Hockey Teams in California: (NHL, AHL, ECHL, WSHL & NCAA)

hockey California teams
Share this:

The most often asked question about hockey teams is: What is the count of Hockey California teams? In California, how many hockey teams exist? The National Hockey League (NHL), American Hockey League (AHL), East Coast Hockey League (ECHL), and Western States Hockey League (WSHL) are American hockey leagues. Even so, California weather is warm but still, Ice hockey is quite popular on the west coast. For a long time, people have been hockey in this area. In this article, you’ll get all the necessary information regarding the Hockey California teams.

3 California hockey teams: 

Presently, California hockey team’s names are

  • Los Angeles Kings (also referred to as LA Kings)
  • Anaheim Ducks
  • San Jose Sharks

Besides New York, there will be three teams in California hockey teams in 2022.

1. The Los Angeles Kings (LA Kings):

The Los Angeles Kings are experts in hockey teams a, franchise located in Los Angeles. The team plays in the National Hockey League’s Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL).

The Los Angeles Kings joined the Hockey California teams when?

The Los Angeles Kings, established on June 5, 1967, emerged as one of the six teams and began play as a part of the 1967 NHL expansion. They participated in their first Hockey California teams season in 1967–1968 and made their entry into professional hockey.

The Los Angeles Kings play where?

The Crypto.com Arena is the home venue of the Los Angeles Kings. The Staples Center was the name of the venue from its opening in 1999 until 2021. The LA Kings arena, also known as Crypto.com Arena, can accommodate 18,230 hockey players. Before Crypto.com arena, the first LA Kings venue was The Forum. For its first thirty-two years, the club was based out of The Forum in Inglewood, California, USA.

Top LA Kings players:

By February 2023, the Hockey Hall of Fame had honored many former LA Kings players, namely Jari Kurri, Steve Shutt, Grant Fuhr, Larry Murphy, Billy Smith, Wayne Gretzky, Bob Pulford, Rob Blake, Harry Howell, Larry Robinson, Paul Coffey, Jarome Iginla, Luc Robitaille, Jake Milford, and Roger Neilson have received recognition.

Other important players in King’s past include Tyler Toffoli, Jonathan Quick, Dustin Brown, Jamie Storr, Jozef Stumpel, Mathieu Garon, Jarret Stoll, Mike Murphy, Terry Harper, Bernie Nicholls, Michael Cammalleri, Tony Granato, Kelly Hrudey, Butch Goring, Ian Laperriere, Bob Berry, Charlie Simmer, Alexander Frolov, Marty McSorley, Jake Muzzin, Alec Martinez, Dave Taylor, Lubomir Visnovsky.

 Who’s the LA Kings’ Owner?

The LA Kings are now owned by Edward Roski and Philip Anschutz. (1996–2024)

Owner History of the Los Angeles Kings:

The first owner of the Los Angeles was the Jack Kent Cooke From 1996 – 1979. Jerry Buss took ownership in 1980 – 1986 then Jerry Buss and Bruce McNall in 1987 – 1988, and Bruce McNall again 1989 – 1994. In 1995 Jeffery Sudikoff and Bruce were the owners, and in 1996 – 2024 Philips Anschutz and Edward Roski.

Sr. No.Owners Los Angeles KingsYears of Ownership
1Jack Kent Cooke1968-1979
2Jerry Buss1980-1986
3Jerry Buss and Bruce McNall1987-1988
4Bruce McNall1989-1994
5Jeffrey Sudikoff and Joseph Cohen1995
6Philip Anschutz and Edward Roski1996-2024
LA Kings owners list

2. The Sharks of San Jose:

The professional hockey teams in California are The San Jose Sharks in ice hockey based in San Jose. They play hockey in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a participant in the Western Conference’s Pacific Division.

The San Jose Sharks joined the NHL when?

In 1991, the San Jose Sharks were established, and in 1991 – 1992 they played in their first NHL season.

The current affiliates of the California hockey club are the San Jose Barracuda of the AHL and the Wichita Thunder of the ECHL.

Where do the Sharks of San Jose play?

The home field for the Sharks is the SAP Center. First opened in 1993, the location was known as, the San Jose Arena from 1993 to 2001, from 2001 – to 2002 as the Compaq Center, and from 2002 – 2003 HP Pavilion. San Jose Shark Arena often known as SAP Center can fit 17,562 hockey fans. The first San Jose Sharks stadium located in Daly City is named The Cow Palace.

