The National Hockey Association reference article from the English Wikipedia on 24-Apr-2004
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National Hockey Association

 This article is part of the 
evolution of the NHL series.
 Amatuer Hockey Association (1893-1898)
 Canadian Amateur Hockey League (1899-1905)
 Eastern Canada Amateur Hockey League (1906)
 Eastern Canada Amateur Hockey Association (1907-1909)
 Canadian Hockey Association (1909-1910)
 National Hockey Association (1910-1917)
 National Hockey League (1917-present)

The National Hockey Association (January 5th, 1910 - November 22, 1917) was a professional ice hockey organization with teams in Ontario and Quebec, Canada. It originated from the Eastern Canada Amateur Hockey Association which dates back to 1906. The ECAHA in turn originates from the Canadian Amateur Hockey League which originates from the first "professional" Ice Hockey league, the Amateur Hockey Association which was created in 1893.

The following were the NHA teams and their year of inception:

Champions

See also:
National Hockey League, Stanley Cup