Ice Hockey

by Hope Loman  Rowan Public Library

Ice hockey might be an unusual topic for an article in April, but ask any NHL fan and they’ll tell you that this month marks the beginning of the most important part of the hockey season: the Stanley Cup Playoffs.  If you’ve ever been curious about watching hockey, now is a great time to get started—there’s constant action, easy rules, the enthusiasm of the onscreen fans is almost contagious, and, of course, there are always the infamous hockey fights.  If any of this peaks your interest, continue reading for a brief overview of this beloved sport.

Historically, the word “hockey” has no clear origin, but different versions of field hockey and similar stick-and-ball games existed in some form in England by the early 1770s.  British soldiers and immigrants brought these pastimes with them to Canada and America, playing them on the ice during winter. The first organized indoor game of hockey was played on March 3, 1875 at the Victoria Skating Rink in Montreal, with a flat piece of wood for a puck and goal posts eight feet wide (modern goal posts are six feet apart). Over the next few years, formal rules were established, official positions were named, and an increase in the number of amateur teams led to the first hockey tournaments. In 1893, the Governor General of Canada, Lord Stanley of Preston, awarded the Dominion Hockey Challenge Cup (later known as the Stanley Cup) to the Montreal Hockey Club in recognition of being the best Canadian team. From there, professional hockey leagues began in Canada in 1902 and the National Hockey League as we know it was formed in 1917, expanding into the United States with the creation of the Boston Bruins in 1924.

Today, hockey is typically played on an indoor rink for three twenty minute periods, with six players for each team on the ice during normal play: the goalie, a center, two wingers, and two defensemen.  With the exception of the goalie, players take short shifts on the ice before rotating out with other players on the bench.  The object of the game is for players to pass and shoot the puck into their opponent’s goal net, with ties at the end of regulation leading to a five minute sudden-death overtime and then a shootout.  If a player is called for a penalty, such as tripping a player or high-sticking, the offending player is sent to the penalty box and their team must play with one less player for a certain amount of time, typically two minutes.

If you would like to learn more about the intriguing history of ice hockey, delve into the lives of some of the greatest hockey players, or just familiarize yourself with some more of the rules and basics of the game, the Rowan Public Library has some great resources for you to look at.  Here are some of my recommendations:

Hockey: A People’s History by Michael McKinley.  This thorough exploration of hockey’s past and present includes its origins, rise of women’s hockey, sagas of long-lost leagues, and the first-ever NHL lockout.

99: Stories of the Game by Wayne Gretzky.  This memoir by “The Great One” discusses his career in depth, from his fondest memories to the people who inspired and motivated him.

The Voices of Hockey: Broadcaster Reflect on the Fastest Game on Earth by Kirk McKnight.  In this book, thirty-four play-by-play broadcasters share their fondest experiences of the game and their teams, sharing insights on rivalries, records set, and Stanley Cup wins.

Hockey the NHL Way: The Basics by Sean Rossiter.  This book is a great resource for anyone who might want to play the game or who just wants to appreciate the athletic skills of the players, with step-by-step instructions and tips from NHL stars.