As we near the 2016 World Cup of Hockey, I thought it might be fun to whip out a couple articles giving some fun facts about the firsts for hockey in North America.
Now we all know that Canada is where ice hockey became what it is today and it has been there through every growing pain and amazing moment. However, you still might not know EVERYTHING about hockey in the Great White North. Here are a few fun facts. Stay tuned next week for USA Hockey Firsts.
First Ever Ice Hockey Game:
The first recorded ice hockey game took place in Montreal in 1875 at the Victoria Skating Rink. The teams were nine aside and the puck was made out of wood.
First NHL Draft:
The first NHL Entry Draft (also called NHL Amateur Draft at the time) was held June 5th, 1963 at Queen Elizabeth Hotel in Montreal Quebec. The Canadiens had the first pick and selected Garry Monohan from Barrie, Ontario.
First Olympic Gold for Canada:
The first Olympic Gold Medal for Canada came at the 1920 Summer Olympics in Belgium. Yes that's right...the Summer Olympics. Canada easily coasted to a Gold Medal while the rest of the standings have been subjected to criticism due to the use of the "Bergvall System".
First Stanley Cup:
The first Stanley Cup was won by the Montreal Hockey Club in 1893 after finishing their season with a 7-1-0 record. They were followed by second place finishers, the Ottawa Hockey Club.
First Hockey Hall of Fame Induction:
The first Hockey Hall of Fame induction ceremony was held in 1943 in Kingston, Ontario (later officially established in Toronto, pictured above). The inductees that year were Hobey Baker, Charlie Gardiner, Eddie Gerard, Frank McGee, Howie Morenz, Tommy Phillips, Harvey Pulford, Hod Stuart and Georges Vézina.