There have a been a number of Canadian sports teams that have performed well in professional U.S. sports, with some finding a lot more success than others. The list below includes 8 of the most successful Canadian teams in U.S. sports. These teams represent Canadian cities participating in U.S. professional sports leagues that have managed to win championships in their respective leagues.
While most Americans will associate Canadian sports with hockey, Canada has proven to perform well in many other sports. As you read on, you will see that Canadian teams have won championships in soccer, basketball, and baseball as well. These are impressive accomplishments, as some of these U.S. professional sports leagues have some of the premier organizations in the world. The following 8 Canadian sports teams are the most successful in U.S. sports history.
The List of the 8 Most Successful Canadian Teams in US Sports History
8. The Calgary Flames
Number of Championships: 1 Stanley Cup Championship
Professional League: NHL
Years Active: 50 Years
Year Founded: 1972
The Calgary Flames are a Canadian professional ice hockey team competing in the NHL. They are the eighth most successful Canadian team in U.S. sports history, winning 1 Stanley Cup in their 50 years as an organization. The Flames compete in the NHL as a member of the Pacific Division in the Western Conference.
The Calgary Flames was founded in 1972 in Atlanta as the Atlanta Flames. The team would relocate to Calgary in 1980. In the 1985–86 season, the Flames became the first Calgary team to compete for the Stanley Cup in over sixty years. In 1988–89, the Flames would win the Stanley Cup title.
Other team accomplishments include winning two Presidents’ Trophies and eight division championships. Notable players include Jarome Iginla, who is the franchise leader in games played, goals and points, as-well-as a two-time NHL leading goal scorer. There have also been eleven Flames players that have been inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.
7. The Toronto Raptors
Number of Championships: 1 NBA Championship
Professional League: NBA
Years Active: 27 Years
Year Founded: 1995
The Toronto Raptors are a Canadian professional basketball team competing in the NBA. They are the seventh most successful Canadian team in U.S. sports history, winning 1 NBA Championship in their 27 years as an organization. The Raptors compete in the NBA as a member of the Eastern Conference Atlantic Division.
The Toronto Raptors was founded in 1995, as the NBA expanded into Canada. The Vancouver Grizzlies were also part of the expansion, but they would relocate to Memphis at the end of the 2001 season. The Raptors struggled in their early years, but would eventually win their first Eastern Conference title and first NBA championship in 2019.
After the acquisition of Vince Carter in 1998, the franchise would make the NBA playoffs in 2000, 2001, and 2002, with Carter leading the team to their first playoff series win in 2001. In 2006, Chris Bosh would lead the team to the Atlantic Division Title. The Raptors have consistently been an NBA playoff team since 2013.
6. Toronto FC
Number of Championships: 1 MLS Cup
Professional League: MLS
Years Active: 17 Years
Year Founded: 2007
The Toronto FC are a Canadian professional soccer team competing in the MLS. They are the sixth most successful Canadian team in U.S. sports history, winning 1 MLS Cup in their 17 years as an organization. The Toronto FC compete in the MLS as a member of the Eastern Conference.
The team would join the MLS in 2007 as the first Canadian-based franchise in the league. The team is operated by Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, which also operates Toronto FC II, the Toronto Maple Leafs, and the Toronto Raptors. As of 2019, the club has an estimated value of $395 million, making them the fifth most valuable club in the league.
In 2017, Toronto FC would win their first MLS Cup, along with the Supporters’ Shield, and Canadian Championship, also known as the domestic treble. They are the eight-time Canadian Championship winners. They were also the runners-up of the 2018 CONCACAF Champions League, as well as the MLS Cup in 2016 and 2019.
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5. Toronto Blue Jays
Number of Championships: 2 World Series
Professional League: MLB
Years Active: 45 Years
Year Founded: 1977
The Toronto Blue Jays are a Canadian professional baseball team competing in the MLB. They are the fifth most successful Canadian team in U.S. sports history, winning 2 World Series in their 45 years as an organization. The Blue Jays compete in the MLB as a member club of the American League East division.
