Hockey has developed from its early European and North American outdoor games to become a global sport played in indoor arenas. The following collection of historical photographs displays the different ways this popular sport has changed throughout its history.
Early European origin
The true origin of hockey is established in 18th-century England despite multiple Canadian cities and republics claiming to be its birthplace. It is reported by The Hockey News that evidence showing that the first hockey games took place as far back as the 1790s is provided by a book written by three members of the Society for International Hockey Research.
The name "hockey" was derived from the puck used by the English in these early games, which was made from a cork bung used as a stopper in Hock Ale beer casks.
First organized game in Montreal
The Hockey Writers report that the first organized hockey game occurred in Canada, unsurprisingly in Montreal, way back on March 3, 1875. The teams, which contained nine players each from two local teams, took the ice at Victoria Skating Rink. Historical consensus places the first game in Canada at this location in Montreal, despite Halifax and Windsor, Nova Scotia, making their own claims to be the site of the first game.
First hockey team formed in 1877
The McGill website states that the first organized hockey team in the world became the McGill men's hockey team to have its inaugural match played on January 31 1877 against a group of Montreal skaters, lacrosse and football players.
The team, which later became known as the Redmen, played according to rules that had been established two years earlier in 1875 when a bully was called the faceoff and a ball was still referred to as the puck.
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The “Stanley Cup” is first awarded in 1893
The Hockey Writers report that the Dominion Hockey Challenge Cup, commonly known as the Stanley Cup, first presented it in 1893 to the Montreal Hockey Club. Lord Stanley of Preston, who was the Governor General of Canada at that time, purchased the Cup during his London visit and chose to give it to the top amateur hockey team in Canada.
Pro teams gained permission to receive Lord Stanley's Mug in 1926 and the NHL playoff champion has received the trophy ever since that time.
Goalies start using leg pads
It was reported by The Hockey Writers that leg pads were first introduced as goalie equipment by George Merritt of the Winnipeg Victorias during the year 1896. Cricket pads were used by him as knee protection when they were strapped to his legs during the Stanley Cup challenge. Other netminders would follow suit and leather or canvas gloves were later added for their hands.
The modern hockey net makes its debut
The contemporary hockey net was created by William Fairbrother from Lincoln, Ontario, during the 1890s, as reported by the newspaper Niagara This Week. A solution was invented by Fairbrother to decide puck goals by using a fishing net which was attached by him between the goalposts. The modern hockey net design we know today emerged after a method was developed by him to fasten the net to an ice rink.
First fully professional league
The International Professional Hockey League, which operated from 1904 to 1907, established itself as the first complete professional hockey league, according to Hockey Central. The three Michigan cities of Calumet, Houghton, and Sault St. Marie, together with Pittsburgh and Sault Ste. Marie in Ontario established their respective franchises.
The IPHL transformed senior men's hockey because professional players faced opposition from leagues that prohibited them from receiving salaries.
Hockey becomes an Olympic sport in 1920
The International Professional Hockey League, which operated from 1904 to 1907, established itself as the first complete professional hockey league, according to Hockey Central. The three Michigan cities of Calumet, Houghton, and Sault Ste. Marie, together with Pittsburgh and Sault Ste.
Marie in Ontario established their respective franchises. The IPHL transformed senior men's hockey because professional players faced opposition from leagues that prohibited them from receiving salaries.
The NHA is formed, new rules added
Modern hockey developed through the establishment of the National Hockey Association which took place in 1910. Canadiens.com states that the NHA implemented major alterations to the sport by changing the game structure from two 30-minute periods to three 20-minute periods and reducing the number of active players from seven to six while eliminating the rover position.
The National Hockey League is born in 1917
The National Hockey League began its existence in 1917 but its creation process occurred in secret. Sports Illustrated reports that NHL franchise owners reached a deadlock with difficult Toronto owner Eddie Livingstone because they wanted to expel him from the league but they had to shut down the league and create their new organization, which became the National Hockey League.
The Stanley Cup championship of that year went to Toronto after the team which lacked a nickname at that time defeated the Vancouver Millionaires in three out of five games.
