History of Ice Hockey
The game of ice hockey probably evolved from the game of field hockey that was
played in Northern Europe for hundreds of years. The modern version of ice-hockey
finds its origins in the rules laid down by a Canadian named J G Creighton. His rules
were implemented in the first game of ice hockey played in Montreal, Canada in the
year 1875.
In fact, the “rink” or the playing area for ice hockey was actually used in the game
called “curling” in Scotland during the 18th century. Initially there were as many as
thirty players for each side and the goals were two stones frozen on one end of the
ice. The rules for the game of ice hockey were drafted at McGill University in
Montreal, Canada in the year 1879. Ice hockey found its way to the US in the year
1893. By the early 1900s, the sport had become prevalent in parts of Europe
including the UK.
Hockey Stick History
The hockey stick was introduced in the early 1800s. The first stick was created of
wood with a flat blade. In the 1920s, hockey players began to tape their sticks to
increase the hold and strengthen the blade. The banana curve or the bend in the
blade which we see today was developed during the phase between the years 19571980. A certain player named Bobby Hull broke a stick at a practice match and
began to play around with the “bent” stick and found to his amazement that there
was far more accuracy in his shots. In the early 1980s, the sticks were formed of
metals. By the turn of the 21st century, there have been three types of hockey
sticks-wood, composite (reinforced wood sticks) and aluminum. The aluminum
hockey sticks are most often used today because of its light weight, durable nature
and replaceable blades.
Olympic Hockey History
The first year that Hockey was played in the Olympics was in the year 1908. Only
men were permitted to play the game. It was only in the year 1980, that women got
the opportunity to play Hockey in the Olympics. Ice hockey was played in early April
of 1920 as a part of the Olympic Summer Games in Antwerp, Belgium. The
tournament was also famous for being the first World Hockey Championship. Canada
was the clear cut winner in the championship. The first Olympic Winter Games are
held in Chamonix, France, in the year 1924 with Canada winning all five games.
Canadian Hockey History
Legend has it that a Canadian by the name of Pierre Lapin introduced the game of
ice-hockey. He would implement a crooked stick to help him walk comfortably over
the surface of the ice. This particular stick, also known as the first stick is now kept
in the Hockey Hall of Fame, Toronto. He swung the stick at a piece of a frozen
beaver bladder and came up with the idea of ice hockey. The bladder fell short of a
small bay which was an imitation of the goal post. Soon the whole idea developed
into a game of ice hockey and many people began to play the game of hockey on the
snow and icy area. The then Prime Minister Stanley Park decided to form a league of
talented player and offer a prize to the winning team. A tea pot was offered as the
prize. The prize soon began to set a trend for future games. In 1926, the National
Hockey League (NHL) emerged unquestionably as the top league in North America
and took official control of the cup. The tea-pot shaped prize now known as the
Stanley cup is the most coveted trophy in the world of ice-hockey.
What the First NHL Season was like?
The O’Brien Trophy was the league's championship trophy, which came from the
defunct National Hockey Association would be awarded to the winner of the NHL
playoffs. The winner of the O’Brien Trophy would then go on to play for the Stanley
Cup. This cup has been known throughout the NHL hockey history and will forever
be a part of the game. Even in the history of NHL players, the Stanley Cup has been
the most sought after item. In order to get the cup, the team that won the O’Brien
Trophy played in a series of games against other rival leagues. The Toronto Arenas
can boast forever that they won the first Stanley Cup in NHL hockey history by
winning three games out of five against the Vancouver Millionaires.
Who Started the NHL and why?
The 1917-1918 NHL season had a rough start. Right off the bat a team called the
“Bulldogs” backed out, followed by the Montreal Wanderers in January of 1918.
Being only a tiny part of what they once were, the Wanderers ended in one of the
most memorable way a franchise could back then.
There was another problem facing the newly formed NHL. The league was formed as
a result of a split of the NHA. Owners of the teams in this league were not happy
with Eddie Livingstone who owned the Toronto Blue Shirts. They did not invite
Livingstone to join the NHL, and this led to years and years of fighting and
bickering. The NHL leased Livingstone’s team, which played in the Toronto Arena.
When they won the Stanley Cup, Livingstone was not given the spoils of the victory.
Instead, his team was incorporated into a new club and named the Toronto Arenas.
As a result, Livingstone sued the league. In spite of this turmoil and confusion, the
NHL rose out of these humble beginnings to make their presence known in the world
of professional hockey. The history of the NHL had turmoil at the beginning, but, like
the game of hockey itself, the NHL rose out of the struggle to prevail.
Our Hockey Rules
6 players on the court per team:
1 Goalie – Stays in Crease
1 Center – May go Everywhere on Court
2 Forwards – Stay on Offense side of Half Court
2 Defenders – Stay on Defense side of Half Court
If More than 6 Players on Team – Subs will come in after every score takes place.
Face-offs – Blades 12 inches apart (one on each side of puck), Blades placed on
ground, both hands on stick. Touch blades together (1), back to ground, touch
blades together (2), back to ground, touch blades together (3), and than both go
after puck.
Freezing the Puck – holding or covering puck for 3 or more seconds. May occur with
Goalie, back side of goal – caught in net, or two or more players having the puck
against their feet for duration.
High Sticking – Any time the blade comes above the waist. Infraction of rules –
individual will sit out for 2 minutes to serve penalty, or if other team scores.
Hands – any player can catch the puck but must immediately place it on the ground
and consume play.
Face-Offs Take Place:
At Defensive End:
1) High Sticking
2) Off – Sides
3) In The Crease
Nearest Location:
1) Freezing of Puck
Both Hands on Stick to Pass and Shoot. One Hand on Stick – when catching puck,
Stopping a Pass, Dribbling the Puck, and Running
Short Handed Team – Teams play short handed for 2 minutes in the position that
player was ejected from or until the other team scores. If short handed team scores
the player does not return until their time has expired.
Penalties (Penalty Shot Taken): For the following: Tripping, Shoving, Spearing (with
end of Stick), or Slashing (Coming across opponents Stick on top).