in 141 games for the Islanders the last three seasons.

In all, he skated for the Vancouver Canucks, Philadelphia Flyers, Tampa Bay Lightning, Florida Panthers, Ottawa Senators, Columbus Blue Jackets, Phoenix Coyotes, St. Louis Blues, Nashville Predators, and the Islanders.

Red Wings add Berrtuzzi

It is reported that the Detroit Red Wings has signed free agent forward Todd Bertuzzi to a one-year contract. Bertuzzi was originally picked at the first round draft of the New York Islanders in 1993. And he spent last season with the Calgary Flames where he got 44 points in 66 games.

Now Bertuzzi returns to Detroit for the second time in his career, he has played in 8 regular-season games and 16 playoff games for the Red Wings in 2006-07.

Granato was named assistant coach by Penguins

Executive Vice President and General Manager Ray Shero of Pittsburgh Penguins told the media that Tony Granato has been named assistant coach. "We are excited to have a guy who's accomplished as much as Tony join our staff as an assistant coach," Penguins Head Coach Dan Bylsma said.

Granato spent the last six seasons for the Colorado Avalanche and built a new record and for the team in 2003. He joined the Avalanche in June 2002 as an assistant coach. Then he was nominated as head coach on Dec. 18, 2002.

Milan Jurcina joins in Washington Capitals

Vice president and general manager George McPhee announced Washington Capitals have signed defenseman Milan Jurcina to a one-year contract.

He was acquired by the Capitals from Boston on Feb. 1, 2007. He has played in 275 NHL games and has 14 goals and 32 assists in his career. Jurcina appeared in 79 games for the Capitals in 2008-09. He had three goals and 11 assists , ranking first on the club with 131 blocked shots.

Kaberle was acquired by Hurricanes

President and General Manager of the National Hockey League's Carolina Hurricanes Jim Rutherford announced that the team have added defenseman Frantisek Kaberle.

Kaberle scored 9 goals and 82 points in 214 regular-season games with Hurricanes from 2005-06 to 2008-09. He helped the Hurricanes capture the first championship in the history. Kaberle has scored 29 goals and 218 penalty minutes in 523 career NHL regular-season games with Los Angeles, Atlanta and Carolina. He was originally drafted in the third round in the 1999 NHL Entry Draft. We are looking forward to seeing him wearing Hurricane jersey and playing on the ice.

Brodziak joins in Wild

Minnesota Wild General Manager Chuck Fletcher said the club has signed center Kyle Brodziak who was acquired from the Edmonton Oilers on June 27 during the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.Brodziak recorded 27 points and 21 penalty minutes in 79 games with Edmonton in 2008-09.

He earned 14 goals and 17 assists in 80 games with Edmonton in 2007-08. He has appeared in 175 career NHL contests with the Oilers in four seasons collecting 59 points and 60 penalty minutes. He made his NHL performance on Oct. 15, 2005 at Calgary and got his first career NHL goal on March 17, 2007 against St. Louis. He was originally selected by the Oilers in the seventh round of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft.

Kaleta accepts offer from Sabres

Buffalo Sabres General Manager Darcy Regier announced that forward Patrick Kaleta has accepted his one-year offer. Kaleta was Sabres’ sixth-round selection in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft.

Kaleta collected nine points and 89 penalty minutes in 51 games last season. But he missed 27 games because of a neck injury. The New York native has appeared in 98 career NHL games, recording 16 points and 151 penalty minutes.

Los Angeles Kings agreed to term with Parse

Kings General Manager Dean Lombardi announced that they have agreed to sign a one-year contract with Parse. His first full professional season was 2007-08, Parse appeared in 14 games for Manchester and 18 games for the ECHL's Reading Royals. After 2007 Parse joined the AHL's Grand Rapids Griffins and appeared in 10 regular season games.

Parse has recorded 39 points and 38 penalty minutes for AHL Manchester Monarchs in 2008-09. His 39 points was fifth on Manchester and his 15 goals were ranked fourth in the team.

Toronto Maple Leafs acquire Colton Orr

According to TSN, Orr joined in the Maple Leafs last month, signing a four-year contract which was worth $4 million. Orr has 549 penalty minutes in 245 career NHL games, and 224 of games which he played as a member of the New York Rangers.

Orr played 82 regular season games and had a career-high 193 penalty minutes with five points. The penalty minutes ranked third in this season just behind Daniel Carcillo and Shane O'Brien.According to hockeyfights.com, Orr also had 18 fights this past season. He must need some more maple leafs jerseys because of these fights.

New York Islanders host Lighthouse International Tournament

This year the annual Lighthouse International Tournament which features teams frome all over the world are played throughout Long Island,including Islanders Ice Works and Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum.The tournament was host by New York Islanders and started from Feb.18 to Feb.23.

There are eight teams in all,including two Chinese teams,one Japanese team and teams from other countries.Islanders President Chris Dey said the goal was creating a once-in-a-lifetime,cross-cultural experience for all of the participants.The medal round was played at Nassau Coliseum on Feb.21 and Friendship Games on Feb.23 at Iceworks.

Successful partnership between NHL&NBC

In May 2004,the partnership between NHL and NBC was announced and then extended in 2007 and 2008.The NBC's NHL broadcast team includes Emrick,Eddie Olczyk,Pierre,and Mike Mibury.

NBC and NHL have introduced many innovations to help grow the game.Also,NBC Sports has achieved a great number of ratings milestones including the NHL game overall in 36 years and most-viewed regular season game in 34 years.It has received a Sports Emmy Award for the promotion of the 2009 Winter Classic.

NBC Sports about NHL in 2010 begins on New Year's Day also with the third annual NHL Winter Classic.It will continue to broadcast games throughout the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Blackhawks' ticket prices will not increase

Chicago Blackhawks have announced today that season ticket prices for the 2009-10 season will not increase from 2008-09 season ticket package prices."Chicago Blackhawks fans are unique in that they have remained loyal to our team through many seasons of challenge," Blackhawks Chairman W. Rockwell "Rocky" Wirtz said.

"We want to be respectful of our fans and their allegiance to the organization with regard to the nature of today's economy," Blackhawks Team President John McDonough said. "We also want to remain consistent with our big picture approach as we attempt to improve all aspects of our franchise."