The club was founded in Toronto in 1977 as an expansion franchise. They are the second and currently the sole MLB franchise to be based outside of the United States. The Toronto Blue Jays would struggle at first, until eventually they would become World Series champions in 1992 and 1993. The team was led by All-Star players Roberto Alomar, Joe Carter, John Olerud, and Devon White.
As with most expansion teams, the club would struggle until they had their first winning season in 1983. Two years later, the Blue Jays would became division champions, becoming an AL East powerhouse and winning five division championships in nine seasons. The Blue Jays became the first and only team outside the U.S. to win a World Series, and the fastest AL expansion team to do so.
4. The Edmonton Oilers
Number of Championships: 5 Stanley Cup Championships
Professional League: NHL
Years Active: 50 Years
Year Founded: 1972
The Edmonton Oilers are a Canadian professional hockey team competing in the NHL. They are the fourth most successful Canadian team in U.S. sports history, winning 5 Stanley Cups in their 50 years as an organization. The Oilers compete in the NHL in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference.
The club was founded and played its first season in 1972. It was one of the twelve founding franchises of the major professional World Hockey Association. The team would subsequently join the NHL as one of four franchises absorbed through the NHL–WHA merger in 1979. The Oilers would go on to win the Stanley Cup five times in 1984, 1985, 1987, 1988, and 1990.
They are tied with the Pittsburgh Penguins for the most championships won by any team since the NHL-WHA merger. The Oilers have also won six straight division titles from 1982–1987. The Oilers team of this era have been honored with dynasty status by the Hockey Hall of Fame due to their success.
3. The Ottawa Senators
Number of Championships: 11 Stanley Cup Championships
Professional League: NHL
Years Active: 47 Years
Year Founded: 1883
The Ottawa Senators are a Canadian professional hockey team competing in the NHL. They are the third most successful Canadian team in U.S. sports history, winning 11 Stanley Cups in their 47 years as an organization. The Senators compete in the NHL in the Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference.
The club was originally founded in 1883, playing in the NHL from 1917 to 1934. This team had a famed history, winning 11 Stanley Cups. The team would fold, but after a two-year public campaign by Firestone, the NHL awarded a new franchise on December 6, 1990. This Senators team would begin play in the 1992–93 season.
Since then, the Senators have won four division titles, made 16 playoff appearances, and won the 2003 Presidents’ Trophy. They would also make an appearance in the 2007 Stanley Cup Finals, but lose to the Anaheim Ducks.
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2. The Toronto Maple Leafs
Number of Championships: 13 Stanley Cup Championships
Professional League: NHL
Years Active: 105 Years
Year Founded: 1917
The Toronto Maple Leafs are a Canadian professional hockey team competing in the NHL. They are the second most successful Canadian team in U.S. sports history, winning 13 Stanley Cups in their 105 years as an organization. The Maple Leafs compete in the NHL in the Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference.
The club was founded in 1917, operating initially as Toronto and then changing to the Toronto Arenas. The club was renamed to the Toronto St. Patricks in 1919 under new ownership. In 1927, the club was purchased again and renamed the Maple Leafs. The club was one of six NHL teams to have endured the Great Depression’s League retrenchment. To date, the Maple Leafs have won 13 Stanley Cup championships.
The Maple Leafs history includes two recognized dynasties. The first taking place from 1947 to 1951. The second occurring from 1962 to 1967. They have retired the number 13 in honor of 19 players. A number of individuals associated with the club have also been inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.
1. The Montreal Canadiens
Number of Championships: 24 Stanley Cup Championships
Professional League: NHL
Years Active: 113 Years
Year Founded: 1909
The Montreal Canadiens are a Canadian professional hockey team competing in the NHL. They are the most successful Canadian team in U.S. sports history, winning 24 Stanley Cups in their 113 years as an organization. The Canadiens compete in the NHL in the Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference.
The Canadiens have won the Stanley Cup 24 times, more than any other franchise, and with 23 victories since the founding of the NHL. The Canadiens also held the title for most championships of any major U.S. sports team until 1999, when the New York Yankees would win their 25th World Series title.
The Canadiens are currently the only existing NHL club to predate the founding of the NHL. The organization is also the longest continuously operating professional ice hockey team in the world, and one of the oldest North American professional sports franchises. The franchise is one of the original teams that made up the NHL.
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