Pre-1895 American ice hockey

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1891-92

Massachusetts

It was reported that Harvard University planned to form an ice polo team this winter.[1]

The Interscholastic Ice Polo League was organized again in 1892. Six teams entered the league: Cambridge High and Latin, Cambridge Manual Training School, English High School, Melrose High School, Somerville High School, and Newton High School.[2]

On January 23, 1892, Cambridge High Latin defeated the Melrose High School. The team was made up as follows: Goodrige, Clarkson, rushers; Lawrence, centre; Moore, half-back; Tobey, goal.

There was an ice polo team in Fitchburg in 1892. “The Y.M.C.A. ice polo team is made up of F.E. Rowe, 1st rush; M.F. O’Connell, 2nd rush; Charles Merriam, center; R.E. Bartlett (capt.), half-back, and C.S. Bishop, goal. The team is ready to meet all comers, but will insist on conforming to the latest polo rules.”[3]

Game results
  • January 30: Jamaica Plain - Harvard Picked Team 1:0
Interscholastic Ice Polo League results
  • January 16: Melrose High School - Newton High School 4:3
  • January 22: Melrose High School - English High School 2:1
  • January 23: Cambridge High and Latin - Melrose High School 2:0
  • January 28: Melrose High School - Somerville High School 2:0
  • January 30: Cambridge High and Latin - Cambridge Manual Training School 1:1

Standings as of 2/1

  1. Cambridge High and Latin 4-0-1
  2. Cambridge Manual 3-0-1
  3. Melrose High 3-2
  4. Somerville High 1-3
  5. Newton High 1-3
  6. English High 0-4

Michigan

It was reported that there would be a game of hockey at the Detroit Skating & Curling Club on February 10.[4] The Detroit Skating & Curling Club beat the Light Infantry club 3-0 on February 17.[5]

The next day, the Detroit Skating & Curling Club hosted the Chatham Hockey Club from Ontario, Canada, and were defeated 5-0. Rosters Detroit - Bell, McEwan, Reidy, Jacobson, Renton, C. Jacobson, Richardson. Chatham - McGowan, Baxter, West, Risdon, Ireland, Cameron, Taylor.[6]

Minnesota

In 1892, the St. Paul Henriettes challenged any team in the state to a series of three games for the amateur championship of Minnesota.[7]

On January 10, 1892, the Stillwater Palace Club beat the Henriettes in a best two-out-of-three goals game.[8] Two weeks later, the Henriettes defeated the Stillwater Palace Club 2-0.[9]

1892-93

Massachusetts

“The ice on the ponds in the vicinity of Boston was in better shape yesterday [Dec. 26] for skating than has been known for several years and the holiday makers took advantage of the opportunity. During the afternoon two elevens from ‘Tech’ and E.H.S. [English High School] played a spirited game of hockey on Jamaica Pond, which the ‘Techs’ won 5 to 0.”[10]

Five schools competed in the Interscholastic Ice Polo League in 1893. They were Somerville High School, Cambridge Manual Training School, Cambridge High and Latin, Medford High School, and Melrose High School.[11] The league kicked off on December 27, with Cambridge High and Latin beating Melrose High School 4-3. The second game of the season was played on January 7. Cambridge Manual Training School beat the Melrose High School 2-1 on goals by Brine and Freeman.[12] On January 29, the Cambridge High and Latin School defeated the Medford High School 3-0, scoring two goals in the first half and one in the second. With this win, Cambridge clinched the championship, having been victorious in four games.[13]

The Cambridge Athletic Association planned to form an ice polo team and enter in the New England Skating Association carnival.[14]

Game results
  • December 15: Cambridge Manual Training School - Cambridge High and Latin 1:0
  • December 26: Tech - English High School 5:0
  • December 31: Melrose High School - Chelsea High School 10:0
  • January 18: Cambridge High and Latin - Somerville High School 10:1
Interscholastic Ice Polo League results
  • December 27: Cambridge High and Latin - Melrose High School 4:3
  • December 31: Cambridge Manual Training School - Melrose High School 2:1 OT
  • January 4: Melrose High School - Somerville High School 5:2
  • January 15: Cambridge High and Latin - Somerville High School 2:1
  • January 21: Cambridge High and Latin - Cambridge Manual Training School 1:0
  • January 29: Cambridge High and Latin - Medford High School 3:0

