The History of Ice Hockey
From a cold weather adaptation of a popular stick and ball game to the packed arenas of today, ice hockey has evolved from a common pastime to an entire industry. While historians disagree on the exact origin of the game, land-based versions of hockey exist as far back as the middle ages. Games that involve chasing and hitting a ball with a stick exist in many different cultures, from Native American to Medieval English and Scottish.
Origins:
The sport we watch and play today began as immigrants to cold weather climates—primarily in Canada—struggled to adapt familiar games to an unfamiliar climate. The first indoor hockey games on record were played in the mid 1800s, while the first “official” set of ice hockey rules were published in an 1877 issue of the Montreal gazette. Today, many different provinces and towns lay claim to the “first” ice hockey game on record, but there is no clear winner.
Making it Official:
- In 1888, 11 years after the first rules of hockey were determined; a league of six teams was assembled in Canada. Surprising for the times, the first women’s ice hockey games began during this time period as well; though men’s teams would move on to dominate the sport.
- The Governor General of Canada, also known as Lord Stanley, donated a prize to the infant hockey league in 1893; the first team to win the coveted Stanley cup is from Montreal.
- Colleges and universities from the United States catch hockey fever in the last years of the decade; Canada still dominates the sport in its infancy, but hockey establishes a hold on the northern United States as well.
Early Years:
- In the early 1900s, individual teams and leagues form in Canada and specific regions of the U.S. the next two decades see a lot of shifting loyalties, as leagues are formed and disbanded. Early hockey leagues paved the way for today’s NHL, and included the Pacific Coast Hockey Association, the National Hockey Association and the International Hockey League.
- In 1920, ice hockey becomes an official Olympic sport – as part of the summer Olympics. Not surprisingly, Canada takes home the first gold. 4 years later, in 1924, ice hockey will be added to the roster of Winter Olympic games. Canada sails to an easy victory again.
- The “Original Six” hockey teams begin to play; by 1940, the Bruins, Blackhawks, Canadiens, Maple Leafs, Rangers and Red Wings have all taken to the ice as part of the growing NHL.
Middle Years and Miracles:
- While the Original Six teams will dominate hockey for over two decades, other cities begin adding professional teams. In 1972, the World Hockey Association is established, with teams from all over the world participating.
- Hockey screams into the mainstream media, when the underdog United States team defeats the Soviet Union and Finland to capture Gold in the 1980 Olympics. The “Miracle on Ice” propels the NHL to an all-time high in terms of interest and viewership.
- In the 80s and 90s, the NHL continues to add teams from diverse areas, including states more typically known for sunshine and beaches than ice. The Anaheim Ducks, San Jose Sharks, Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning join the NHL by 1993. While some of the new additions are better received than others, Tampa Bay will take home the Stanley Cup just over a decade later.
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Steven Elias is a freelance writer and currently runs a website on wedding photographers in Dallas Texas. Visit his site at www.thedallasweddingphotographers.net
