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.

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.

Matt D'Agostini joins in Canadiens

Montreal Canadiens General Manager Bob Gainey told the media that the signing of forward Matt D’Agostini to a one-year contract has been confirmed.In 2006-07 in his first season D’Agostini won the Calder Cup with the Bulldogs. He registered 13 points in 22 AHL playoff contests.

Last season D’Agostini got 21 points with the Canadiens. The 22-year-old player was the AHL’s third scorer with 25 points and a plus-7 rating in 20 games when he joined in the Canadiens from the Hamilton Bulldogs. D’Agostini also made his NHL performance in 2008-09.

Toronto Maple Leafs add Macdonald

President and general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs Brian Burke, announced that the club has signed free agent Joey MacDonald.The goaltender has appeared in 66 career NHL games with the Islanders, Boston Bruins and Detroit Red Wings.

MacDonald has played 17 games from November 3 to December 8 and was named the NHL's "Third Star of the Month" in November. "We are pleased to be able to add a goaltender of Joey’s caliber to our roster," said Burke.

Blake Comeau's new deal with Islanders

New York Islanders announced that they have agreed to add forward Blake Comeau to a two-year contract. "We are excited to have Blake as part of our line-up," said Garth Snow, General Manager, New York Islanders. "He is a versatile player who has great promise and is developing into a solid NHL player."

Comeau was originally selected by the Islanders at the 2004 National Hockey League Entry Draft in the second round. After beginning last season with the American Hockey League affiliate, the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, Comeau returned to the Islanders, recording 7 goals and 18 assists for 25 points in 53 games. Comeau has played 104 games with the Islanders, collecting 40 points in all.

Boyd remains in Flames

General Manager Darryl Sutter of Calgary Flames announced that the team have agreed to re-signed forward Dustin Boyd. He can continue to play on the ice in his Flames jersey.

Boyd is a native of Winnipeg, in the game he scored 11 goals and 11 assists in 71 games. Now he is in his third season with the Flames, getting 20 goals and 18 assists for 38 points in 132 career NHL games.

Josh Harding continues to stay in Wild

Minnesota Wild General Manager Chuck Fletcher announced that the team has agreed to sign goaltender Josh Harding to a one-year contract.He was Minnesota's second-round pick in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft.

Harding appeared in 19 games with the Wild in 2008-09. He has appeared in 58 NHL games for Minnesota Wild in several seasons, from now on he is continuing to wear Wild jersey and play with their teammates.

Buffalo Sabres began to cap season tickets

Last month Buffalo Sabres announced they have began to cap their season tickets for the 2009-10 season at the quantity of 14,825, which is more than last year. Now the club is able to hand out 1,200 new season tickets to members of their Club. Last year Sabres had a ticket capacity of 14,800 consisting of full season and mini packs.This time the Sabres will offer mini packs to fans once again.

"Our fans have been very loyal over the years and we are extremely grateful they have continued to support the team. We take great pride in the partnership we have nurtured with our fans over the last several years."said Chief Operating Officer, Dan DiPofi.

Forward Dawes was acquired by Flames

Calgary Flames General Manager Darryl Sutter announced the signing of forward Nigel Dawes who was from Phoenix was confirmed.

Dawes has 133 games of NHL experience split between the New York Rangers and the Phoenix Coyotes, scoring 25 goals and 26 assists. He was originally drafted by the New York Rangers in the 5th round in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. Previously Dawes has experience with two of the Flames coaches who have won the 2005 IIHF World Junior Championship under Brent Sutter and have won the 2002 Memorial Cup under Ryan McGill.

Slater will continue to play for Thrashers

According to Executive Vice President and General Manager Don Waddell, Atlanta Thrashers have signed free agent forward Jim Slater. Slater has recorded 70 points in 274 career NHL games with the Thrashers. He also appeared in four Stanley Cup games during the 2006-07 season. and scored 18 points in 60 games last season.

He has also represented the United States in International Competition, taking part in the 2001 World Junior Championship and 2006 World Championship.

Leopold became a member of Panthers

Florida Panthers Assistant General Manager Randy Sexton told the media that they have signed with Jordan Leopold to a one-year contract. "When we made the deal for Leopold last week, we did so knowing he was the kind of player and person that we wanted in our organization," Sexton said.

Leopold played in 83 games last season with Calgary and Colorado scoring seven goals with 17 assists.In his NHL career, he has played in 355 games with Calgary and Colorado. He has also played in 46 contests for both Colorado and Calgary, scoring 15 assists and 18 penalty minutes.

Hurricanes sign Jokinen

The President and General Manager of the National Hockey League's Carolina Hurricanes Jim Rutherford told the media that their team had signed Tampa Bay's left wing Jussi Jokinen. "Jussi is a skilled, two-positional player that can be used in all situations. He will add depth to our team at an important time of the season." said Rutherford.

In Tampa Bay Jokinen has got 6 goals and 16 points in 46 games this season.After starting his North American professional career with Dallas in 2005 he has been in his fourth NHL season.Since being drafted by the Stars in the sixth round Jokinen has got 53 goals and 161 points in 281 NHL games with Dallas and Tampa Bay.

Ovechkin's "terrible" incident

An image was put forward in front of the NHL last Tuesday, it was about All-Star forward Alex Ovechkin's "terrible" incident.

After helping the team get 60 points and 31 goals, in the second period he was attempting to get around the defenseman Zdeno Chara from Boston Bruins,but failed. He lost his balance and lay on the ice for 15 seconds, waiting to be taken care of by the Capitals' training staff. Luckily he got up at last and went to the dressing room. Compared to his injury, it seemed that he had suffured more frustration.

Although he missed the final second period, he eventually started to play in the third period.Ovechkin said he was feeling fine after sliding down on the ice and this was just a hockey moment.

Vanek returned to the game

On Feb.7 in Ottawa,Sabres' winger Vanek got hurt in the game after being hit on the face.Then he missed the last nine games because of his fractured jaw,and after that he said he was ready to return to the lineup to play against Montreal Canadiens.

Now Vanek is ranked eighth in the NHL with 32 goals in 54 games."It’s a big plus," Head Coach Lindy Ruff said. "But I think the question is how ready is he going to be? Can he answer the physical, can he answer the conditioning? We hope he can."Still Vanek believes that he is going to get better enough to play on the ice.