Michigan

“The Detroit Hockey Club played a match last night [Feb. 4, 1893] with a team from the Light Infantry, and beat the soldiers by a score of 6 to 2. The club is now ready to receive challenges, which may be addressed to W.N. McNaughton, 250 John R. street.”[15]

Frank Billel of Delray organized a hockey game on the River Rouge, between the Detroit Light Infantry and the Detroit Hockey Club, for February 19.[16] The Detroit Hockey Club was also set to face "pony team" on the River Rouge on February 25.[17]

Minnesota

The Duluth Ice Polo club.

By 1893, ice polo was also being played in Duluth, with the active clubs being the Duluth Polo Club and the Zenith City Club. Among the active teams in St. Paul were the St. Pauls, St. Georges, Centrals, Summits, Henriettes, Fort Snelling, Mascots, and Gophers. A four-team league was created by the Army Companies at Fort Snelling. Youth teams such as the St. Paul High School, Spauldings, Summit Juniors, and Interurbans were also actively playing ice polo. Minneapolis had a several teams in the adult class, including the Polo Club and the Acorns. Owatonna, Stillwater, and Superior, Wisconsin, were other locales with teams.

The Henriettes defeated the Minnesotas 3-0 at the Henrietta skating rink on January 8. Rosters: Henriettes: Miller (goal), Pfeiffer (cover goal), Newson (center), Schintsberg (first rush), Sheehan (second rush), Yurber (cover). Minnesotas: Keifer (goal), Murnane (cover goal), J. Murphy (center), Hatch (first rush), Ed Murphy (second rush), Egan (cover).

On February 12, the Henriettes beat the Summits, scoring three goals out of the first four games.[18] Five days later, the St. Paul Henriettes won the state championship by defeating the Duluth Polo Club 2-1 at the indoor Glen Avon Curling Club in Duluth.[19] The Henriettes also beat the St. Pauls in a game for $100.

The Summits beat a scrub team (also said to be the Henriettes - there was some controversy over this) after “one hour and a half of hard work” at the Crystal rink on March 5. Rosters: Summits: W.A. Gerber (1st rush), C.J. Slans (2nd rush), J.H. Henke (center), W.F. Miller (half-back), E.J. Muggley (cover goal), O.A. Raddatz (goal). Scrub Team: W. Scherfenberg (1st rush), T.M. Newson (2nd rush), P. Hertell (center), E. Sheehan (half-back), W. Lesh (cover goal), F. Pfeiffer (goal).[20]

College ice polo

There were talks of forming ice polo teams at Brown University in 1893. “It has been proposed to form an ice polo club among the students who frequent the ice ponds and who skilfully [sic] wield the ‘shinny’ sticks. It would be a better scheme in our opinion to form clubs from each class and play out a short schedule for the championship of the college. Skating is one of the most healthful out-door winter sports and a series of polo games on the ice could not help but increase the popularity of the sport.”[21]

On January 4, it was reported that the Freshman class was to be represented by an ice polo club, including the following: W.A. Jones, Malcolm Chase, Carleton Hale, and George W. Matteson. The fifth player had not yet been chosen.[22] There were no reports of any games being played this winter.

Other locales

Hamden, Connecticut

The Yale University Hockey Club was discussed in the Yale Daily News in December 1892. "The club was written about again in December 1892. “Now that the cold weather has come, we would suggest the advisability of reorganizing the Hockey Club, which existed here a few years ago. There are a large number of men who go out regularly to Lake Whitney for skating whenever there is ice fit for skating, and many more would undoubtedly go if there was the additional inducement which would be offered by such a club. One reason why these clubs have not been more successful in the past is the fact that nothing has been done toward organization until the season was too far advanced to accomplish anything; but, if steps were taken immediately toward this end, we feel sure that the result would be in every way satisfactory."[23]

