The Pittsburgh Pirates one of two new American teams to join the NHL a year after the Boston Bruins became the first American based NHL team. The Pirates roots go back to 1915 when they were the Amateur Pittsburgh Yellowjackets.

The Yellowjackets played in the USAHA (United States Amateur Hockey Association. ) After winning the USAHA Championship in 1924 and 1925, the Yellowjackets are sold to attorney James F.

Callahan who wanted to get the team into a professional league. The NHL would grant the renamed Pirates "semi-expansion" status their first season.

On November 26th, the Pirates, who had ten former Yellowjackets on their roster, beat the Boston Bruins on the road in their very first game. Two nights late, the Pirates would stun the Canadiens in Montreal 1-0 in what would end up being legendary Habs goalie George Vezina's final game.

The Pirates, who were the first team to change players on the fly, would go on to finish in third place with a record of 19-16-1. In the playoffs, the Pirates would be beaten by the eventual Stanley Cup Champion Montreal Maroons.