San Jose Sharks Player List:

Sr. No.ForwardsDefendersGoal scorers
1Justin BaileyCalen AddisonMackenzie Blackwood
2Alexander BarabanovMatt BenningKaapo Kahkonen
3Ryan CarpenterKyle Burroughs
4Logan CoutureTy Emberson
5Anthony DuclairMario Ferraro
6William EklundJacob MacDonald
7Mikael GranlundNikita Okhotiuk
8Tomas HertlJan Rutta
9Mike HoffmanHenry Thrun
10Luke KuninMarc-Edouard Vlasic
11Kevin Labanc
12Scott Sabourin
13Givani Smith
14Nico Sturm
15Filip Zadina
16Fabian Zetterlund
San Jose Sharks Players

Top Players for the San Jose Sharks:

There are currently c in the Hockey Hall of Fame. Teemu Selanne, and Doug Wilson, Ed Belfour, Rob Blake, Igor Larionov, Sergei Makarov are these.

Some other notable San Jose players include:

The Hockey Hall of Fame presently has six former Sharks players. Ed Belfour, Doug Wilson, Rob Blake, Igor Larionov, Sergei Makarov, and Teemu Selanne are these people.

Other well-known San Jose players are:

As of now the Hockey Hall of Fame has six former Sharks players. These Players are Sergei Makarov, Teemu Selanne, and Doug Wilson, Ed Belfour, Rob Blake, Igor Larionov. 

Other well-known San Jose players are Martin Jones, Kelly Kisio, Tony Granato, Arturs Irbe, Matt Nieto, Douglas Murray, Dany Heatley, Milan Michalek, Joonas Donskoi, Nils Ekman, Christian Ehrhoff, Pat Falloon, and Melker Karlsson, Patrick Marleau, Joe Thornton, Joe Pavelski, Owen Nolan, Erik Karlsson, Vincent Damphousse, Timo Meier, Sandis Ozoliņsh, Marcus Ragnarsson, Alexander Korolyuk, Evander Kane, Marco Sturm, Mike Ricci, Bryan Marchment.

Who owns the San Jose Sharks?

 Current owners of The San Jose Sharks are Sharks Sports and Entertainment and Hasso 

Plattner. (2013 – 2014)

The Owners of the San Jose Sharks:

The first owners of the San Jose Sharks were Gordon Gund and George Gund III from 1992 – 2002, and then Greg Jamison took over as owner in the year 2003 and then joined Shark Sports and Entertainment from 2004 – 2012. Currently, Sharks Sports and Entertainment and Hasso Plattner own the team from 2013 to 2024.

Sr. No.Owner of San Jose SharksYears of Ownership 
1Gordon Gund and George Gund III1992-2002
2Greg Jamison2003
3Sharks Sports and Entertainment2004-2012
4Sharks Sports and Entertainment and Hasso Plattner2013-2024
San Jose Sharks owners list

3. Ducks of Anaheim

Based in Anaheim, California, the Anaheim Ducks team plays ice hockey professionally. The Ducks play in the Pacific division of the Hockey California teams and as a member of the Western Conference. Anaheim Ducks previously known as Mighty Ducks of Anaheim.

The Anaheim Ducks joined the Hockey California teams when?

The Walt Disney Company was founded by Anaheim Ducks the name Mighty Ducks of Anaheim. The Mighty Ducks of Anaheim is a moniker inspired by the 1992 movie The Mighty Ducks. The team played its first NHL season in 1993 – 94. In 2005, the company was sold to Henry and Susan Samueli by Walt Disney, and the name of the team was changed to the Anaheim Ducks before the 2006–07 NHL season.

The San Diego Gulls of the AHL and the Tulsa Oilers of the ECHL are the current affiliate teams.

Where do the Anaheim Ducks Play?

At the Honda Center, the Anaheim Ducks played their home game. In 1993 the venue was opened and the location was known as the Arrowhead Pond of Anaheim from 1992 – to 1996. From 1996 until 2006, it was known as the Pond of Anaheim. Honda Center is the new name of the Anaheim Ducks Stadium since 2016.

Anaheim Ducks arena also known as the Honda Center can accommodate 17,174 hockey fans.

