Origins of Hockey - A Cornucopia from the 16th~19th Centuries in the US & Canada

[Killion]

Beautiful neighbourhood, you're lucky to have grown up there.

"Windfields", some of that area (east of Bayview) was called. Was that the farm's name?

Indeed it was, along with the main farm out near Oshawa Ontario & another down in Maryland. The area was developed in the 60's & 70's, with a school named after the Taylors horse farm that had been there called Windfields Jr. High which is north of York Mills Road & west of Leslie.... and theres also Windfield Park which is on the SE corner of York Mills & Bayview (from where York Mills Arena sits) that runs down to Post Road.

 

[Staniowski]

Indeed it was, along with the main farm out near Oshawa Ontario & another down in Maryland. The area was developed in the 60's & 70's, with a school named after the Taylors horse farm that had been there called Windfields Jr. High which is north of York Mills Road & west of Leslie.... and theres also Windfield Park which is on the SE corner of York Mills & Bayview (from where York Mills Arena sits) that runs down to Post Road.

Yup, I'm familiar with the school, and I took many walks through Windfields Park, down through the woods, across the bridge, and through the fields. Nice spot in the middle of the big city, little-used park, rarely anyone there. Actually one of my favourite places in Toronto.

 

[James Laverance]

The Sioux

The Sioux are regarded as playing hockey as far back as the 15th century when living in Minnesota area.
Sioux Tribe: Facts, Clothes, Food and History ***
5 Things You Probably Didn't Know Were Invented By Native Americans - National Museum of American Indian


I found this in a book from 1829.

Shinney, a stick crooked or round at the end, with which to strike a small wooden ball or coit, in the game called Shinney, or Shinney-haw, and sometimes Shinham — played in the Northern counties.
A Glossary of North Country Words, in Use

Also a book from 1929.

"This document is in the form of the old original calendar, printed on a buffalo hide , using only the chirography of the powerful Sioux nation. On this calendar, or winter-count, is recorded the remote past of the Sioux nation and dates back several hundred years before Columbus discovered our eastern shore."

"Different games and sports were indulged in by the Sioux Indians. One of the most interesting of these was the game of shinney, played somewhat similar to the hocky game on ice. Fifty to one hundred persons took part in this game. In most cases a wager was made. Two goals were placed about one-half mile apart; the contestants gathered in the center between the two goals armed with a shinney stick (about three to four feet long with a curve on the end). The ball which was then thrown in mid air was the signal to start. The battle was on. The ball used was the size of an official baseball but soft, made of soft buckskin. The game was won when either side knocked the ball through the goal."
Conquering the Mighty Sioux
Conquering the Mighty Sioux

 

[Theokritos]

@James Laverance

Over the last couple of months you have provided some highly interesting threads. Whenever you dig up newspaper or archive reports from the 19th century or so, it's almost always an interesting read. But unfortunately, whenever you post claims about older times, your statements tend to lack any credible sources.

For example:

The Sioux are regarded as playing hockey as far back as the 15th century when living in Minnesota area.

Where does it say that in the links you have provided? What is this statement based on?

5 Things You Probably Didn't Know Were Invented By Native Americans - National Museum of the American Indians:

A game called “shinny” was the favorite sport of many American Indian tribes, including the Sauk, Foxes and Assinboine. Players would pass a buckskin ball up and down a field using a curved stick, seeking an opportunity to whack the ball into the opposing team's goal. During the winter, they played on the ice.

Sound familiar?

Needless to say, European settlers were intrigued when they first saw the sport in action circa 1500.

It doesn't take an in-depth knowledge of history to figure out the shortcomings of these claims on part of the "National Museum of the American Indians".

1) "European settlers were intrigued when they first saw the sport ina ction circa 1500." – Really? Unless I'm gravely mistaken, there were no European settlers in the areas mentioned "circa 1500". That's about 200 years too early.

2) No source is given for reference.

3) A game called "shinny" was the favorite sport of many American Indian tribes ... this sentence alone should be enough to raise a red flag as far as the reserach capability or credibility of the Museum is concerned. Because for all we know, the term shinny derivates from the English language...

