NHL

The National Hockey League (NHL) is a professional ice hockey league in North America, comprising 31 teams across the United States and Canada. Established in 1917, it is currently composed of one division each from the United States and Canada; these are known as the Eastern Conference and Western Conference respectively. The NHL was created to govern all aspects of organized amateur hockey competition on a national level within its respective countries.

Each season consists of 82 games played by each team, with an additional 24 postseason contests leading up to the Stanley Cup Finals which determines that year’s champion club. In addition to regular-season play, there also exists All-Star weekend events every January for both conferences featuring top players from around the world representing their regions or nations at various levels including youth through adult age groups such as junior leagues  and university league programs..

Each player who participates must have been signed under contract with an NHL organization during either current or previous seasons before being eligible for selection into any given game format designated depending upon what type event it may be: exhibition match-ups versus international opponents (typically European), mid-week tournaments showcasing pool talents playing against their own countrymen amongst other non–North American talent, plus special charity/awareness causes making select appearances throughout certain timespans annually where funds raised go towards helping those less fortunate than themselves while promoting goodwill gestures too many people involved directly & indirectly alike regardless wherever they might reside worldwide spread out over 6 different continents!  

As part of its mission statement released publicly back 2009 prior establishment two years prior regarding furthering growth developmental resources fostering future generations’ interest participation sport internationally via providing educational initiatives related topics surrounding safety awareness physical fitness training camps coaching mentorship opportunities aspiring young athletes strive reach higher heights beyond expected expectations evidenced today when you look number players drafted come outside traditional Canadian/American geographical borderlines since then signifying vast improvements made overall system thus far showing no signs slowing anytime soon hopefully continue long time come keeping best interests everyone mind foremost foremost priority .