The National Hockey League (NHL) is a professional ice hockey league that consists of 31 teams located in Canada and the United States of America. The NHL is also known as the National Hockey League of North America, the North American Hockey League, the NHLPA, the National Ice Hockey League, and the North American Professional Hockey League (NAPHL). The NHL has been the premier professional ice hockey league in the world since its inception in 1917 and has produced some of the greatest hockey players of all time. With its exciting style of play and competitive spirit, the NHL continues to be a beloved institution in the world of sports.