The original name of the National Hockey League (NHL) when it was formed in 1917 was the National Hockey Association (NHA). The NHA was created to govern professional ice hockey in Canada, but it faced numerous challenges, leading to its dissolution and the establishment of the NHL as a successor. The NHL has since evolved into one of the most prominent professional sports leagues in the world, featuring teams from both Canada and the United States. It has played a significant role in popularizing ice hockey globally.