The Boston Bruins first joined the league back in 1924 as the first U.S. based professional hockey franchise. They are one of the "Original Six" teams in the NHL, which includes the Montreal Canadiens, Toronto Maple Leafs, Detroit Red Wings, Chicago Blackhawks, and the New York Rangers.
In 1924, at the convincing of Boston grocery tycoon Charles Adams, the NHL decided to expand to the United States. Adams had fallen in love with hockey while watching the 1924 Stanley Cup Finals between the NHL champion Montreal Canadiens and the WCHL champion Calgary Tigers. He persuaded the NHL to grant him a franchise for Boston, which occurred on November 1, 1924. With the Montreal Maroons, the team was one of the NHL's first expansion teams.