Season structure of the NHL Season structure of the NHL The season structure of the National Hockey League (NHL) is divided into the regular season and the Stanley Cup playoffs. In the regular season, which generally runs from early October through early April, teams play 82 games which determine their standings. The three highest-placed teams in each division and two wild card teams per conference enter the playoff elimination tournament to determine the Stanley Cup champion. Since the 1995–96 season, each team in the NHL plays 82 regular season games, 41 each of home and road. In all, 1,271 games are scheduled (480 of them
William Hanley Trophy William Hanley Trophy The William Hanley Trophy is awarded annually by Ontario Hockey League to the most sportsmanlike player. It is named for Bill Hanley, a former secretary-manager of the Ontario Hockey Association who served in that capacity for twenty-five years. The William Hanley Trophy was first awarded in 1975. The winner of the William Hanley Trophy is nominated for the CHL Sportsman of the Year. From 1961 to 1969, the Max Kaminsky Trophy was awarded to the most gentlemanly player. List of William Hanley Trophy winners, as the most sportsmanlike player. List of Max Kaminsky Trophy winners from 1961–69,