In 1917 the Seattle Metropolitans of the Pacific Coast Hockey-League became the first American ice hockey team to win the Stanley Cup The Pa- Coast Hockey League, which consisted of the Portland Rosebuds, Vancouver Millionaires, Victoria Cougars, New Westminsters Royals,.Spokane Canaries, and Seattle Metropolitans, was founded by Ontario-born hockey players Frank and Lester Patrick in 1911 The Patricks built the Pacific Coast Hockey League by raiding National Hockey Association teams and paying players higher salaries In 1916 the Portland Rosebuds played in the Stanley Cup finals against the Montreal Canadiens but did not win In 1919 Seattle met the Montreal Canadiens once again for the Stanley Cup, but the series was not completed because of an influenza epidemic that swept across North America

Source:

Frank G Menke, The Encyclopedia of Sports fourth revised edi tion (New York Barnes 1969).