The Most Popular NHL Team in Canada, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the team you think is the most popular!
Updated on Apr 20, 2024 07:23
In a country where hockey is not just a sport but a part of the national identity, ranking the most popular NHL team becomes a spirited affair. Fans across Canada feel deeply connected to their teams, making it essential to gauge the pulse of the nation's hockey heart. Finding out which team tops the popularity charts can spark engaging debates and camaraderie among fans.
By participating in this ranking, fans have the opportunity to show support for their favourite teams and see how they stack up against the competition. Each vote contributes to a dynamic tally that reflects current fan sentiments. This real-time ranking not only fuels regional pride but also gives fans a voice in a fun, interactive way.
What Is the Most Popular NHL Team in Canada?
-
115votesThe Maple Leafs are the most popular NHL team in Canada, with a large fan base and a rich history. They have won 13 Stanley Cups and have many legendary players in their history.The Toronto Maple Leafs is a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are one of the original six teams of the National Hockey League (NHL) and have a rich history in the sport. The team is known for its passionate fan base and iconic logo featuring a maple leaf.
- Home Arena: Scotiabank Arena
- Team Colors: Blue and white
- Championships: 13 Stanley Cups (as of 2021)
- Logo: A maple leaf with the team name in bold letters.
- Rivalries: Montreal Canadiens, Ottawa Senators, Boston Bruins
Toronto Maple Leafs in other rankings- Position 2 of 10 in Most popular hockey team in Canada
- Position 3 of 10 in Most popular NHL jersey
-
243votes
Montreal Canadiens
J. Ambrose O'BrienThe Canadiens are the second most popular NHL team in Canada and have a strong following in Quebec. They have won 24 Stanley Cups, more than any other team in NHL history.The Montreal Canadiens is a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. They are one of the most successful and iconic franchises in the history of the National Hockey League (NHL).- Established: 1909
- Stanley Cup Championships: 24
- Conference Championships: 8
- Division Championships: 22
- Retired Jersey Numbers: 15
Montreal Canadiens in other rankings- Position 1 of 10 in Most popular hockey team in Canada
- Position 4 of 10 in Most successful sports franchise
-
38votesThe Canucks have a large following in British Columbia and have been a competitive team in recent years. They have made it to the Stanley Cup Finals three times, but have yet to win a championship.The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. They are a member of the Pacific Division in the Western Conference of the National Hockey League (NHL). The team was established in 1970 and has become one of the most popular and beloved hockey teams in Canada.
- Home Arena: Rogers Arena
- Team Colors: Blue, green, and white
- Captain: Bo Horvat
- Head Coach: Travis Green
- Number of Stanley Cup Championships: Zero (as of 2021)
Vancouver Canucks in other rankings- Position 4 of 10 in Most popular hockey team in Canada
-
421votes
Calgary Flames
Riley St. ClairThe Flames have a strong following in Alberta and have won one Stanley Cup in 1989. They have a passionate fan base and have been a competitive team in recent years.The Calgary Flames are a professional ice hockey team based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. They are a member of the Pacific Division in the Western Conference of the National Hockey League (NHL).- Founded: 1972
- Home Arena: Scotiabank Saddledome
- Team Colors: Red, black, and yellow
- Stanley Cup Championships: 1 (1988-1989)
- Conference Championships: 3 (1985-1986, 1988-1989, 2003-2004)
Calgary Flames in other rankings- Position 5 of 10 in Most popular hockey team in Canada
-
523votesThe Oilers have a strong following in Alberta and have won five Stanley Cups, including four in a five-year span in the 1980s. They have had many legendary players in their history, including Wayne Gretzky.Edmonton Oilers in other rankings
- Position 3 of 10 in Most popular hockey team in Canada
- Position 4 of 10 in Most popular NHL jersey
-
65votes
Ottawa Senators
Bruce FirestoneThe Senators have a passionate fan base in the capital city of Canada and have been a competitive team in recent years. They have yet to win a Stanley Cup, but have made it to the Finals once in 2007.The Ottawa Senators is a professional ice hockey team based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. They are a member of the North Division in the National Hockey League (NHL).- Year Established: 1992
- Home Arena: Canadian Tire Centre
- Head Coach: D.J. Smith
- Captain: Vacant (as of 2021)
- Conference Championships: 1 (2006-2007)
Ottawa Senators in other rankings- Position 6 of 10 in Most popular hockey team in Canada
-
79votesThe Jets returned to Winnipeg in 2011 and have a strong following in Manitoba. They have yet to win a Stanley Cup, but have been a competitive team in recent years.The Winnipeg Jets is a professional ice hockey team based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. They are a member of the Central Division of the Western Conference in the National Hockey League (NHL).
- Logo: The team's logo features a stylized jet plane flying with the team name inscribed inside a red circle.
- Colors: The team's primary colors are navy blue, white, and silver.
