West Division (NHL)

The West Division of the National Hockey League existed from 1967 until 1974 when the league realigned into two conferences of two divisions each.

In 1967 the NHL doubled in size, going from six teams to twelve. The Original Six, as the pre-1967 teams became retroactively known, were grouped into the East Division, while the expansion teams were placed into the new West Division. This was done in order to keep teams of similar competitive strength in the same division, regardless of geographic distance, and to ensure playoff revenue for the new franchises.

When the NHL expanded again in 1970, the two new teams, the Vancouver Canucks and Buffalo Sabres, were placed into the stronger East Division. In an effort to create more balanced competition, the Chicago Black Hawks were transferred into the West Division. When the NHL expanded again in 1972, each division was given one of the expansion clubs, with the New York Islanders joining the East Division and the Atlanta Flames joining the West Division.

West Division

West Division is a townland of 6,739 acres in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It is situated in the civil parish of Carrickfergus and the historic barony of Carrickfergus.

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References

West Division (WHA)

The WHA's West Division was formed in 1972. The division existed for five seasons until 1977. In 1972, the WHA was formed with 12 teams, split into two divisions of six teams each, with the other division being the East Division. The division existed until 1977, as the WHA decreased to only eight teams and divisions weren't used anymore.

Division lineups

1972–1973

1973–1974

Changes from the 1972–1973 season

1974–1975

West Division (OHL)

The OHL's West Division is one of four divisions in the league, and one of two divisions in the Western Conference. The division was created in 1994 as the OHL underwent a realignment that saw the league go from two divisions to three. The teams creating the West Division in 1994 were the Detroit Junior Red Wings, London Knights, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds and Windsor Spitfires from the Emms Division, while the Newmarket Royals relocated and became the Sarnia Sting, who were in the Leyden Division.

In 1995, the Detroit Junior Red Wings were renamed to the Detroit Whalers, and remained in the West Division.

In 1997, the Detroit Whalers relocated and became the Plymouth Whalers, while the Erie Otters joined the division from the Central, giving the West Division six teams.

In 1998, the OHL underwent a realignment as the league grew to 20 teams, as a fourth division, the Midwest Division was added. The Erie Otters moved to the newly created Midwest Division, dropping the West Division to five teams. The West also joined the Midwest to make up the newly created Western Conference.

West Division (NAHL)

The West Division is one of four divisions in the North American Hockey League. The division currently has six teams and was formed in 2008 when the Wenatchee Wild became the fourth team required for a division. Prior to the 2010 expansion, only four teams operated in the West. The current champion of this division is the Wenatchee Wild.

Division membership

Current members

Former members

West Division (AFL)

The Western Division is one of four divisions that make up the Arena Football League. The Western Division was formed in 1992 when the AFL first split into three divisions. The League used only conferences in 1993 and 1994, but returned to division play in 1995.

Division lineups

1992

Creation of the Western Division. Arizona, Sacramento, and San Antonio are enfranchised. San Antonio folded in 1993 as the AFL realigned into the American/National conference format, suspending the Western Division (for two years) as well. Also in the 1993 season, Sacramento Attack joined the National Conference as they move to Miami, Florida as the Hooters.

1995

The Western Division returned as an American Conference division. San Jose SaberCats enfranchised.

1996

Las Vegas moved to Anaheim as the Piranhas. Minnesota Fighting Pike enfranchised.