The NHL- Ice Hockey history stared in Montréal. On March 3, in the year 1875 the first indoor game was held at the Victoria skating rink. It was played by James Creighton and many of the students of the McGill University. In the year 1877, many of the students from the McGill University comprising of Henry Joseph, w.f. Robertson, Richard F. Smith, W.L. Murray and James Creighton developed seven rules for ice hockey. The first club of ice hockey was formed in the year 1877 and was named as the McGill University hockey club.
Popularity of the Game:
The ice hockey game was a big hit with the masses. It became so famous that the world championship for ice hockey was held in the year 1883, soon after its launch. It was held at the annual winter carnival of Montréal. The winner of the championship was the McGill team. The popularity of the sport was so high that the Governor of Canada, Mr. Stanley attended the carnival tournament along with his sons and daughter, in the year 1888. He was so impressed with the game, that he bought a decorated bowl for the teams to be used a trophy for the winners. The cup was later known as the Stanley cup. It was awarded first to the Canadian team, Montréal HC. Even today the Stanley cup is awarded to the winner of the national hockey leagues champion team.
The Era of Professionalism:
Ice hockey has existed in the professional form way back, since the First World War days. The first professional hockey league was based in Michigan in the United States of America. From here the popularity of the sport grew to the countries of Canada, Ukraine, Great Britain, Switzerland and Austria. This started the professional era of ice hockey.
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