- Home Arena: The team plays its home games at the Bell MTS Place, which has a seating capacity of over 15,000 for hockey.
- Stanley Cup Wins: The Winnipeg Jets have not won a Stanley Cup as of yet.
- Conference Championships: The team has not won a conference championship either.
Winnipeg Jets in other rankings- Position 7 of 10 in Most popular hockey team in Canada
- Position 8 of 10 in Most underrated NHL team
-
83votesAlthough the Nordiques no longer exist, they had a strong following in Quebec City and were a competitive team in the 1980s and early 1990s. Many fans still remember the team fondly and hope for their return to the NHL.The Quebec Nordiques were a professional ice hockey team based in Quebec City, Quebec. They were part of the National Hockey League (NHL) and played from 1972 until 1995. The team had a loyal fan base and were seen as one of the major hockey teams in Canada.
- Founded: 1972
- Joined NHL: 1979
- City: Quebec City, Quebec
- Home Arena: Le Colisée de Québec
- Team Colors: Blue, white, and red
Quebec Nordiques in other rankings- Position 8 of 10 in Most popular hockey team in Canada
-
911votesAlthough they no longer exist, the Arenas and St. Patricks were the predecessors to the Maple Leafs and have a rich history in Toronto. They won the first Stanley Cup in NHL history in 1918.The Toronto Arenas/St. Patricks was a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The team existed in various forms from 1917 to 1934. They were one of the founding members of the National Hockey League (NHL) in 1917.
- Team Name: Toronto Arenas (1917-1919), Toronto St. Patricks (1919-1927)
- Home Arena: Arena Gardens (1917-1931), Maple Leaf Gardens (1931-1934)
- Championships: 2 Stanley Cups (1918, 1922)
- Team Colors: Blue and white
- Famous Players: Reg Noble, Babe Dye, Jack Adams, Hap Day
-
105votes
Hamilton Tigers
Ambrose O'BrienAlthough they only existed for a short time in the 1920s, the Tigers had a strong following in Hamilton and won the first NHL game played in Canada.The Hamilton Tigers were a professional ice hockey team based in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. They were a member of the National Hockey League (NHL) and played from 1920 to 1925. The team was created by the founder of the NHL, Ambrose O'Brien, who also owned the Montreal Canadiens.- Location: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- League: National Hockey League (NHL)
- Years of Operation: 1920-1925
- Owner: Ambrose O'Brien
- Home Arena: Hamilton Forum
Hamilton Tigers in other rankings- Position 9 of 10 in Most popular hockey team in Canada
Missing your favorite team?
Graphs
Discussion
Ranking factors for popular team
-
Ticket sales and attendanceA popular team should attract larger crowds to their games. Tracking the number of tickets sold and average attendance at home games can give an idea of a team's popularity.
-
Merchandise salesSales of team jerseys, hats, and other branded items can indicate the level of fan support for a particular team.
-
Television ratingsHigher ratings for a team's games on TV networks can be an indication of popularity as more fans are tuning in to watch.
-
Success on the iceStanley Cup championships, playoff appearances, and winning records can all contribute to a team's popularity. Winning tends to attract more fans, so a successful team is likely to be more popular.
-
History and traditionOlder teams with a longer history in the NHL may have larger and more dedicated fan bases. Teams with storied histories and iconic players can garner more attention and popularity.
-
Player popularityHigh-profile players can draw fans to a particular team. Popular players may have large personal fan bases, and their presence on a team can boost the team's overall popularity.
-
Media coverageTeams with more media coverage are likely to be more popular as they receive more exposure to fans. This includes the number of articles written about the team, the number of times the team is mentioned on sports networks, and the amount of coverage they receive on social media.
-
Geographic locationTeams located in larger cities or regions with high populations are more likely to have larger fan bases. Additionally, teams with fewer nearby competitors may garner more regional support.
-
Community involvementFinally, a team's involvement in the local community, through events, charitable initiatives, and youth programs, can help boost its popularity among fans. A team that is engaged with its community may receive more support and a larger fan base.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most popular NHL team in Canada. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or Player is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 4431 views
- 129 votes
- 10 ranked items
Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each Player once every 24 hours. The rank of each Player is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
More information on most popular nhl team in canada
Hockey is a beloved sport in Canada and the National Hockey League (NHL) is the top professional league for the sport. With seven teams based in Canada, the NHL is a significant part of Canadian culture. The question of which NHL team is the most popular in Canada is a highly debated topic among hockey fans. Many factors influence fans' preferences, including the team's history, success, and star players. Some of the most successful and well-known teams in the NHL, such as the Montreal Canadiens and the Toronto Maple Leafs, have a large and dedicated fan base. However, every Canadian NHL team has its own unique identity and passionate fans who proudly support their team.
Explore other rankings
Check out some of the other recommended rankings on StrawPoll and make your voice heard.
