Pacific Division (NHL)
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The National Hockey League's Pacific Division is one of three divisions that make up the Western Conference. It was formed in 1993 as part league realignment. The Pacific Division is the successor of the Smythe Division, though of the current teams, only the Los Angeles Kings and San Jose Sharks played in the Smythe division.
The Pacific Division is centred around the Southwestern United States, with three teams based in California, one in Arizona and one in Texas.
The Dallas Stars have the most Pacific Division titles, with five. Two Stanley Cup winners have come from the Pacific Division: the Stars in 1999, and the Colorado Avalanche in 1996.
Contents |
[edit] Current lineup
[edit] Alignment history
[edit] 1993-1995
When the Pacific Division was formed in 1993, it was identical to the Smythe Division, except that the Winnipeg Jets moved to the Central Division, and the expansion Mighty Ducks of Anaheim joined.
In addition to the Ducks, the Pacific featured the Calgary Flames, Edmonton Oilers, Los Angeles Kings, San Jose Sharks and Vancouver Canucks.
The Flames were the first team to win a Pacific Division title, capturing it in both 1993-94 and 1994-95.
[edit] 1995-1998
The Pacific was expanded to seven teams in 1995 with the relocation of the Quebec Nordiques to Denver, Colorado as the Colorado Avalanche. The Avs won the division title all three years they were in the Pacific, along with becoming the first Stanley Cup champion to represent the Pacific in 1996.
[edit] 1998-present
In 1998, the NHL once again realigned, moving to a six division format. As a result, the Flames, Avalanche, Oilers and Canucks were split off into their own division, the Northwest Division. At the same time, the Winnipeg Jets relocated to Phoenix, Arizona to become the Phoenix Coyotes. Finally, the Dallas Stars moved in from the Central Division, giving the Pacific the alignment it retains to this day.
[edit] Season results
| Season | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 6th | 7th |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1993-94 | Calgary (97) | Vancouver (85) | San Jose (82) | Anaheim (71) | Los Angeles (66) | Edmonton (64) | |
| 1994-95 | Calgary (55) | Vancouver (48) | San Jose (42) | Los Angeles (41) | Edmonton (38) | Anaheim (37) | |
| 1995-96 | Colorado (104) | Calgary (79) | Vancouver (79) | Anaheim (78) | Edmonton (68) | Los Angeles (66) | San Jose (47) |
| 1996-97 | Colorado (107) | Anaheim (85) | Edmonton (81) | Vancouver (77) | Calgary (73) | Los Angeles (67) | San Jose (62) |
| 1997-98 | Colorado (95) | Los Angeles (87) | Edmonton (80) | San Jose (78) | Calgary (67) | Anaheim (65) | Vancouver (64) |
| 1998-99 | Dallas (114) | Phoenix (90) | Anaheim (83) | San Jose (80) | Los Angeles (69) | ||
| 1999-00 | Dallas (102) | Los Angeles (94) | Phoenix (90) | San Jose (87) | Anaheim (83) | ||
| 2000-01 | Dallas (106) | San Jose (95) | Los Angeles (92) | Phoenix (90) | Anaheim (66) | ||
| 2001-02 | San Jose (99) | Phoenix (95) | Los Angeles (95) | Dallas (90) | Anaheim (69) | ||
| 2002-03 | Dallas (111) | Anaheim (95) | Los Angeles (78) | Phoenix (78) | San Jose (73) | ||
| 2003-04 | San Jose (104) | Dallas (97) | Los Angeles (81) | Anaheim (76) | Phoenix (68) | ||
| 2004-05 | No season due to 2004-05 NHL lockout | ||||||
| 2005-06 | Dallas (112) | San Jose (99) | Anaheim (98) | Los Angeles (89) | Phoenix (81) | ||
- Green background denotes qualified for playoffs
[edit] Stanley Cup Winners produced
- 1996 - Colorado Avalanche
- 1999 - Dallas Stars
[edit] See also
- NHL Eastern Division
- NHL Western Division
- Adams Division
- Norris Division
- Patrick Division
- Smythe Division
- Atlantic Division (NHL)
- Central Division (NHL)
- Northeast Division (NHL)
- Northwest Division (NHL)
- Southeast Division (NHL)
