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The National Hockey League (NHL) has 31 teams (7 in Canada and 24 in the USA). Yes about half the players are from Canada and only about a fourth from the USA. Sweden boosts approximately 10% of NHL players. Finland, Czech Republic and Russia each have about 4% of the NHL players. If you are having an NHL tailgate party with friends cheering for different teams, it might be best to be Switzerland staying neutral with general NFL decorations. Use the black and silver color theme for invitations, napkins, paper plates, cups, centerpieces, confetti and banners. ...More Tailgate Info

NHL Hockey Tailgate Party Games etc

View more: NHL Hockey tailgate party supplies & official team jerseys, hats, etc.

NHL Hockey Tailgate Ideas

Fast paced and physical, ice hockey pits two teams who use sticks and a vulcanized rubber puck to battle for points by getting the puck into the opposing team's net. Scores generally are small and excitement is high so fans flock to arenas across the country to follow their teams.

In America, it's an "imported" game that blossomed behind basketball, baseball and football. But there's plenty of enthusiasm today and the arenas are full as league play thrives. The North American National Hockey League is the highest level men's ice hockey and the strongest professional league in the world.

In Canada, it's the most popular sport. It originated in central and eastern Europe (countries where, naturally, there are long winters with lots of ice. Most likely it began as "stick and ball" games on ice, with informal rules that tended to change as the game evolved. As a professional sport, it began in Canada, notably Montreal. The first noted game was played March 3, 1875. Amateur leagues sprang up in the 1880s and professional teams began accumulating fans in the early 1900s. The first Stanley Cup honoring the best in the game was first awarded in 1893 to the leading Canadian hockey team, and later was extended to international competition.

Today, the International Ice Hockey Federation shepherds competition among national teams from Canada, the United States and74 other countries. Since 1920, ice hockey has been a part of the Winter Olympics competition. The "Big Six" teams, representing Canada, Czech Republic, Finland, Russia, Sweden and the U.S., have historically dominated the Olympic scene. Only six medals in the international competition have been awarded to teams outside that group. The World Cup of Hockey. likewise, has been primarly awarded to the teams of the "Big Six," with 177 of 201 medals going into their collections.

In women's ice hockey competition, the same holds true. Women have competed in the Olympics only 12 years, and each of the clashes has ended with a "Big Six" team in possession of the gold. In fact, only Canada and the U.S. have been top teams in the women's events.

NHL Hockey Fan Gear

NHL Hockey Tailgate Party Games etc

NHL Hockey Tailgate Ideas