What Is the Longest Road Trip in NHL History?

By Robert Palmer

Road trips are a common occurrence in the National Hockey League (NHL). Teams hit the road for weeks at a time, traveling from city to city to play games against opponents in different arenas.

But have you ever wondered what the longest road trip in NHL history was? Let’s take a look.

The Record-Breaking Trip

In the 2011-2012 season, the Vancouver Canucks set an NHL record by embarking on a 14-game road trip that spanned over 42 days. The trip was necessary due to their home arena, Rogers Arena, being used for the 2010 Winter Olympics and subsequent renovations.

The Details

The Canucks started their journey on January 30th, 2012, with a game against the Phoenix Coyotes. They traveled over 18,000 miles during this trip and played games in 13 different cities across North America.

The Outcome

Despite being on the road for more than six weeks, the Canucks had an impressive performance. They won eight of their 14 games and earned points in ten of them. This successful road trip helped solidify their position as one of the top teams in the league that season.

Other Notable Long Road Trips

While Vancouver’s record-breaking trip may stand out as the longest in NHL history, there have been other notable long road trips throughout league history.

  • The San Jose Sharks went on a nine-game road trip during the 1993-1994 season.
  • The Edmonton Oilers embarked on an eight-game road trip during the 1987-1988 season.
  • The Detroit Red Wings went on an eight-game road trip during both the 1971-1972 and 1974-1975 seasons.

Conclusion

While NHL road trips can be tough on players and staff, they are a necessary part of the season. The Vancouver Canucks hold the record for the longest road trip in NHL history, with their 14-game trip spanning over 42 days during the 2011-2012 season. However, other teams have also endured lengthy trips and still managed to perform well on the ice.