20 Mind-Blowing NHL Facts You Didn't Know

🏒The NHL debuted outdoor hockey in 1954 in a game between the Detroit Red Wings and a team composed of prison inmates.

🏆The Art Ross Trophy, awarded to the NHL's top scorer, is named after a defenseman who played only three NHL games and scored one goal.

💰The Detroit Red Wings acquired Chris Draper, a key player, from the Winnipeg Jets for just $1.

🤔The Buffalo Sabres once drafted a player named Taro Sujimoto who didn't actually exist.

🏒📷The NHL introduced puck sensors to gather data on puck movement and enhance the viewing experience for fans.

When was the first outdoor NHL game played?

—The first outdoor game in NHL history was played in 1954, between the Detroit Red Wings and a team of prison inmates.

Who was Art Ross and why is the trophy named after him?

—Art Ross was a defenseman who played only three NHL games. The trophy is named after him because he was instrumental in the development of the NHL as a referee and coach.

How much did the Detroit Red Wings pay for Chris Draper?

—The Detroit Red Wings acquired Chris Draper from the Winnipeg Jets for just $1.

Did the Buffalo Sabres really draft a player who didn't exist?

—Yes, in the 1974 NHL Draft, the Buffalo Sabres drafted Taro Sujimoto, a player who was later revealed to be fictitious.

What are puck sensors and how do they work?

—Puck sensors are embedded in NHL pucks and provide data on the puck's speed, trajectory, and distance traveled on the ice. This data can be used for analysis and enhancing the viewing experience for fans.

00:00Introduction and overview of the 20 mind-blowing NHL facts.

04:07The NHL's first outdoor game, played between the Detroit Red Wings and a team of prison inmates.

06:53The Art Ross Trophy and its namesake, a defenseman who played only three NHL games.

09:56The Detroit Red Wings' trade for Chris Draper, acquiring him for just $1.

11:27The Buffalo Sabres' draft pick of Taro Sujimoto, a player who didn't actually exist.

14:17The introduction of puck sensors in the NHL, enhancing data collection and the viewing experience.