List of Anaheim Ducks:

Sr. No.ForwardsDefense PlayerGoal scorers
1Leo CarlssonCam FowlerLukas Dostal
2Sam CarrickRadko GudasJohn Gibson
3Bo GroulxJackson LaCombe
4Adam HenriqueGustav Lindström
5Ross JohnstonIlya Lyubushkin
6Max JonesPavel Mintyukov
7Alex KillornUrho Vaakanainen
8Brett Leason
9Isac Lundestrom
10Brock McGinn
11Mason McTavish
12Jakob Silfverberg
13Ryan Strome
14Troy Terry
15Frank Vatrano
16Trevor Zegras
Anaheim Ducks Players

Anaheim Ducks Players

Top players on the Anaheim Ducks:

The two former Ducks players are Paul Kariya and Scott Niedermayar included in the Hockey Hall of Fame as of February 2023.

Other well-known Ducks players are Vatanen, Cam Fowler, Francois Beauchemin, Fredrik Andersen, Lubomir Visnovsky, Chris Kunitz, Saku Koivu, Viktor Fasth, Rickard Rakell, Vatanen, Cam Fowler, Francois Beauchemin, and Fredrik Andersen.

Who Is The Anaheim Ducks’ Owner?

Currently, Henry and Susan Samueli are the owners of the Anaheim Ducks (2005-2006).

Owners of the Anaheim Ducks:

From 1993 – 2024 Anaheim Ducks (Mighty Ducks of Anaheim)(Anaheim Mighty Ducks)  was owned by Walt Disney Company, and then Henry and Susan Samueli took ownership of the Anaheim Ducks from (2005 – 2004)

Sr. No.Anaheim Ducks ownersOwnership years
1The Walt Disney Company1993-2005
2Henry and Susan Samueli2005-2024
Anaheim Ducks owners list

Are the Hockey California teams competitors?

california teams competitors

Due to close geographic locations and participation in the Western Conference’s Pacific Division Hockey California teams are their natural rivals. Naturally, the clubs compete with one another to decide who the best team of states or cities is.

There has only been one postseason meeting between Los Angeles and Anaheim, with the Kings defeating the Ducks in all seven games during the second round of the 2013–14 season. Both clubs play in the same local television market and are based in southern California. The California freeway system connects their home rinks, which are about 25 miles (40 km) apart. Because of this, their rivalry is now called “The Motorway Face-Off.”

History of the Los Angeles and San Jose Playoff

Northern California hockey teams provide both players and fans with a wide range of interesting and dynamic options. The distance between North California is about 340 miles (547 kilometers) for Los Angeles and met in the first round of the 2010 – 2011 playoff with San Jose defeating the Kings in six games. The Kings won in seven games when they rematched in 2012 – 2013 the Western Conference Semifinals. After dropping the first three games, the Kings won seven games in a row in the 2013–14 playoffs. Then, in 2015–16, the Sharks won in five games to win the first-round match.

365 miles (587 kilometers) separate San Jose and Anaheim, where they met in the 2008–09 postseason. The Ducks won the first-round set in six games. The Sharks then received their comeuppance in 2017–18, defeating the Ducks in the opening round.

Which California hockey club has the most Stanley Cup victories?

Anaheim won the Stanley Cup in 2006–07, but Los Angeles Kings have won two—in 2011–12 and 2013–14. Although San Jose hasn’t won it yet, they are the only one of the three teams to have won the President’s Trophy in 2008–09 for being the best regular-season team in the league.

California Hockey Teams College League

California is home to several college teams. Junior hockey teams in California are competing in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and minor league clubs in the American Hockey League (AHL) and East Coast Hockey League (ECHL).

Read More: How Many Pro Hockey Teams Are There in California?

League of American Hockey (AHL):

  • Condors of Bakersfield

The Bakersfield Condors are a part of the NHL’s Edmonton Oilers. The Mechanics Bank Arena in Bakersfield, California is the venue for their home games.

  • Firebirds of Coachella Valley

The Toyota Arena in Ontario, California is home to the Ontario Reign, a team affiliated with the Los Angeles Kings.

  • The Ontario Reign:

The Toyota Arena in Ontario, California is home to the Ontario Reign, a team affiliated with the Los Angeles Kings.

  • The Gulls of San Diego:

The Anaheim Ducks are the San Diego Gulls’ parent team. The Gulls are based in San Diego, California, and their home arena is Pechanga Arena.

  • San Jose Barracuda:

The San Jose Barracuda, who are affiliated with the San Jose Sharks, hold their home games in San Jose, California’s Technology Credit Union Arena.

Hockey League on the East Coast (ECHL)

Even though there aren’t any ECHL teams in California anymore, their legacy lives on.

  • Condors of Bakersfield:

After moving, the Bakersfield Condors—who had previously played in the ECHL as the Bakersfield Fog—became the Norfolk Admirals.

