Theokritos
Global Moderator
- Apr 6, 2010
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Part 1
Before ice hockey was played with a puck it was played with a ball. In England this kind of winter game is attested to be played from the late 18th century on at the frozen marshes (called "The Fens") in the the east of the country and was variously referred to as hockey (on ice), shinty/shinney (on ice) or bandy. Depending on the availability of natural ice, the game was picked up in other parts of England too throughout the 19th century, often by disciples of other team sports like field hockey who didn't want to remain idle during winters. For example, Nottingham Forest FC was originally founded as "Nottingham Forest Football and Bandy Club" in 1865. Artificial ice became available in the mid-1870s and in a rapid boom a great amount of rinks popped up throughout England, many of whom were short-lived though. It was a second boom from the 1890s on that really provided the country with a lasting infrastructure of artifical ice. Key dates in the development of hockey in England during that period: 1875 first formal game at the rink of the Crystal Palace in London, 1882 publication of a set of rules, 1891 formation of the National Bandy Association. These steps somewhat mirror the early development in Canada (especially the 1875 date). Additionally, english bandy teams and players introducted their game to Switzerland (1880s), the Netherlands and Sweden (1890s). Within a few years "ice hockey" was also played in Norway, Germany, Austria, Hungary, Bohemia, Russia and Finland.
More to follow.
Discussion, questions, corrections welcome.
Before ice hockey was played with a puck it was played with a ball. In England this kind of winter game is attested to be played from the late 18th century on at the frozen marshes (called "The Fens") in the the east of the country and was variously referred to as hockey (on ice), shinty/shinney (on ice) or bandy. Depending on the availability of natural ice, the game was picked up in other parts of England too throughout the 19th century, often by disciples of other team sports like field hockey who didn't want to remain idle during winters. For example, Nottingham Forest FC was originally founded as "Nottingham Forest Football and Bandy Club" in 1865. Artificial ice became available in the mid-1870s and in a rapid boom a great amount of rinks popped up throughout England, many of whom were short-lived though. It was a second boom from the 1890s on that really provided the country with a lasting infrastructure of artifical ice. Key dates in the development of hockey in England during that period: 1875 first formal game at the rink of the Crystal Palace in London, 1882 publication of a set of rules, 1891 formation of the National Bandy Association. These steps somewhat mirror the early development in Canada (especially the 1875 date). Additionally, english bandy teams and players introducted their game to Switzerland (1880s), the Netherlands and Sweden (1890s). Within a few years "ice hockey" was also played in Norway, Germany, Austria, Hungary, Bohemia, Russia and Finland.
More to follow.
Discussion, questions, corrections welcome.
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