Meriden, Connecticut

“Yesterday [Dec. 26] was a great day for ice polo in this vicinity. A team from Center street, captained by Miller, defeated Ryan’s Franklin street team at Pratt’s pond by a score of 6 to 3. Another game was played by representatives of Center and Park streets in the afternoon. The Center streets won by a score of 10 to 0. The Center street players were Charles Jones, Michael Mulvey, Thomas, John and James Ryan. Park streets. Thomas Luby, Philip Carlin, Hubert Mulvey, James Oliver and Michael O’Brien. An exciting game was played on Pratt’s pond between the Meriden Football club and the Volunteer Hose company. The Meridens won by a score of 8 to 4. The work of the Meridens was excellent, they were clearly outclassing the fire laddies by their passing. Meridens were: Goodeson and Latimer, rushers; Lochshire, half back; Cobb, goal and captain. The Volunteers were: J. Reese and Albert Hart, rushers; J. Norrie, half back; Charles Aichler, goal. F. Reese was referee. Time, one hour.”[24]

Providence, Rhode Island

It was noted that the Providence high schools were organizing an ice polo league. B.M.C. Darfee High School was asked to enter a team.[25]

Centralia, Wisconsin

"“The Pond Hill hockey team beat the West Side six at the Pond Hill rink yesterday afternoon [Jan. 13], 10-1. H. Litke, N. Litke, Poynton, Schiller, Norris and Vanasse played for the Hills. The Hill team will be in action again next Sunday afternoon, weather permitting.”[26]

Poughkeepsie, New York

It was reported that the Poughkeepsie polo team would play the Stanfordville team on the river opposite Poughkeepsie on February 7. The match was to decide the championship of a series of games that had been played over the course of the season.[27]

Rockland, Maine

The Knickerbocker Ice Polo Club was organized in Rockland. Any team in New England was challenged.[28] The Knickerbocker Club was set to face the Capitols of Augusta at Augusta on February 16.[29]

1893-94

Massachusetts

“The ice polo game, scheduled between Brown University and the Cambridge Polo club, on Thursday [Jan. 25], was not played, owing to the non-appearance of the Brown club. A game will be arranged for next week. The Cambridge club played a practice game with the Cambridge High and Latin school, which resulted in a victory for the former. Score, 3 to 0. The Wakefield and Cambridge clubs play this afternoon on Fresh pond. The Cambridge club claims to be the champions of Massachusetts and want to hear from any other team.”[30]

It was noted that the Cambridge High and Latin School had won the interscholastic ice polo championship for the fourth consecutive year.[31] A Suburban Polo League was also setup, with Winchester, Melrose, Medford, and Malden participating.

Game results
  • December 30: Highlandville - Needham 3:1
  • January 20: Cambridge Polo Club - Wakefield 2:1
  • January 25: Cambridge Polo Club - Cambridge High and Latin 3:0
Interscholastic Ice Polo League results
  • January 9: Melrose High School - Hopkinson 12:0
  • January 18: Cambridge High and Latin - Somerville High School 4:1
  • January 20: Hopkinson - Cambridge Manual Training School 1:1 - Hopkinson won as CMTS committed a foul

Minnesota

The Summits and Henriettes together in 1894.

On December 31, 1893, the Henriettes and Summits played to a 1-1 tie on the Central Skating rink.[32]

On January 7, 1894, the St. Paul Henriettes beat the Centrals 2-1. Rosters: Henriettes: W.B. Egan (first rush), E.S. Sheehan (second rush), C.J. Stause (half back), T.E. Pfeiffer (center front), E.J. Mugley (cover goal), William Kieber (goal). Centrals: P.E. Barron (first rush), F.K. Barron (second rush), F.E. Barron (half back), Jack Murphy (center front), E.J. Murphy (cover goal), E.J. Murphy (goal).[33]

Two weeks later, the Summits and the Centrals tied 1-1. Lineups: Summits: O.H. Raddatz (goal), Fr. Miller (cover), Charles Stans (first rush), R.E. Barron (second rush), Ed Schafer (center), C.A. Weber (halfback). Centrals: Billy Odell (goal), Ed J. Murphy (cover), F.K. Barron (first rush), B. Haggenmiller (second rush), Charles Clow (center), Willie Barron, N. Grinblot (half backs). [34]

In January 1894, the Duluth Ice Polo Club exacted revenge on the Henriettes for their 1893 State title, winning a three-game series 2-1 for the state title. Duluth won the first game, played on January 19, but St. Paul rebounded with a 3-1 win in the opening game contested on the 20th. Duluth won the final game that night 1-0 to clinch the championship.[35] The games were played at the Glen Avon rink in Duluth.

