Do you remember a time when the National Hockey League used to have divisions named after actual, notable people, and not just vague geographic suggestion?
It’s true!
Starting with the 1974-75 season, the NHL reorganized itself from two bloated eight-team divisions, dubbed “East” and “West,” which gradually morphed over seven years to accommodate 10 expansion franchises.
In their place were born four new divisions, initially numbered sequentially from Division 1 to Division 4 upon their announcement on August 28th, 1973.
- Division 1 would be the New York Rangers, New York Islanders, Philadelphia Flyers, Atlanta Flames and a 1976 expansion franchise that was yet to be awarded.