FUN WITH MAPS – A REWIND SPECIAL ISSUE 2025-213

By Steve Kovacs (Introduction by Chuck Gibson)

LOVELAND, OH (December 19, 2025) – Today’s REWIND SPECIAL edition of Fun with Maps takes us onto the ice in Montreal, Canada. (Originally published on 12/19/2022 – the 105^th anniversary of the first NHL games.)

WHEN HELL FREEZES OVER, THEY’LL PLAY HOCKEY THERE TOO

The first NHL games were played on December 19, 1917, 108 years ago today.

It was a good day to be from Montreal as both winners came from there.  The Montreal Wanderers beat the Toronto Arenas 10-9 in a home game while the Montreal Canadiens posted a 7-4 victory over the Ottawa Senators.

The NHL expanded into the US in 1924 with the Boston Bruins.  Although the League grew to 10 teams, the Great Depression and World War II played a role in the demise of several teams who either merged or disbanded.  Today the “Original Six” are considered to be the teams who were the League members in 1942 – Boston Bruins, Chicago Black Hawks, Detroit Red Wings, Montreal Canadiens, New York Rangers and Toronto Maple Leafs.

Today there are 32 teams in the NHL – 25 in the US and 7 in Canada.

This McNally Map of Montreal was issued six year prior to the first games.  

Steve Kovacs and his wife Theresa reside in Loveland, Ohio where they raised their two children. He is a passionate collector of antique maps.

Visit his antique map boutique world-on-paper online. Watch for his daily feature Steve Kovacs: Fun with Maps here on Loveland Beacon.