I found this in a book from 1829.

Shinney, a stick crooked or round at the end, with which to strike a small wooden ball or coit, in the game called Shinney, or Shinney-haw, and sometimes Shinham — played in the Northern counties.
A Glossary of North Country Words, in Use

You realize that book isn't referring to any "Northern counties" within North America but to the Northern counties of England?

Also a book from 1929.

"This document is in the form of the old original calendar, printed on a buffalo hide , using only the chirography of the powerful Sioux nation. On this calendar, or winter-count, is recorded the remote past of the Sioux nation and dates back several hundred years before Columbus discovered our eastern shore."

That is a very bold claim. If true it would revolutionize the history of America. But as usual, it comes without any tangible corroboration. Just more hot air, I'm afraid.

 

[Killion]

^^^ Very interesting, love the history & lore of the Native north & south American's games, Lacrosse in particular..... Maybe an optical illusion but that "ball" looks rather large does it not? A lot larger than a softball as referenced.

The Olmec's of south central Mexico for example tapped the rubber plants & created solid, heavy rubber balls about the size of volleyballs that used in a sort of super advanced form of Hackey Sac, keeping it airborne, using the head, shoulders, arms, hips & legs amongst dozens of players (and those rubber tree balls as heavy as lead which would have caused extensive bruising, concussion)... used to settle disputes, avoid war as was the case with Lacrosse amongst the northern NA tribes... which beyond just a "half mile field" could be played over dozens of miles, through all kinds of terrain.

And yes Theo.... still much debate as to the credibility of some of the claims made by historians. No written records kept by Native groups, quite a bit that doesnt add up in terms of locations & timelines etc, an awful lot of speculation presented as fact.

 

[James Laverance]

Hi Theokritos I appreciate your interest in my previous posts.

I am trying my best to find a more suitable source for my claims on Aboriginal hockey.

Thanks for any corrections and feedback you have on the subject.

 

[James Laverance]

^^^ Very interesting, love the history & lore of the Native north & south American's games, Lacrosse in particular..... Maybe an optical illusion but that "ball" looks rather large does it not? A lot larger than a softball as referenced. The Olmec's of south central Mexico for example tapped the rubber plants & created solid, heavy rubber balls about the size of volleyballs that used in a sort of super advanced form of Hackey Sac, keeping it airborne, using the head, shoulders, arms, hips & legs amongst dozens of players (and those rubber tree balls as heavy as lead which would have caused extensive bruising, concussion)... used to settle disputes, avoid war as was the case with Lacrosse amongst the northern NA tribes... which beyond just a "half mile field" could be played over dozens of miles, through all kinds of terrain. Used to sttle internal disputes as well with rival groups; recreationaly as well.

Thanks Killion appreciate your reply.

 

[James Laverance]

An early Inuit skating reference written in 1889.

"At the end of the eighteen days, Nordenskiold found himself about 150 miles from his starting-point, and about 5,000 feet above the sea. Here the party rested, and sent two Eskimos forward on skidor — a kind of long wooden skate, with which they could move rapidly over the ice, notwithstanding the numerous small circular holes which everywhere pitted the surface. These Eskimos were gone fifty- seven hours, having slept only four hours of the period. It is estimated that they made about 75 miles, and attained an altitude of 6,000 feet. The ice is reported as rising in distinct terraces, and as seemingly boundless beyond. If this is the case 225 miles from Disco Bay, there would seem little hope of finding in Greenland an interior freed from ice."
The Ice Age in North America, and Its Bearings Upon the Antiquity of Man

 

[Killion]

Very interesting... if you scroll up one page of that link theres a map of the terrain in question.... and talk about stamina.... matter of survival amazing the lengths Native North Americans could press themselves... think nothing of it.

 

[James Laverance]

In this passage they talk about the early explorers of Artic and how they would play ball on ice as the Inuit did.

The Canton Advocate, 08 Apr 1880, Thu, Page 3

 

[Killion]

In this passage they talk about the early explorers of Artic and how they would play ball on ice as the Inuit did.
The Canton Advocate, 08 Apr 1880, Thu, Page 3

.... Interesting.... The first recorded games of hockey being played in the Arctic / Northwest
Territories was on Great Bear Lake, winters of 1825/27.... Franklin Expedition from the UK....
www.pwnhc.ca/item/first-recorded-hockey-game-in-the-northwest-territories/#8/65.197/-123.401

 

[James Laverance]

Another Skating reference from 1791.

"The savages north of the Esquimaux,
and even in the northern parts of the Island of
Newfoundland, have a great resemblance to the
Greenlanders. Like them their stature is small,
their faces broad, and their noses flat; but their
eyes are larger than those of the Laplander."

"To enable them to travel on the snow, they use skates
made of sir-wood, about two ells long, and half
a foot broad. These skates are raised before,
with a hole in the middle for tying them firm
on the foot. With these they run on the snow
with such rapidity, that they easily overtake the
swiftest animals. They carry with them a pole
pointed with iron at one end, and rounded at
the other. This pole serves to push them along,
to direct their course, to preserve them from
falling, to stop their impetuosity, and to kill the
animals they overtake. With these skates they
descend the most frightful precipices, and climb
the steepest and most rugged mountains. The
skates used by the Samoiedes are shorter, and
seldom exceed two feet in length. Among all
these people, the women use skates as well as the
men."
Natural History, General and Particular

 

[Canadiens1958]

Description points to a combination of skates and skis.

 

[James Laverance]

Description points to a combination of skates and skis.

Looks something like this...

Harper's Story Books: no. 19 The engineer. no. 20 The Alps. no. 21 The three gold dollars

 

[Killion]

Another Skating reference from 1791.

"The savages north of the Esquimaux,
and even in the northern parts of the Island of
Newfoundland, have a great resemblance to the
Greenlanders. Like them their stature is small,
their faces broad, and their noses flat; but their
eyes are larger than those of the Laplander."

"To enable them to travel on the snow, they use skates
made of sir-wood, about two ells long, and half
a foot broad. These skates are raised before,
with a hole in the middle for tying them firm
on the foot. With these they run on the snow
with such rapidity, that they easily overtake the
swiftest animals. They carry with them a pole
pointed with iron at one end, and rounded at
the other. This pole serves to push them along,
to direct their course, to preserve them from
falling, to stop their impetuosity, and to kill the
animals they overtake. With these skates they
descend the most frightful precipices, and climb
the steepest and most rugged mountains. The
skates used by the Samoiedes are shorter, and
seldom exceed two feet in length. Among all
these people, the women use skates as well as the
men."
Natural History, General and Particular

These sound more like "Snow Blades" (modern parlance, made by Rossignol, Salomon etc) than "Skates" James.... "two ells long, and half a foot broad" (1 ell = app 18", from the crook of the elbow to the tip of ones middle finger) so thats like 4.5ft in length by 6"'s wide, then later on down page the author mentions that the Samoiedes use an even shorter version seldom exceeding 2ft in length. Furthermore, they use them not just to glide but to climb, using the inner edges in a v-shape if going straight face up, or side stepping if really steep, alternating your uphill "snow blade" with your downhill & digging the edges in to gain purchase & thus, "creating steps" & ascending. Used with or without poles. If using poles or a pole, sure, a single pole ideal, a spear in fact, and used for balance, pushing as well as hunting, killing ones prey.

Snow blading while not huge is a "thing" amongst back country mountaineers, they were, still are outlawed at many resorts & ski areas as there considered unsafe, you need to be strong, agile as ya, you can get up a hell of a lot of speed on them. You do of course "skate" in them, just as a cross-country skier does with full length ski's... thing is.... they'd be next to useless on ice, say the glare ice you sometimes get. That the author calls them "skates" at all is perhaps because he'd never seen anyone cross country skiing before?... No idea... but I'm not seeing something that is 6"'s in width by at minimum 2 feet in length, thats flat bottomed as a "skate".... Now, antler bone, animal bone, horn, walrus tusk, even flint mounted into wood and max 15"s or so in length that bites into the ice... now were talkin... thats a "skate".

 

[James Laverance]

Now, antler bone, animal bone, horn, walrus tusk, even flint mounted into wood and max 15"s or so in length that bites into the ice... now were talkin... thats a "skate".

Well this is An ancient skate worn by the Inuit from the early 19th century.

Description
A Rare Yupik Bering Sea Eskimo Child’s Ice Skate Carved of Walrus Ivory in the Form of a Polar Bear with Socketed Iron Blade Early 19th Century
Finch & Co - Rare Yupik Bering Sea Eskimo Child’s Ice Skate

 

[Killion]

Well this is An ancient skate worn by the Inuit from the early 19th century.

Description
A Rare Yupik Bering Sea Eskimo Child’s Ice Skate Carved of Walrus Ivory in the Form of a Polar Bear with Socketed Iron Blade Early 19th Century
Finch & Co - Rare Yupik Bering Sea Eskimo Child’s Ice Skate

Wow! Beautiful. Now thats a skate for darn sure. What was being described in that earlier link though, "Snow Blades". Short versions of either Nordic or Alpine Ski's depending on whether or not the bindings kept the heel stationary, locked down though I doubt they did. Probably able to raise the heel..... Interestingly, modern speed skates, the heel riding free, sort of like a shock absorber system. Cantilevered. That combined with superior ice conditions, faster tracks, records smashed.

 

[James Laverance]

Polar Region Winter Scene from the London Illustrated in 1850.

 

[cupcrazyman]

Googled this & found a local photo of boys playing Shinny on Sarnia Bay dated December 29, 1908 (Library Archives Canada)

 

[James Laverance]

Ancient hockey sticks from the 19th century.

THE MOFFATT STICK - OLDEST ICE HOCKEY STICK - CIRCA 1835

2ND OLDEST HOCKEY STICK - CARVED BETWEEN 1852 AND 1856

SHINNY STICKS MADE OF OAK OR TAN OAK, AND USED BY THE NORTHERN POMO PEOPLE.

ANTIQUE ICE POLO STICK - LATE 1800S

ANTIQUE SPALDING ICE POLO STICK - 1890S

 

[Killion]

^^^ Very nice indeed James.... Now, in the last photo, 4 & 5th sticks up from the bottom with logo's on them.... what do those logo's say, represent? Cant make them out. Who manufactured them & when.... Which of that lot the famous Mic Mac's if any?

 

[James Laverance]

^^^ Very nice indeed James.... Now, in the last photo, 4 & 5th sticks up from the bottom with logo's on them.... what do those logo's say, represent? Cant make them out. Who manufactured them & when.... Which of that lot the famous Mic Mac's if any?

Thanks Killion I think the top few are Ice polo sticks and the 5th from the bottom is a "Carroll Stick."
The 4th from the bottom says "hand made hockey stick."
Not sure who crafted them though and when exactly.
I know the first stick from c.1835 was made by the Mi'kmaw and I would imagine that at least a few others on there were too.

 

[Killion]

Thanks Killion I think the top few are Ice polo sticks and the 5th from the bottom is a "Carroll Stick."
The 4th from the bottom says "hand made hockey stick."
Not sure who crafted them though and when exactly.
I know the first stick from c.1835 was made by the Mi'kmaw and I would imagine that at least a few others on there were too.

Thanks James.... Ever come across any photo's of early Bandy sticks? Oldest & so on?

 

[James Laverance]

Thanks James.... Ever come across any photo's of early Bandy sticks? Oldest & so on?

Here's one from the mid 1800's.

ANTIQUE BANDY STICK - USED BY CHARLES G TEBBUTT - MID 1800S

Also a few other Bandy like images.

ANTIQUE ICE POLO / BANDY - 3 CHILDREN PLAYING - CIRCA 1880

HAPPY LITTLE FOLKS BOOK COVER WITH ICE HOCKEY PLAYER in 1886

Original 1888 St Nicholas Magazine Art

YOUNG AMERICA ANNUAL COVER - 1890 - BOY SKATING - ICE POLO STICK

1892 Boston.

 

[Killion]

^^^ Fun pictures, drawings..... the stick on the top, photo... thats interesting. Almost no blade at all.