by Al Youngin Amateur Hockey Association of Canada, Early Hockey0 commentstags: 1st Hockey League, AHAC, History of Hockey
In 1887, the teams that made up the main circuit for the Montreal Winter Carnival decided to create a stand-alone hockey league that did not coincide with the popular winter festival. The powerful Montreal Hockey Club was joined by other MWC teams: McGill University, Montreal Crystals, Montreal Victorias, and the Ottawa Hockey Club. These five teams participated in a season of series challenges at the Crystal and Victoria hockey rinks, following the same format found in the predecessor Montreal Winter Carnival. The first season played in 1887 (played from January 7 to March 11) saw The Montreal Crystals win the challenge Tournament by winning the last game of the season. Championships to 1887 Season for Amateur Hockey Association of Canada Carried over from 1886 Burlington Winter Carnvial Team # of Championships Premier Championship Points Montreal Hockey Club 2 (1885-86) 5 Montreal Crystals 1 (1887) 4 (+4) Montreal Victorias 1 (1884) 4 McGill University 1 (1883) 2 Starting in 1883 with only three teams playing three games over two days, the humble beginnings of the MWC Hockey Tournament lead to the creation of the first persistent league. Four Montreal-based teams plus one team from Ottawa played in the MWC […]
by Al Youngin Amateur Hockey Association of Canada, Early Hockey0 commentstags: 1st Hockey League, 1st Hockey Playoff, 1st Tied Standings, AHAC, History of Hockey
In 1888, the teams that made up the main circuit for the Montreal Winter Carnival played a season-long stand-alone hockey league that did not coincide with the popular winter festival. In fact, the MWC Hockey Tournament was cancelled as the teams decided to play for the first time a balanced schedule against each other instead of the series challenge format that had been played up to now. The Montreal Hockey Club, McGill University, Montreal Crystals, and the Montreal Victorias participated in a balanced schedule at the Crystal and Victoria hockey rinks. The second season played in 1888 (played from January 13 to March 15) saw The Montreal Hockey Club win the Championship in a one game playoff against the Montreal Victorias after both teams were tied at the end of regular season play. This was the first ever playoff game and the first ever tie in regular season play. Championships to 1888 Season for Amateur Hockey Association of Canada Team # of Championships Premier Championship Points Montreal Hockey Club 3 (1885-86, 88) 8 (+3) Montreal Crystals 1 (1887) 4 Montreal Victorias 1 (1884) 4 McGill University 1 (1883) 2 The MWC Tournament being the first ever organized Ice Hockey tournament […]
by Al Youngin Amateur Hockey Association of Canada, Early Hockey0 commentstags: 1st Hockey League, AHAC, History of Hockey
In 1889, the teams that made up the main circuit for the Montreal Winter Carnival played a season-long stand-alone hockey league that coincided with the popular winter festival. In fact, the MWC Hockey Tournament was cancelled as the teams decided to play for the first time a balanced schedule against each other instead of the series challenge format that had been played up to now. The Montreal Hockey Club, Montreal Crystals, Quebec Hockey Club, and the Montreal Victorias participated in a balanced schedule at the Crystal and Victoria hockey rinks, following the same format found in the predecessor Montreal Winter Carnival. The third season played in 1889 (played from February 2 to March 27) saw The Montreal Hockey Club win the Championship. Championships to 1889 Season for Amateur Hockey Association of Canada Team # of Championships Premier Championship Points Montreal Hockey Club 4 (1885-86, 88-89) 11 (+3) Montreal Crystals 1 (1887) 4 Montreal Victorias 1 (1884) 4 McGill University 1 (1883) 2 The MWC Tournament being the first ever organized Ice Hockey tournament lead to the creation of the first persistent league. The four Montreal teams plus Ottawa who all played in the MWC formed the AHAC in 1887 which […]
by Al Youngin Amateur Hockey Association of Canada, Early Hockey0 commentstags: 1st Hockey League, AHAC, History of Hockey
In 1890, the teams that formerly made up the main circuit for the Montreal Winter Carnival played a season-long stand-alone hockey league that was a successor to the popular winter festival. In fact, the MWC Hockey Tournament was cancelled as the teams decided to focus on their own league play. The Montreal Hockey Club, Montreal Dominions (use be the Montreal Crystals), Quebec Hockey Club, and the Montreal Victorias participated in a challenge schedule at the Dominion and Victoria hockey rinks, following the same format found in the predecessor Montreal Winter Carnival. The fourth season played in 1890 (from January 7 to March 14) saw The Montreal Hockey Club win the Championship. Championships to 1890 Season for Amateur Hockey Association of Canada Team # of Championships Premier Championship Points Montreal Hockey Club 5 (1885-86, 88-90) 14 (+3) Montreal Crystals 1 (1887) 4 Montreal Victorias 1 (1884) 4 McGill University 1 (1883) 2 The AHAC was the first ever organized Ice Hockey league. It was formed by four Montreal-based teams plus a team from Ottawa. Because these five teams all played in the preceding MWC Hockey Tournament, the AHAC is considered to be the direct descendant to the MWC for historical and […]
by Al Youngin Amateur Hockey Association of Canada, Early Hockey0 commentstags: 1st Hockey League, AHAC, History of Hockey
In 1891, the teams that formerly made up the main circuit for the Montreal Winter Carnival played a season-long stand-alone hockey league that was a successor to the popular winter festival. In fact, the MWC Hockey Tournament was cancelled as the teams decided to focus on their own league play. The Montreal Hockey Club, Montreal Crescents, Montreal Shamrocks, Montreal Victorias, Quebec Hockey Club, and the Ottawa Hockey Club participated in a challenge schedule at the Crystal hockey rink, following the same format found in the predecessor Montreal Winter Carnival. The fifth season played in 1891 (from January 2 to March 5) saw The Montreal Hockey Club win the Championship. Championships to 1891 Season for Amateur Hockey Association of Canada Team # of Championships Premier Championship Points Montreal Hockey Club 6 (1885-86, 88-91) 19 (+5) Montreal Crystals 1 (1887) 4 Montreal Victorias 1 (1884) 4 McGill University 1 (1883) 2 The AHAC was the first ever organized Ice Hockey league. It was formed by four Montreal-based teams plus a team from Ottawa. Because these five teams all played in the preceding MWC Hockey Tournament, the AHAC is considered to be the direct descendant to the MWC for historical and statistical purposes.
by Al Youngin Amateur Hockey Association of Canada, Early Hockey0 commentstags: 1st Hockey League, AHAC, History of Hockey
In 1892, the teams that formerly made up the main circuit for the Montreal Winter Carnival played a season-long stand-alone hockey league that was a successor to the popular winter festival. In fact, the MWC Hockey Tournament was cancelled as the teams decided to focus on their own league play. The Montreal Hockey Club, Montreal Shamrocks, Quebec Hockey Club, and the Ottawa Hockey Club participated in a challenge schedule at the Crystal and Rideau hockey rinks, following the same format found in the predecessor Montreal Winter Carnival. Ottawa Hockey Club became a temporary Champion from January 8 (by defeating the Montreal Hockey Club) until March 7 which was the final game of the season, when the Montreal HC defeated them at their home Rideau Rink. It was the Montreal HC’s only win of the season. The result is said to have displeased Governor-General Stanley, and after the season, he announced his donation of the Stanley Cup at the Ottawa HC end-of-season banquet, and asked for changes in the determination of the championship. 1892 would be the last season played in a challenge format. The sixth season played in 1892 (from January 8 to March 7) saw The Montreal Hockey Club […]
