Hosting Olympics Leads To Stanley Cup?

Whenever it comes to discussing interesting facts, no matter how ridiculous or minuscule they are, fans of teams will latch on to any that gives their team a greater chance of hoisting a championship at the end of the season.

When it comes to the Canucks one such interesting fact that might intrigue fans revolves around the Olympics.

There seems to be correlation between North American cities with NHL teams hosting the Olympics one year and then going on to win the Stanley Cup.

Let’s take a look at the stats, shall we?

In 1932, the Winter Olympics took place in Lake Plaid, New York. During the 1932-1933 NHL season, the New York Rangers won the Stanley Cup.

In 1980, Lake Placid once again hosted the Winter Olympics. This time it was the New York Islanders turn to bring home the cup as they won the 1980-1981 Stanley Cup.

Canadian cities have also gotten in on the fun. The Calgary Flames won the Stanley Cup during the 1988-1989 season after Calgary was home to the 1988 Winter Olympics. In 1976, Montreal hosted the Summer Olympics and then went on to win the Stanley Cup the following NHL season.

Only once has a North American Olympic host city with an NHL team not gone on to win the Stanley Cup. That was the Los Angeles Kings who didn’t win the Stanley Cup after L.A. hosted the Summer Olympics in 1984.

The Canucks hosted the Winter Olympics last year and are the best team in the NHL this season. Could the trend continue this year by having the Canucks win the Stanley Cup one year after being host to the 2010 Winter Olympics? Only time will tell…