  • Falcons of Fresno:

From 2003 until 2008, the Fresno Falcons were a well-known ECHL team that played in the Save Mart Center before going out of business.

  • Ice Dogs on Long Beach:

The Long Beach Ice Dogs were an ECHL team that played from 2003 to 2007.

NCAA, or National Collegiate Athletic Association:

College hockey in California is greatly supported by the state’s numerous universities, which support the sport’s development.

  • Lutheran University of California
  • Marymount University of Loyola
  • University of San Jose
  • Stanford College
  • Southern California University

California hockey team’s map

Easily navigate California’s hockey landscape with our all-inclusive map of the state’s hockey teams. Our map offers a visual guide to all the action on the ice, from local leagues and junior teams to the NHL’s top contenders. Our map is the ultimate resource for learning about the best hockey in California, whether you’re a die-hard fan or a player trying to join a team.”

Hockey’s popularity in California

In California, hockey is becoming the most popular, although not being as well-known as basketball, baseball, or football. The success of collegiate programs, AHL teams, and Hockey California teams has increased interest in the sport in the state in recent years. In particular, Wayne Gretzky’s tenure with the Los Angeles Kings influenced California’s hockey culture.

Conclusion

In conclusion, California proves to be a growing center for ice hockey in addition to being a sun-drenched haven. The wide range of teams—from Hockey California teams heavyweights to AHL contenders—creates a vivid image of the sport’s enduring appeal in the region. As long as fans keep appreciating the brilliance these teams showed Hockey California teams, California’s hockey history is expected to continue and grow.

Read More: How many hockey teams are in California?

FAQs about Hockey California teams

Which three professional hockey clubs are based in California?

The three Hockey California teams are the Anaheim Ducks, Los Angeles Kings, and San Jose Sharks.

Which professional league do these teams play in?

The Hockey California teams are the top professional ice hockey league in North America and are home to all three of these franchises.

Does California have any other professional hockey teams?

No, these three teams are all that represent professional hockey in California.

What notable successes have these teams had?

Yes, without a doubt. In 2007 the Anaheim Ducks won the Stanley Cup, the Los Angeles Kings did the same in 2012 and 2014, while the San Jose Sharks qualified for the playoffs every year and advanced to the Stanley Cup Finals in 2016.

Does California have any college or minor league hockey teams?

Yes. Numerous minor league teams, including the San Diego Gulls, Ontario Reign, and Stockton Heat, are based in California. In addition, collegiate teams like Stanford University and University of California, Berkeley are participating in the NCAA Division I.

About David Ornil

About the Author: David Ornil is the founder and publisher of icebrek.com, specializing in insightful articles about sports. With years of experience in content writing, David is passionate about delivering accurate and engaging content

View all posts by David Ornil →

16 Comments on “Hockey Teams in California: (NHL, AHL, ECHL, WSHL & NCAA)”

  1. I think that a foreclosures can have a important effect on the debtor’s life. Home foreclosures can have a Six to a decade negative effect on a applicant’s credit report. The borrower having applied for home financing or almost any loans for instance, knows that your worse credit rating is actually, the more difficult it is to get a decent financial loan. In addition, it could affect a new borrower’s power to find a reasonable place to lease or rent, if that will become the alternative real estate solution. Interesting blog post.

  2. It is appropriate time to make some plans for the future and it’s time to be happy. I’ve read this post and if I could I wish to suggest you few interesting things or advice. Maybe you could write next articles referring to this article. I wish to read even more things about it!

  3. There are some interesting cut-off dates on this article but I don抰 know if I see all of them middle to heart. There is some validity however I’ll take maintain opinion till I look into it further. Good article , thanks and we would like more! Added to FeedBurner as nicely

  4. One thing I have actually noticed is the fact that there are plenty of common myths regarding the financial institutions intentions whenever talking about property foreclosures. One misconception in particular is the bank prefers to have your house. The bank wants your hard earned money, not your property. They want the cash they lent you along with interest. Staying away from the bank will still only draw the foreclosed final result. Thanks for your publication.

  5. This design is steller! You definitely know how to keep a reader entertained. Between your wit and your videos, I was almost moved to start my own blog (well, almost…HaHa!) Wonderful job. I really enjoyed what you had to say, and more than that, how you presented it. Too cool!

  6. Just want to say your article is as amazing. The clarity in your post is simply spectacular and i can assume you are an expert on this subject. Fine with your permission let me to grab your feed to keep up to date with forthcoming post. Thanks a million and please carry on the gratifying work.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *