Hockey originated in Canada in the late 1800s when British immigrants brought versions of field hockey to North America. The first organized indoor hockey game took place in 1875 at McGill University in Montreal. In 1892, the Stanley Cup was donated and became the championship trophy awarded to the best hockey team in Canada. Today, hockey is deeply ingrained in Canadian culture with many legendary Canadian players and several Canadian teams in the NHL.

1. Ice Hockey Why It’s So Canadian By Nick & Cledis

2. Hockey History Ice hockey was invented in Canada European immigrants brought different versions of hockey-like games to North America like: Hurling (an Irish sport) Shinty (a Scottish sport) Versions of field hockey (played in England) The first known set of ice hockey rules were drawn up in the early 1870’s by students at Montreal's McGill University These rules established the number of players per side to 9 and replaced the ball with a square puck. On March 3, 1875 the first organized indoor game was played at Montreal's Victoria Skating Rink by James George Aylwin Creighton and several McGill University students

3. Hockey History (cont.) In 1892, recognizing that there was no gratitude for the best team in all of Canada he purchased a decorative bowl for use as a trophy which we now know today as the Stanley Cup Winnipeg hockey players had included cricket pads to protect the goaltender's legs. They also introduced the "scoop" shot which we now know as the wrist shot. In 1943, the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association declared Kingston the birthplace of hockey

4. Game Basics The game is played with 6 players on each team on the ice at a time 2 defence 3 offence 1 goalie The three offence are also known as the center, the right wing and the left wing. The object of the game is to get the rubber disk also known as the puck into the other teams net as many times as possible You must control the puck with a long stick that has a blade that is curved at the end.

5. Hockey Equipment helmet shoulder pads elbow pads mouth guard protective gloves heavily padded shorts athletic cup/jock shin pads chest protector neck protector hockey skates hockey stick

6. Hockey Hall of Fame The hockey hall of fame is located in Toronto, Canada It was originally located in Kingston, Ontario Established in 1943 under the leadership of James T. Sutherland It was moved to Toronto in 1958 after the NHL withdrew its support for the Kingston location The Stanley cup is on display in the great hall in the hockey hall of fame

7. National Hockey League Awards There are a number of awards like: Presidents' Trophy William M. Jennings Trophy Art Ross Trophy Maurice 'Rocket' Richard Trophy Heart Memorial Trophy Vezina Trophy James Norris Memorial Trophy Calder Memorial Trophy Lady Byng Memorial Trophy Conn Smythe Trophy Jack Adams Award The most important award in the NHL is the Stanley Cup which is awarded to the team who wins the playoff final

8. Lord Stanley’s Cup the trophy was donated by former Governor General of Canada Lord Stanley of Preston in 1892 Current holder is Detroit Redwings The original bowl was made of silver and has a height of 18.5 cm and 29 cm in width. The current Stanley Cup is made of silver and nickel alloy Today, it has a height of 89.54 cm and weighs 15.5 kilograms The team that won this trophy the most is the Montreal Canadiens The Stanley Cup’s nicknames are The Cup, The Holy Grail and Lord Stanley’s Mug

9. Great Canadian Players Wayne Gretzky Bobby Orr Maurice “Rocket” Richard Sidney Crosby Mario Lemieux Gordie Howe Bobby Hull Jacques Plante Steve Yzerman Joe Sakic Mike Bossy Brett Hull Patrick Roy Guy Lafleur Mark Messier

10. Canadian National Hockey League Teams Montreal Canadiens Ottawa Senators Toronto Maple Leafs Calgary Flames Edmonton Oilers Vancouver Canucks

11. THAT’S WHY HOCKEY’S SO CANADIAN