Ice hockey originated in Canada in the early 19th century. It was inspired by similar stick-and-ball games played in Europe, but it adapted to the cold Canadian winters by being played on ice.
The Stanley Cup is the oldest professional sports trophy in North America. It was first awarded in 1893 and is awarded annually to the National Hockey League (NHL) playoff champion.
The record for the fastest recorded shot in ice hockey belongs to Russian forward Alexander Ryazantsev, who clocked a shot at 114 miles per hour (183.67 km/h).
A "hat trick" in hockey refers to a player scoring three goals in a single game. The term originated in the 19th century when fans would throw their hats onto the ice to celebrate a player's achievement.
The Zamboni is a machine used to resurface the ice rink between periods of a hockey game. It was invented by Frank Zamboni in 1949 and revolutionized ice maintenance in arenas around the world.
The "Original Six" refers to the six teams that comprised the NHL from 1942 until the league's expansion in 1967. These teams are the Boston Bruins, Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Red Wings, Montreal Canadiens, etc.
In the NHL, regular-season games that are tied at the end of regulation go into a five-minute sudden-death overtime period, where the first team to score wins. If no goal is scored, the game goes to a shootout.
The Hockey Hall of Fame, located in Toronto, Canada, honors the history and achievements of the greatest players, coaches, and officials in ice hockey.