The National Hockey League underwent a massive period of growth during the 1990s. At the 1989 Board of Governors meeting, the league put forward the goal to expand from 21 clubs to 28 by the turn of the century.
In the early 90s, the league added the San Jose Sharks, Ottawa Senators, Tampa Bay Lightning, Florida Panthers, and Mighty Ducks of Anaheim to the family. It also saw the movement of the Minnesota North Stars to Dallas, the Quebec Nordiques to Colorado, Winnipeg Jets to Phoenix, and Hartford Whalers to North Carolina.
The facelift was completed in 1997.