Hockey's Surprising Origin
While ice hockey is quintessentially Canadian, its origins may trace back to games played by Mi'kmaq Indians and British soldiers in Nova Scotia.
The Stanley Cup History
The Stanley Cup, awarded to NHL champions, was donated in 1892 by Lord Stanley of Preston, the Governor General of Canada, originally as an amateur trophy.
First Professional League
The first recognized professional hockey league was the International Professional Hockey League, established in 1904, with teams in the United States and Canada.
Hockey Pucks' Evolution
Early hockey games used frozen cow dung as pucks. Today's standard puck was only adopted in the late 19th century after various materials were tried.
The Mask Revolution
Goalie masks weren't common until 1959 when Jacques Plante of the Montreal Canadiens popularized their use after being struck in the face by a puck.
Women's Hockey Ascends
Women's ice hockey dates back to the 1890s but only gained international recognition with the first IIHF Women's World Championship in 1990.
Rink Size Variations
Not all hockey rinks are the same size. Olympic rinks are larger (100 by 60 feet) compared to NHL rinks (85 by 200 feet), affecting game play and strategy.Goalies' Odd Superstition
Some NHL goalies have a superstition of not stepping on the red line during warm-ups to avoid bad luck.
Where did ice hockey originate?
Canada only
Nova Scotia games
United States
Company
