Why did the two conferences used to be called the wales and campbell conferences?

Question

It changed to the eastern and western conferences in 1994 and i didn't start watching hockey until '98. Also why were the divisions called Patrick, Adams, Norris and Smythe?

Answer 1

The Conferences and Divisions were named after these people:

Wales Conference (now the Eastern Division): Prince Edward of Wales (later King Edward VIII)

Campbell Conference (now the Western Division): Clarence Campbell

Patrick Division: Lester Patrick (Lester Patrick trophy given for outstanding service to hockey in the US)

Adams Division: Charles Adams

Norris Division: James Norris (James Norris trophy given for defenseman of the year)

Smythe Division: Conn Smythe (Conn Smythe trophy given for Playoff MVP)

Answer 2

Shortly after Clarence Campbell announced his intention to retire in 1973 (He gave 3 years notice), the NHL's Board of Governors looked at ways to commemorate him. After several months of commisserating, it was decided that with the addition of the Kansas City Scouts and Washington Capitals, that a massive realignment was due. This re-alignment involved the renaming of the Conferences and the Divisions. The Divisions were named after the Patrick family (to recognize the family's contribution to the early NHL), Conn Smythe (there is a belief that Stafford may have paid for this), Charles and Jack Adams (for his contribution to the game), and the Norris family (for their contribution to the growth of the game in the United States). The Conferences were named in honour of Clarence Campbell as outgoing President and the Prince of Wales donated a trophy (and some moola)

In 1980, John Ziegler and the Board of Governors decided that travel costs were getting prohibitive and the teams were re-aligned into Geographical areas, and interdivisional play became key with each team playing each team in their own division 8x, and then each other team 3x. This interdivisional rivalry exists to this day (with some tweaks to compensate for the increase in teams).

In 1992, John Ziegler announced that with the addition of the Anaheim Mighty Ducks and the Florida Panthers, the NHL would be undergoing another re-alignment and the Conference and Division Names would be changed beginning. (People think this is a Gary Bettman thing, but Gil Stein was the President when it actually happend

To KTM07
James Patrick was a solid defencemen in the 1980s and 1990s, not a legendary coach
James Norris was the owner of the Detroit Red Wings, not a legendary coach.

To ZapCity
Gil Stein wanted to rename the trophies with more generic names as well because he felt that American fans were unable to associate the name of the trophy to what it was for. This idea didn't have any support with the NHLPA or the Owners. Keep in mind, this is also the same guy that inducted himself into the Hockey Hall of Fame and wrote a book about it blaming others.

To Stopagoal amd MotherTrucker
The Division and Conference names were changed a year and half BEFORE Bettman was hired, and went into effect his first year on the job. Can't blame Bettman for this one.

As a sidenote, I find it funny that a league with a 90 year history uses historical divisional names for 18 seasons (20% of it's history) and people cry foul because what is used the majority of the time is 'wrong'.

Secondly, aside from 1967-68 to 1980-81 (14 years out of 90), the league has used a geographical basis for it's divisional alignments.

Answer 3

As for the divisions, Patrick was named after James Patrick who was a legendary coach, Adams was for Jack Adams [also named for coach of the year] `Norris was for legendary coach James Norris and Smythe was for Conn Smythe [the same for Playoff MVP]
As for the conferences, the Prince of Wales conference was named in the 1974-75 season. The Campbell trophy was named for Clarence Campbell who was the NHL President from 1946-1977. From 1981-82 this trophy was given to the winner of the Western Conference before the Stanley Cup Finals
In 1924 The Prince of Wales himself donated the trophy which is now the Eastern Conference Championship.

Answer 4

The power brokers of the NHL had such a fixation on the past that naming non-geographic divisions after some mid-level executives seemed sensible. Which led to the same for the conferences.

Answer 5

The Conferences and Divisions used to have names that gave a nod to hockey history.

Then Gary Bettman came in and proceeded to ruin the NHL.

Answer 6

The divisions and conferences were named after key historic figures in the league's history, much like its trophy names.

Unlike the trophies, the divisions and conferences were renamed as a result of a league belief that more generic geographic monikers would be easier for 'average' fans to remember and follow.

Personally, the uniqueness of the sport is what initially attracted me to it and I now have to lookup division names because 'Atlantic' and 'Northeast' mean nothing to me.

I don't think of myself as a purist, but I do consider that decision as the beginning of the end for the NHL I knew and loved.

Answer 7

Not much of a hockey follower, but I found these on Wikipedia if it helps. From the sounds of it, the NHL was rearranged in 1974. The teams were scattered, so they did not necessarily come from one particular region as they do now.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_Conference_%28NHL%29

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_Conference_%28NHL%29

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clarence_S._Campbell

Answer 8

...and honestly, the NHL should go back to it's roots and return those names again...

And if they needed a few more names to accomidate 3 divisions each, how about adding Bowman and Brooks, in honor of Herb Brooks and Scotty Bowman?

Answer 9

they should go back but bettman has his "everyone understands" theory so he changes it to eastern and western.

Answer 10

yeah What every1 else said