The Most Popular Hockey League: A Ranking
Voting rules: Choose the league you think is the most popular!
Jun 16, 2023 10:18 (Updated on Dec 7, 2023 08:10)
Welcome to StrawPoll, the ultimate destination for avid hockey fans! We're hosting an exciting ranking showdown: "What is the most popular hockey league?" Thousands of fans are already casting their votes and making their voices heard. Will it be the NHL taking the top spot, or could a surprising underdog steal the glory? No matter your allegiance, we want to hear from you! Not only can you vote for your favorite league, but you can also suggest a missing option to make our ranking even more comprehensive. So, lace up your skates, grab your stick, and glide into the hockey debate that's sweeping the nation! Every vote counts in this icy battle for supremacy, so join the action now and put your favorite league on top!
What Is the Most Popular Hockey League?
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192votesThe NHL is the most popular hockey league in the world, featuring the top professional players from North America and around the world. With 31 teams across the United States and Canada, the NHL attracts millions of fans each season.DescriptionThe National Hockey League (NHL) is a professional ice hockey league that is widely considered as the premier hockey league in the world. It consists of 31 teams from the United States and Canada and is known for its high level of competition and skilled players.
- Number of teams: 31
- Season length: 82 games per team
- Player nationality: International players from various countries
- Stanley Cup: Awarded to the NHL playoff champion
- Famous teams: Montreal Canadiens, Toronto Maple Leafs, Detroit Red Wings
National Hockey League (NHL) in other rankings- Position 4 of 10 in Most popular professional sport in the United States
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241votes
Kallerna · CC BY-SA 4.0The KHL is the second most popular hockey league in the world, featuring teams from Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Finland, and China. It is known for its high level of play and physicality.DescriptionThe Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) is an international professional ice hockey league founded in 2008. It is considered to be the premier hockey league in Eurasia and one of the top hockey leagues in the world. The league consists of teams from Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Finland, and China, with a total of 24 teams currently participating.- Team count: 24
- Founding year: 2008
- Countries represented: 6
- Current champion: CSKA Moscow
- Season duration: August to April
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321votes
Swedish Hockey League (SHL)
Swedish Ice Hockey AssociationThe SHL is the top professional league in Sweden, featuring 14 teams and some of the best players from Europe and North America. It is known for its fast-paced, skilled play.DescriptionThe Swedish Hockey League (SHL) is the top professional ice hockey league in Sweden. It is widely regarded as one of the most competitive and prestigious hockey leagues in Europe. The league has a long-standing history and has gained international recognition for its high level of play and talented players.- Founded: 1922
- Regular Season: 52 games
- Playoffs: Best-of-seven series
- Teams: 14
- Relegation: Bottom two teams replaced by top teams from Allsvenskan
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418votes
Finnish Liiga
Finnish Ice Hockey AssociationThe Finnish Liiga is the top professional league in Finland, featuring 15 teams and some of the best players from Europe and North America. It is known for its strong defensive play and physicality.DescriptionThe Finnish Liiga, also known as the SM-liiga, is the top professional ice hockey league in Finland. It is widely considered one of the most popular hockey leagues in Europe.- Founded: 1975
- Number of teams: 15
- Regular season length: 60 games
- Playoff format: Best-of-seven series
- Relegation system: Three teams are relegated to Mestis
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57votes
Vachovec1 · CC BY-SA 3.0Czech Extraliga
Czech Ice Hockey AssociationThe Czech Extraliga is the top professional league in the Czech Republic, featuring 14 teams and some of the best players from Europe and North America. It is known for its skilled play and high-scoring games.DescriptionThe Czech Extraliga is the top professional ice hockey league in the Czech Republic. It is considered one of the most popular and competitive hockey leagues in Europe.- Established: 1993
- Number of Teams: 14
- Regular Season: 52 games per team
- Playoff Format: Best-of-seven series
- Current Champion: HC Oceláři Třinec
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619votes
Swiss National League
Swiss Ice Hockey FederationThe Swiss National League is the top professional league in Switzerland, featuring 12 teams and some of the best players from Europe and North America. It is known for its fast-paced, skilled play and high-scoring games.DescriptionThe Swiss National League is the top professional ice hockey league in Switzerland. It is considered one of the most popular and competitive hockey leagues in Europe.- Number of teams: 12
- Season duration: Regular season: September to February, Playoffs: February to April
- Game format: Three 20-minute periods
- Import player limit: 4 per team
- Number of games: Regular season: 52 games per team
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710votes
American Hockey League (AHL)
Maurice PodoloffThe AHL is the top minor league in North America, serving as the primary developmental league for the NHL. It features 31 teams across the United States and Canada and attracts millions of fans each season.DescriptionThe American Hockey League (AHL) is a professional ice hockey league in North America. It is considered the primary developmental league for the National Hockey League (NHL), and serves as a vital platform for young players to develop their skills and eventually make it to the NHL. Founded in 1936, the AHL has grown to become one of the most popular and competitive hockey leagues in the world.- Founded: 1936
- Number of teams: 31
- Affiliated with NHL: All teams affiliated with NHL clubs
- Regular season games: 76
- Playoff format: Best-of-five series in early rounds, leading to best-of-seven Calder Cup Finals
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84votesThe OHL is one of three major junior leagues in North America, featuring players aged 16-20. It is known for its high level of play and serves as a key feeder system for the NHL.DescriptionThe Ontario Hockey League (OHL) is a major junior ice hockey league based in Ontario, Canada. It is one of the three leagues that form the Canadian Hockey League (CHL), the premier development league for professional ice hockey players in Canada. The OHL is recognized as one of the top junior leagues in North America, known for producing many talented players who go on to have successful careers in the National Hockey League (NHL).
