If you’re a Millennial, you probably love one of these hockey teams

While hockey may only be the fourth most popular sport in the United States, millions of people still watch it annually. Since the first indoor hockey game took place in 1875, the number of fans has grown every year, especially among millennials, who see it as a great alternative to the slower pace of baseball and the tighter schedule of the NFL .

For millennials, or those born between 1981 and 1996, the most popular ice hockey teams might be the teams you grew up with. Alternatively, it could be the team their parents grew up with and that love has been passed down. To get a concrete answer about the most popular teams, we turn to YouGovwhich listed the most popular hockey teams with millennials in descending order.

Why is this important?

Hockey has steadily grown in popularity since its Olympic victory in the 1980s.

With the NHL expected to generate nearly $6.5 billion in revenue as a league in 2023, there is a lot of focus on sponsorship revenue. Sponsorship revenue totaled more than $1.5 billion, including support from brands like Discover, Pepsi, Kraft Heinz, Amazon Web Services and many more brands we cover regularly on 24/7 Wall St., which what makes this topic worth writing about.

15. Tampa Bay Lightning

The Tampa Bay Lightning are enjoying a successful playoff streak right now.

• Percentage of millennials with a favorable opinion: 42%

In somewhat of a surprise for such a hot city, Tampa Bay is one of the most popular with hockey fans, even with year-round sunshine. Rest assured the Tampa Bay Lightning are making the most of the city. Winning two Stanley Cup titles in the past five years, the Lightning have made millennial fans with each new season as the team continues to win year after year.

14. New Jersey Devils

The New Jersey Devils have a fun rivalry with the two New York teams.

• Percentage of millennials with a favorable opinion: 42%

Founded in 1974, the New Jersey Devils bounced between Kansas City and Colorado before landing in New Jersey in 1982. Since then, the team has made the most of its location, winning three Stanley Cup titles and 5 conference championships. The team’s rivalry with the Islanders and Rangers has undoubtedly become a favorite among millennials who enjoy watching the team play every season.

13. Minnesota Wild

The Minnesota Wild are located in the heart of hockey country.

• Percentage of millennials with a favorable opinion: 43%

The Wild is a professional hockey team from the Saint Paul area that has been in the league since 2001. Formed after the North Stars moved to Dallas, the Wild needed just two seasons to reach the Stanley Cup, only to lose in front of Mighty. Ducks. However, with 13 different playoff appearances, the Wild have earned a legion of millennial fans in the hockey-crazy state of Minnesota.

12. Pittsburgh Penguins

The Pittsburgh Penguins have been home to some of the biggest names in hockey.

• Percentage of millennials with a favorable opinion: 43%

Entering the league in 1967, the Pittsburgh Penguins made the most of their time there. Winning the Stanley Cup five times, including wins in 2016 and 2017, the team is among the first to win back-to-back Stanley Cup titles. With big-name players like Mario Lemieux, Jaromir Jagr and Sidney Crosby, the Penguins have more than earned the support of millennials across the country.

11. Dallas Stars

The Dallas Stars last won the Stanley Cup in 1999.

• Percentage of millennials with a favorable opinion: 43%

Another team that entered the league in 1967, the Dallas Stars originally played out of Minnesota before moving to Dallas in 1993-94. Winners of nine division titles and two Presidents’ Trophies, the team won the Stanley Cup once in 1999 and has since appeared in the title series five times.

10. Philadelphia Flyers

The Philadelphia Flyers have a strong fan base in one of the craziest sports cities around.

• Percentage of millennials with a favorable opinion: 44%

Part of the NHL’s 1967 expansion era, the Philadelphia Flyers have undoubtedly found a home in the sports-crazy city. In addition to its rivalries with the New York Rangers, Islanders and Boston Bruins, the Flyers even had a rivalry with the Washington Capitals, making every game against these opponents fun to watch for the team’s millennial fan base.

9. New York Rangers

The New York Rangers are one of the most famous teams in the NHL.

