EASTERN CONFERENCE (NHL)

(Redirected from Wales Conference)
Eastern Conference logo, circa 2006

French version of the Eastern Conference logo

The 'Eastern Conference' () is one of two conferences in the National Hockey League (NHL) used to divide teams. Its counterpart is the Western Conference.
Previously known as the 'Prince of Wales Conference' (or 'Wales Conference' for short), it was created in 1974 when the NHL realigned its teams into two conferences and four divisions. Because the new conferences and divisions had little to do with North American geography, geographical references were removed. The conference was instead named for the Prince of Wales Trophy, which was given to the conference's annual champion.
The conferences and divisions were re-aligned in 1981 to better reflect the geographical locations of the teams, but the existing names were retained with the Wales Conference becoming the conference for the NHL's Eastern North America teams. The names of conferences and divisions were changed in 1993 to reflect their geographic locations. Then-new NHL commissioner Gary Bettman made the change to help non-hockey fans better understand the game, as the National Basketball Association, National Football League, and Major League Baseball all use geographic-based names for their conferences and divisions. However, the move angered purists and older hockey fans, who felt the change removed any touch of the history of the league. Critics also noted that baseball and football fans wouldn't be confused by divisions being named after major figures like Roberto Clemente or Walter Payton. The trophy awarded to the conference champion, the Prince of Wales Trophy, retains some connection to the heritage of the league.

Contents
Divisions
Champions

Divisions


Prior to the 1993 realignment, the Wales Conference consisted of the Adams Division and the Patrick Division. Currently, the Eastern Conference comprises 15 teams in three divisions: Atlantic, Northeast, and Southeast.

;Atlantic

New Jersey Devils

New York Islanders

New York Rangers

Philadelphia Flyers

Pittsburgh Penguins

;Northeast

Boston Bruins

Buffalo Sabres

Montreal Canadiens

Ottawa Senators

Toronto Maple Leafs

;Southeast

Atlanta Thrashers

Carolina Hurricanes

Florida Panthers

Tampa Bay Lightning

Washington Capitals

Champions


===Stanley Cup champions produced===

1975-76 - Montreal Canadiens

1976-77 - Montreal Canadiens

1977-78 - Montreal Canadiens

1978-79 - Montreal Canadiens

1981-82 - New York Islanders

1982-83 - New York Islanders

1985-86 - Montreal Canadiens

1990-91 - Pittsburgh Penguins

1991-92 - Pittsburgh Penguins

1992-93 - Montreal Canadiens

1993-94 - New York Rangers

1994-95 - New Jersey Devils

1999-00 - New Jersey Devils

2002-03 - New Jersey Devils

2003-04 - Tampa Bay Lightning

2005-06 - Carolina Hurricanes

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