First NHL Franchise Founded (1917)
The only founding franchise still standing: A century of unbroken tradition.
Born in December 1917, the Montreal Canadiens stand as the NHL's first franchise and its sole original survivor. Established when the National Hockey Association dissolved into a new league, this club didn't just join history—it carried the torch forward. As the only team to maintain its identity through a century of upheaval, Montreal remains the living anchor of professional hockey.
- League Founding Date
- December 2, 1917
- Original League Status
- Founding Member (NHL)
- Predecessor Organization
- National Hockey Association (NHA)
- Current Status
- Active Franchise (Oldest in NHL)
- Primary Rivalry Origin
- Established 1924 (Boston Bruins), 1938 (Toronto Maple Leafs)
Lore & Background
This founding moment cemented Montreal as the epicenter of professional hockey. While other original franchises like the Quebec Bulldogs, Hamilton Tigers, and Ottawa Senators (original) eventually folded or relocated, the Canadiens endured through the Great Depression, World Wars, and the expansion era. Their continuity provides an unbroken link to the sport's earliest professional days. The 1917 founding is not just a date on a calendar; it represents the survival of the franchise against the odds of reorganization and economic collapse.
In Their Own Story
The air in the Windsor Hotel was thick with cigar smoke and the weight of history. Outside, Montreal snow fell silently, but inside, four men were rewriting the rules of the game they loved. "We cannot let this die," one voice insisted, referencing the NHA's chaotic end. The decision was made: a new league would rise from the ashes. When the puck dropped for that first NHL season on December 19, 1917, it wasn't just a game; it was the debut of an institution. The Canadiens took their place on the ice, the only team carrying the old banner into the new era, ready to defend not just a city, but the very existence of the league itself.
Reader's Guide
Being a founding member defines the Canadiens' DNA. While the Quebec Bulldogs, Hamilton Tigers, and original Ottawa Senators eventually folded or relocated, Montreal stayed put. The franchise weathered the Great Depression, two World Wars, and the 1967 expansion without ever ceasing operations. This unbroken run makes them the league's oldest continuous club. That 1917 lineage isn't just a record—it’s the foundation for every Stanley Cup that followed, distinguishing the Habs from every team that joined later.
Did You Know?
- The Canadiens were the only NHA franchise to keep their exact name and identity when transitioning to the NHL in 1917.
- The league was officially founded on December 2, 1917, but the first game featuring the Canadiens took place on December 19, 1917.
- Three of the four founding franchises (Quebec, Hamilton, and original Ottawa) no longer exist in their original form or location.
- The team's French name, 'Les Habitants,' became a nickname for the franchise shortly after its founding, reflecting its deep roots in Montreal's Francophone culture.