- Teams: 20 teams (as of the 2021-2022 season)
- Players: Ages 16 to 20
- Eligibility: Players must be Canadian citizens or have obtained special status to play
- Schedule: Regular season of 68 games, followed by playoffs
- Memorial Cup: The champion of the OHL competes for the Memorial Cup against champions from the Western Hockey League (WHL) and the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL)
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96votes
Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL)
Gilles LégerThe QMJHL is another major junior league in North America, featuring players aged 16-20. It is known for its fast-paced, high-scoring games and serves as a key feeder system for the NHL.DescriptionThe Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) is a major junior ice hockey league in Canada. It is one of the three leagues that make up the Canadian Hockey League (CHL), which is considered the top level of junior hockey in the country. The QMJHL is primarily based in the province of Quebec, but also includes teams from the Maritime provinces of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island.- Founded: 1969
- Teams: 18
- Headquarters: Boucherville, Quebec
- Season: September to March
- Playoffs: President's Cup
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104votesThe Russian VHL is the second tier professional league in Russia, featuring 24 teams and some of the top young players in the country. It is known for its physical play and competitive nature.DescriptionThe Russian VHL (Vysshaya Hokkeinaya Liga) is a professional ice hockey league in Russia, considered to be the second-highest level of hockey in the country. It serves as a developmental league for the top-tier Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) and consists of 27 teams.
- Number of Teams: 27
- League Level: Second-highest level in Russia
- Affiliated with: Kontinental Hockey League (KHL)
- Founded: 1992
- Promotion/Relegation: Top teams can be promoted to KHL, bottom teams can be relegated to a lower league
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Discussion
Ranking factors for popular hockey league
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Attendance and fan baseThe average number of spectators attending the games and the overall fan following of the league in terms of television and online viewership, merchandise sales, and fan clubs.
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Number of teams and geographic expansionA popular league generally has a strong base of participating teams and an expanding geographic reach.
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Talent and skill levelA popular league has a high level of competition, attracting the top talent from around the world, and showcasing the best in hockey skill and ability.
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Media coverage and broadcastingWidespread media coverage, television broadcasts, and online streaming services contribute to the popularity of a hockey league by making it more accessible to fans worldwide.
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Sponsorships and partnershipsA popular hockey league often has strong partnerships with major brands and corporations, which reflects the league's marketability and appeal to sponsors.
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Financial stability and revenuesA popular league generates significant revenue, indicating its profitability, sustainability, and commercial success.
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History and traditionThe league's history and its place in the larger context of hockey culture and tradition can impact its popularity.
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Player salaries and league structureHigh player salaries and well-organized league structure can indicate a popular and successful league.
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International exposure and representationThe presence of players from various countries, as well as league representation in international tournaments and competitions, can impact a league's popularity.
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Quality of facilities and infrastructureA popular hockey league typically has well-maintained and state-of-the-art facilities, including arenas, training centers, and other related infrastructure.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most popular hockey league. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or league is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 2659 views
- 222 votes
- 10 ranked items
Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each league once every 24 hours. The rank of each league is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
More information on most popular hockey league
Ice hockey is one of the most popular sports in the world, with millions of fans tuning in to watch their favorite teams battle it out on the ice. There are several professional ice hockey leagues around the world, each with their own unique style of play and passionate fan base. In this article, we'll be exploring the question of which hockey league is the most popular, taking a look at the different leagues and what makes them stand out. From the high-flying action of the NHL in North America to the intense rivalries of the KHL in Russia, we'll be delving into the world of ice hockey and exploring what makes each league so special. So whether you're a die-hard hockey fan or simply curious about the sport, read on to discover the most popular hockey league around!
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