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Fandom 250 preview: The best NHL fandoms in the world

By Mike Dyce

CHICAGO, IL - FEBRUARY 18: A general view of the Chicago Blackhawks and Edmonton Oilers players and fans during the singing of the national anthem prior to the start during of a game between the Edmonton Oilers and the Chicago Blackhawks on February 18, 2017, at the United Center in Chicago, IL. The Edmonton Oilers defeated the Chicago Blackhawks by the score of 3-1. (Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - FEBRUARY 18: A general view of the Chicago Blackhawks and Edmonton Oilers players and fans during the singing of the national anthem prior to the start during of a game between the Edmonton Oilers and the Chicago Blackhawks on February 18, 2017, at the United Center in Chicago, IL. The Edmonton Oilers defeated the Chicago Blackhawks by the score of 3-1. (Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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Fandom 250 is the annual ranking of the best 250 fanbases in the world, and here are the eight NHL teams that made the list in 2017.

Hockey is an intriguing sport. It’s part soccer with it’s widespread international appeal in the northern hemisphere. The NHL is filled with players from all over the world.

It toes the ine between fringe and main stream sports. When compared to the other Big 4 sports, NFL, NBA, MLB, it comes in last. ESPN and other media networks are routinely criticized for undercovering the sport.

But the fanbases are just as large, and passionate as anyother sport and the NHL fans deserve recognition amongst the best in the world.

Here are the eight NHL fandoms — unranked and in alphabetical order — you can expect to see on the Fandom 250 this year:

  • Chicago Blackhawks
  • Detroit Red Wings
  • Edmonton Oilers
  • Montreal Canadiens
  • Nashville Predators
  • New York Rangers
  • Pittsburgh Penguins
  • Toronto Maple Leafs

Check back on December 12 to see where each star’s fandom ranks.

Fan Vote

As we put together our rankings, we want to hear from you. Who do you think has the best fans in this category? Let us hear from you on social media. Use the #Fandom250 hashtag, submit your photos and videos on Twitter and Instagram and @FanSided and tell us why your fanbase is the best.

Also, take part in our Reader Vote and let our editors know why your fan base is the best in the comments below!

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What is the FanSided Fandom 250?

The Fandom 250 is the ultimate ranking of fandoms. From sports teams and movie franchises to Instagram celebrities and brands, if something has an avid, sometimes rabid, fanbase, FanSided wants to honor those fans and — in the spirit of healthy competition — rank ‘em.

The Fandom 250 is divided into 16 categories: NBA, MLB, NFL, NHL, Soccer, NCAA, Sports Figures, Celebrities, Music, Movies, TV Shows, Comics, Gaming, Brands, Internet Famous and Other. All 250 qualifying fandoms will be ranked both within their categories and against the field, so fans can see how the object of their devotion stacks up against its peers and in the fan landscape at large.

Qualifying fandoms will be announced by category every Tuesday through early December, with the official ranking — and the big reveal of No. 1 fandom — announced on Dec. 12.

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