| Hockey is one of the most popular sports in Canada | | | | league and each one will have an affiliation with one of |
| and the United States both as a spectator and | | | | the NHL teams. The Calder Cup is the main trophy of |
| participant sport. Hockey tournaments range in | | | | the AHL and this awarded to the playoff champions |
| suitability for all ages and levels from youngsters all the | | | | of the year. Other hockey tournament trophies in the |
| way through to adult professionals. There are also the | | | | AHL include two Conference playoff championship |
| women's teams and some veteran teams too. | | | | trophies; the Richard F Canning Trophy for the Eastern |
| The largest and best known league is the National | | | | Conference and the Robert W Clarke Trophy for the |
| Hockey League. This is the major professional league | | | | Western. Also included in their season are seven other |
| and covers Canada and the United States. It | | | | regular season championship trophies. |
| comprises 30 teams and is the most highly respected | | | | As well as the American Hockey League, there are |
| league in the world of hockey. During the course of the | | | | another eight minor professional hockey leagues which |
| season there are a variety of tournaments. The team | | | | all run their own hockey tournaments. Obviously the |
| that finishes at the top of the league will be the winner | | | | semi-pro and amateur and college leagues do the |
| of the Presidents Trophy. Another of the most | | | | same. Women's hockey is also a very popular sport |
| prestigious hockey tournaments is the Stanley Cup. | | | | now and this is supported by the National Women's |
| The Stanley Cup is fought for by means of elimination | | | | Hockey League. As there has been some confusion |
| rounds. It starts in April and will be won by the last | | | | regarding the championships of the league in the last |
| remaining team in June. The Presidents trophy is | | | | couple of years, due to the combining of the league |
| awarded to the team which has scored the most | | | | with the Western Women's Hockey League, the |
| points during the regular season. This will run from | | | | tournament details are a little complex. Suffice to say, |
| October to April and teams will play 82 games. The | | | | however, that the Clarkson Cup has been, and |
| tournament schedule is complex but will involve 42 | | | | probably will continue to be, the main tournament |
| games on their home territory and 42 played away at | | | | trophy for women's hockey. |
| the grounds of their opponents. | | | | There are literally hundreds of hockey tournaments |
| The American Hockey League is the most prestigious | | | | running at any one time and if you are either a |
| minor professional league and acts as a supply source | | | | spectator and fan or a participating sportsman, there is |
| of players for the NHL. There are 29 clubs in the | | | | never a shortage of action for you at any level. |