Introduction
In 1883, the Montreal Amateur Athletic Association (MAAA) and McGill University were both asked to participate in the Montreal Winter Carnival by organizing for the first time ever an ice hockey tournament. The MAAA did not field a team, but McGill University fielded its own team, and two more teams were invited to play in a three-team tournament. This was the humble beginning of the Montreal Winter Carnival Hockey Tournament (MWCHT).
The fourth Montreal Winter Carnival Hockey Tournament (MWCHT) was held from February 17 to February 25 . The Montreal Victorias, McGill University, Quebec Hockey Club, and the Montreal Hockey Club contested for a Tournament trophy called the Carnival Cup.
The tournament, which was scheduled to play outdoors on an ice rink at the Ice Palace, was disrupted by two days of storms, and was not completed until February 25. During this time, no challenges were played. This fourth MWCHT contracted with the Ottawa Hockey Club not playing this season. This modest start became the beginning of the hockey league lineage that stretches to the modern day!
The MWCHT would play almost every year starting in 1883 until 1889 when its member teams decided it was better to focus play on the Amateur Hockey Association of Canada (AHAC) which it created in 1887.
Season Length
February 17 to 25, 1887
Season Champion
Montreal Hockey Club
# of Teams
4
Season Standings (Overall Champion Challenge Record)
Season Playoffs
There were no championship playoffs as the Champion Challenge system was being used. A team would hold the title of Champion until it was defeated by a Challenger as was done in Boxing. The team holding the title at the end of the season would be declared the overall Champion.
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