Hockey Origins Reference Database
by the members of the Hockey Origins Research Group
Hockey, like many sports, evolved over centuries and was influenced by several games, pastimes, groups and individuals from various parts of the world.
While many communities have long and rich histories involving the sport, and have undoubtedly contributed to the game's evolution, it is important to rely on documented facts when considering the origins of the game.
Many European activities that could be considered as precursors to modern hockey have been played on ice under a variety of names; Hockey, Hurley, Hurling, Bandy, Shinty and Shinny to name a few. The Mi'kmaw game of Alje'mamk played in what are now the Maritimes also bears consideration.
The Origins database contains hundreds of references to "stick and ball" type games dating back to ancient Egypt, and traces the evolution of play up to ice hockey as we know it today.
As a research organization, the SIHR shall not take a position on any debate related to hockey research, including claims on any possible birthplaces of the game. Members and the public are free to draw their own conclusions from these references.
What Was Early Canadian Hockey and What Does it Owe to Others?
A Research Paper by SIHR Founding member William Humber
What hockey was in Canada and where its origins lay can be roughly broken into three stages. At which point did hockey in Canada shirk off its informal style of one-off play with a gradual assumption of an organized, continuous, and reported existence? While recognizing that any date is at least somewhat arbitrary, Bill begins by looking at pre-1875 accounts. These are likely to be most honest in describing the game of hockey on ice and its influences.
Samples
1773 - First contemporary use of the word hockey
In 1773, a book with the curious title Juvenile Sports and Pastimes, to which are prefixed, Memoirs of the Author: Including a new mode of Infant Education, by Richard Johnson (pseud. Master Michel Angelo), was published by Thomas Carnan, in London, England.
This work includes the first known contemporary use of the word "hockey" - predating later records by 20 years - and also has the first known illustration of the game.
1797 - Earliest known depiction of a hockey player on ice
In 2010, a collector from the United States discovered the earliest known print or painting depicting not only hockey on skates but also the use of a bung (puck) on the ice.
The hand-colored stipple engraving has the inscription"London Published by J Le Petit 22 Suffolk Street, Middlesex Hospital 1st Sep 1797"and measures 4 3/8 (height) x 3 11/16 (width) inches.
It is on wove paper with no watermark and was found in an antique shop in Maine, USA.
1825 - Hockey on the Ice - Sir John Franklin - NWT, Canada
Sir John Franklin is best remembered for his surveys of the Arctic, having made four journeys to the region and mapping over 3000 miles of the northern Canadian coastline.
During this time, he made three references to skating and hockey on the ice at Fort Franklin (now Deline) during October of 1825.
Things to keep in mind when consulting these references
Referring to only one or few references can easily lead one to draw incorrect conclusions. It is important to review as many related references as possible to have a better understanding of the general context.
Some references are included only to show that a word was in common use and did not need to be explained to the reader. Example: Exotic travellers comparing native stick and ball games with bandy or hockey.
Even fictional works are of value as they explain the contemporary view of a subject in relation to the use of terms and how a game was practised.
A word of caution regarding memories; to be credible, terms (i.e. hockey) used in these works need to be supported by other contemporary sources from the years referred to.