The NHL is the first professional sports league to enter a contract for content and advertising with the site.

The agreement was announced a day after Google completed its $1.65bn purchase of YouTube, where more than 100 million video clips are viewed every day.

Under the deal, YouTube will identify and remove illegally posted NHL clips and share revenue from advertising.

The NHL will also have its own dedicated web channel on the site.

YouTube has also signed deals with TV networks CBS Corp. CBSa.N and NBC Universal as well as music companies Universal Music Group, Warner Music Group WMG.N and Sony BMG.