• Percentage of millennials with a favorable opinion: 44%

The second of two professional hockey teams in New York City, the New York Rangers play at the famous Madison Square Garden. Founded in 1926, the team is also one of the six original clubs that formed the NHL. Winners of four Stanley Cups, the team gained significant popularity in the 1990s when they won the President’s Trophy four times behind the play of Mark Messier.

8. Minnesota Golden Gophers Hockey

The Minnesota Golden Gophers are one of the best college hockey programs in the country.

• Percentage of millennials with a favorable opinion: 44%

The Minnesota Golden Gophers are the most popular college ice hockey team in millennia. It shouldn’t be a surprise considering this team is one of the most storied hockey programs in NCAA history with 41 tournament appearances. If you’re a millennial who loves hockey at all levels, there’s a good chance you’ve been to at least one Golden Gophers game.

7. Detroit Red Wings

The Detroit Red Wings posed with the Stanley Cup in 2008.

• Percentage of millennials with a favorable opinion: 44%

One of the original six teams that formed the NHL, the Detroit Red Wings were founded in 1926 when they were still known as the Detroit Cougars. As the American team that has won the most Stanley Cups in league history with 11, the Red Wings have developed a fiercely loyal millennial fan base despite being in a smaller overall market.

6. Toronto Maple Leafs

The Toronto Maple Leafs are one of the winningest teams in NHL history.

• Percentage of millennials with a favorable opinion: 45%

Founded in 1917, the Toronto Maple Leafs are one of seven Canadian teams in the NHL. As one of the six original club teams to form the NHL, the Maple Leafs have won 13 Stanley Cup championships, the second most in league history. The NHL even recognizes two periods when the Maple Leafs were considered dynasties from 1947 to 1951 and 1962 to 1967.

5. New York Island

The New York Islanders are one of three NHL teams in the area.

• Percentage of millennials with a favorable opinion: 45%

One of nine hockey teams considered a dynasty in the NHL, the New York Islanders won four Stanley Cups between 1980 and 1983. Since this coincides with the early years of the millennial generation, there is undoubtedly a correlation between the love of this team and his winning streak. The Isles won 19 consecutive playoff titles between 1980 and 1984, a feat that has never been duplicated in any sport.

4. Kings of Los Angeles

The Los Angeles Kings last won the Stanley Cup in 2012.

• Percentage of millennials with a favorable opinion: 46%

As one of the biggest names in hockey, the Los Angeles Kings surprisingly rank very high among millennials. The team was famously home to Wayne Gretzky for several seasons, which is undoubtedly credited for the team’s continued popularity among hockey fans of all ages. Winner of two Stanley Cups, even without another title, the Kings continue to fill their stadium every game with fans who love the team, win or lose.

3. St. Louis Blues

The St Louis Blues last celebrated a Stanley Cup victory in 2019.

• Percentage of millennials with a favorable opinion: 48%

One of six teams from the 1967 NHL expansion era that significantly expanded the league, the St. Louis Blues are big favorites among millennials. Part of that may be the team’s rivalry with the Chicago Blackhawks, but as is the case with the St. Louis Cardinals, the residents of this small town know how to show a lot of love for their professional sports teams.

2. Anaheim Ducks

Disney once owned the Anaheim Mighty Ducks.

• Percentage of millennials with a favorable opinion: 51%

Founded in 1993-94 as an expansion team, the Anaheim Ducks were previously owned by Disney and named for the 1992 film The Mighty Ducks. Fast forward to today and the team is the second most popular in the league with millennials. Even though they have only reached the Stanley Cup Finals twice in franchise history, the team has a lot of fans in the Millennium Arena.

1. Vegas Golden Knights

The Vegas Golden Knights won the Stanley Cup in their first season of play.

• Percentage of millennials with a favorable opinion: 52%

As the most popular hockey team with millennials, the Vegas Golden Knights have a lot of expectations to live up to. For a hockey team that was only founded in 2017, the team appearing at the top of this list for millennials is quite an accomplishment. The same could be said for the team winning the Stanley Cup in 2018 in its first season and then again in 2023. There is no doubt that the Vegas Golden Knights will continue to grow in popularity as the team’s success continues.

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