Ice hockey, a beloved sport cherished worldwide, possesses a rich history that extends well beyond its formal organization in Montréal in 1875. In reality, the game’s origins can be traced back to the Mi’kmaw communities in Nova Scotia, where early versions of ice hockey were already being played. Prior to the industrialization of hockey stick production and the official formation of the game, the Mi’kmaq were engaging in the craft of carving their own sticks and participating in games that would ultimately shape the contemporary sport we know today.
The Mi’kmaq people, renowned for their exceptional craftsmanship, fashioned their own hockey sticks using sturdy hornbeam and yellow birch trees indigenous to Nova Scotia. These sticks were not merely employed in early iterations of ice hockey, but were also traded internationally, demonstrating the profound influence of Mi’kmaw craftsmanship on the sport.
The antecedent to ice hockey, known as Alchamadijik, represented a fusion of traditional Mi’kmaw games such as Oochamkunutk and hurley on ice. Oochamkunutk, referring to field and ice games, and hurley on ice, a European adaptation of an Irish field game, played pivotal roles in the development of the modern game of ice hockey. Not only did the game progress from utilizing a hard wooden ball to barrel plugs akin to today’s hockey pucks, but the contemporary name of the game is also believed to have originated from the barrels utilized to store hock ale during a medieval English festival.
In addition to Alchamadijik and hurley on ice, another traditional Mi’kmaw game called Duwarken equally contributed to the evolution of ice hockey. Duwarken entailed hitting a round stone on the ice with a stick, serving as inspiration for the design and implementation of the hockey stick. The amalgamation of the spruce roots utilized in Duwarken and the sticks used in hurling likely influenced the design and skills of Mi’kmaw wood carvers, imparting a lasting influence on the development of the hockey stick.
European records from the late 1600s similarly document that Mi’kmaw players engaged in a game known as ‘ricket,’ an early iteration of ice hockey. This game entailed two “rickets,” each comprised of stones that acted as goalposts, underscoring the parallels between ricket and ice hockey. These accounts further substantiate the Mi’kmaw influence on the sport of ice hockey.
In summation, the history of ice hockey transcends the organized game in Montréal, with Mi’kmaw games and craftsmanship playing a significant role in the sport’s evolution. The progression of early games such as Alchamadijik, hurley on ice, Duwarken, and ricket, in conjunction with the influence of European games, underscores the cultural significance and impact of the Mi’kmaq on the cherished sport of ice hockey.