Sketches of Ed Murphy and Frank Barron.

On January 27, the Barron family beat the Murphy family 2-1 in a challenge game at the Central skating rink. The lineups were as follows: Barrons: F.K. Barron (Capt.) (half back), R.E. Barron (first rush), W.C. Barron (goal), N. Griubhol (second rush), T. Miller (cover goal), C.B. Clow (center). Murphys: Eddie Murphy (half back), Ed Murphy (first rush), Jim Murphy (goal), B. Haggenmiller (second rush), Thomas Newson (cover goal), Billy O’Dell (center).[36]

The next day, the Centrals edged the Summits 1-0 at the Central rink.[37] On February 4, the Henriettes defeated the Centrals 3-1 in a game that lasted only 30 minutes.[38]

The Spauldings beat the Interurbans 3-1 at the Victoria rink on February 10.[39] The Spauldings lined up as follows: Beecher (first rush), Sxertle (second rush), Manhart (cover), Meade (cover goal), Pfeiffer (goal), Campbell (half-back), Ogan (center). A day later, the Henriettes trimmed the Summits 2-1 at the Central rink.[40] On February 18, the Henriettes met the Centrals, in a game that resulted in a 3-2 victory for the former side.[41] The Henriettes beat a picked team 1-0 on the 22nd.[42]

San Francisco, California

The Mechanics’ Industrial Fair Building (also called the Mechanics’ Pavilion) featured a “real ice skating floor” by 1894. The Natural Ice Skating Rink, as it was called, opened on February 3. On February 17, there was an ice polo game played at the rink between the San Franciscos and the Chicagos. “Ten men in sides of five each, armed with hickory crooks, batted and knocked a soft leather ball about on the iced floor for half an hour and wound up with a score of 2-1. The instructors of the rink formed one team, clothed in red, and a picked team of old Easterners, now sojourning in the nalmy West, formed the second five, clad in white and blue. They were dubbed respectively the San Franciscos and Chicagos.”

The San Franciscos took the lead in the first half, but the Chicagos drew even in the second session, before Captain Box scored the winning goal for the former side. The sides were as follows: Chicagos: Chas. F. Oliver (center), R.W. Curtis (goal), H. McCue (half back), Gus. Gentry (left rush), R. Burns (right rush). San Franciscos: E.F. Box (center), W.E. Rosemond (goal), C.B. Yates (half back), H.L. Gibbs (left rush), W.F. Cary (right rush).[43]

“Popular Ice Polo. The third game of the polo series was played at the ice-skating rink last night [Feb. 24] and resulted in a score of San Franciscos 2, Chicagos 0. The home scores were made by Yates and Cary. The team work of both sides was exceptionally good.”[44]

On March 26, it was reported that “Polo on ice at the Pavilion is growing in popular favor. An exciting novelty it appears to have peculiar fascination for both sexes. For instances, to-day two teams from the Boys’ High School go there and practice. In the afternoon the Olympic Club will be there to practice. On Saturday night there will be a game between a club organized by the Berkeley University boys against a club of Stanford students. They are all organizing tournaments which promise to be very interesting and exciting. Some gentlemen from the University Club have stated that they want to form a polo club among their club members and play a club from the Pacific-Union or the Bohemian Club. And so it goes. The interest is growing every day.”[45]

Stanford, attired in red sweaters, defeated Berkeley 2-0 on the evening of March 31. The former side scored twice in the first half, while the second resulted in no goals for either side. The Stanford team had been selected by the manager of the rink as the five best Stanford skaters among those who had played in the preliminary contest, a victory over the Olympic Club that morning.

Stanford roster: Dart, ‘97, goal; H. Reynolds, ‘96, half back; Davey, ‘96, Vanderveer, ‘96’, and De Wolf, ‘97’, rushers.

Ice polo in California was said to somewhat resemble Canadian hockey, but the ice polo teams only consisted of five players, whereas at the time, hockey was played seven-on-seven in Canada. Of course, a ball and curved sticks were used in ice polo as well.

Series results
  • February 17: San Franciscos - Chicagos 2:1
  • February 21: Chicagos - San Franciscos 4:0
  • February 24: San Franciscos - Chicagos 2:0
  • February 28: San Franciscos - Chicagos 0:0
  • March 3: Chicagos - San Franciscos 3:2

There was a five-game series between the San Franciscos and the Chicagos. The Chicagos won, 8 goals to 6.

Other game results
  • March 7: Canadians - San Franciscos 2:1

Canadians roster: Lloyd (first rush), Dunlap (halfback), Rheil (second rush), Webster (fullback), Duncan (goal). San Franciscos roster: Gouin (first rush), Box (halfback), Yates (second rush), Cary (fullback), Kahn (goal).

  • March 8: Canadians - San Franciscos 0:0 - game lasted a half-hour
  • March 9: San Franciscos - Canadians 4:0
  • March 10: San Franciscos - Kalamazoo 2:1
  • March 13: San Franciscos - Chicagos 2:0
  • March 22: San Franciscos - Canadians 2:1
  • March 23: Chicagos - Canadians 4:1

On April 6, it was reported that Stanford was going to be among the six participants in the local California Ice Polo League. Kennedy, ‘95, captain; Davey, ‘96, vice-captain; and Hicks, ‘96, manager, were chosen to lead the team. Half the proceeds made on ticket sales were to be turned over to the league treasury and divided equally among the six teams. The other five squads were Olympic, Canada, Chicago, San Francisco, and the University of California-Berkeley. Stanford played their first game on April 14, defeating the Olympic Club 4-0. At the conclusion of the league schedule, it was written that the Canadians were “easy victors and carried off the pennant”.[46]

California Ice Polo League results
  • April 4: Canadians - Chicagos 1:0 - or 2:0
  • April 6: Chicagos - Olympic 6:2
  • April 7: Berkeley - Olympic 4:0
  • April 11: Chicagos - San Franciscos 5:0 - protested by latter team
  • April 13: San Francisco - Olympic 5:1
  • April 14: Stanford - Olympic 4:0
  • April 18: Berkeley - San Francisco
  • April 20: Berkeley - Canada
  • April 21: San Franciscos - Stanford 2:1
  • April 25: San Francisco - Canada
  • April 27: Berkeley - Chicago
  • April 28: Stanford - Chicago
  • May 2: Olympic - Canada
  • May 4: Stanford - Canada
  • May 5: Stanford - Berkeley 2:0

College ice polo

On January 13, 1894, a picked polo team from Brown faced Worcester Tech at Lake Quinsigamond in Worcester. Three 20-minute periods were played, and Brown succeeded in scoring six goals, to their opponents three. About 400 spectators attended the game. The Brown team was composed as follows: Rushers, W.D. Brownell and C.D. Owen; Centre: G.A. Matteson; Half-back: W.A. Jones; Goal: I.B. Merriman.[47]

Four days later, Brown faced a picked polo team from Newport, who called themselves the “Pride of Newport”, on the Ten Mile River and defeated them by the hefty score of 18-1. Two 30-minute halves were played, in each of which the home team scored nine goals. The teams lined up as follows: Brown-Rushers: Brownell, Matteson; Centre: Meiklejohn; Half-back: Chase; Goal: Watson. Newport-Rushers: Whipple, Wilbur; Centre: Gladding; Half-back: Bennett; Goal: Bridgman.

On February 19, Brown visited East Greenwich and defeated the Academy 4-2. The Brown team consisted of Mathewson, Chase, Watson, Owen, and Merriman.[48] Three days later, Brown played two twenty-minute halves against the Cambridge Polo Team, which was comprised mostly of Harvard men and considered the champion amateur team of Massachusetts, at the Ten Mile River, and defeated them 4-0.[49]

Brown faced Cambridge again at Spy Pond on February 24 and scored seven goals over the course of four 20-minute periods. After this game, the Brown Daily Herald wrote that “The establishment of a polo club at Brown has proved a very fortunate move.”[50]

Other locales

Pennsylvania

The Factoryville Polo Club went to Benton to face the local team on January 9, and defeated them 3-1 on Lake Bassett. The next day, Factoryville beat the Keystone Academy club 3-0 in 18 minutes on Lake Nokonus.[51] On January 20, Factoryville blanked Glenburn 3-0 in a game that lasted one hour and six minutes.[52]

Lewiston, Maine

It was reported that the two Lewiston hockey clubs held a match game on Wright's Pond on January 13. Captain Charles Marsh's team beat Mr. E. Drury Prayment's side by two goals.[53]

Madison, Wisconsin

“An ice polo team has been formed at the University of Wisconsin.”[54]

Meriden, Connecticut

“The vigilant ice polo team of this city [Meriden] has challenged the Hartford Skating club’s team to a match game of ice polo and the challenge has been accepted. Efforts will be made to play the game some time this week.”[55]

References

  1. Boston Globe, 1891-12-08
  2. Boston Globe, 1892-01-10
  3. Fitchburg Sentinel, 1892-02-02
  4. Detroit Free Press, 1892-02-10
  5. Detroit Free Press, 1892-02-18
  6. Detroit Free Press, 1892-02-19
  7. St. Paul Daily Globe, 1892-01-01
  8. St. Paul Daily Globe, 1892-01-11
  9. St. Paul Daily Globe, 1892-01-25
  10. Boston Evening Transcript, 1892-12-27
  11. Boston Globe, 1892-12-23
  12. Cambridge Chronicle, 1893-01-07
  13. Cambridge Tribune, 1893-02-04
  14. Boston Globe, 1893-01-09
  15. Detroit Free Press, 1893-02-05
  16. Detroit Free Press, 1893-02-19
  17. Detroit Free Press, 1893-02-24
  18. St. Paul Daily Globe, 1893-02-14
  19. St. Paul Daily Globe, 1893-02-18
  20. St. Paul Daily Globe, 1893-03-08
  21. Brown Daily Herald, 1893-01-03
  22. Brown Daily Herald, 1893-01-04
  23. Yale Daily News, 1892-12-06
  24. The Morning Record, 1892-12-27
  25. Fall River Daily Evening News, 1892-12-23
  26. The Centralia Enterprise and Tribune, 1893-01-14
  27. Poughkeepsie Eagle-News, 1893-01-31
  28. Boston Globe, 1893-01-24
  29. Boston Globe, 1893-02-07
  30. Cambridge Tribune, Volume XVI, Number 44 1894-01-27
  31. Boston Evening Transcript, 1894-03-03
  32. St. Paul Daily Globe, 1894-01-01
  33. St. Paul Daily Globe, 1894-01-08
  34. St. Paul Daily Globe, 1894-01-22
  35. Star Tribune, 1894-01-21
  36. St. Paul Daily Globe, 1894-01-28
  37. St. Paul Daily Globe, 1894-01-29
  38. St. Paul Daily Globe, 1894-02-05
  39. St. Paul Daily Globe, 1894-02-11
  40. St. Paul Daily Globe, 1894-02-12
  41. St. Paul Daily Globe, 1894-02-19
  42. St. Paul Daily Globe, 1894-02-23
  43. San Francisco Call, 1894-02-18
  44. San Francisco Call, 1894-02-25
  45. San Francisco Call, 1894-03-26
  46. San Francisco Call, 1894-05-07
  47. Brown Daily Herald, 1894-01-16
  48. Brown Daily Herald, 1894-02-23
  49. Brown Daily Herald, 1894-02-24
  50. Brown Daily Herald, 1894-02-27
  51. The Tribune, 1894-01-17
  52. The Tribune, 1894-01-24
  53. Buffalo Morning Express and Illustrated Buffalo Express, 1894-01-16
  54. The Stanford Daily, Volume IV, Issue 13 1894-01-24
  55. Meriden Daily Republican, 1894-02-01


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