The National Ice Hockey League (NHL) is a professional ice hockey league in North America, consisting of 32 teams. It was founded in 1917 and is widely regarded as the premier ice hockey league in the world. The league features teams from both the United States and Canada, with the most successful franchises including the Montreal Canadiens and the Toronto Maple Leafs. The NHL season typically runs from October to April, followed by the playoffs, which culminate in the Stanley Cup Finals. The league is known for its high level of competition and has produced many legendary players, such as Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux.