As boys began playing Ice Hurley and Ice Hockey around 1800, the goal openings were indicated by the placement of two rocks on the ice at both ends. For nearly a century into the development of the game, the goals faced the sides of the ice surface rather than the ends. Since there was no net covering the posts, the goal tender could be scored on from either side, or from front and back, which ever way you wish to consider it. While this meant that long shots could not score, it did keep the goal tender very busy guarding both sides of the opening.
In the 1890s the rocks were generally replaced with posts, which were then positioned parallel to the ends of the ice surface, as goal nets are today, but still without net. Although electricity was by then available for indoor use, the goal light had not yet been invented, and, indeed, games were still being played outdoors in many places where covered rinks had not yet been constructed. Therefore, the job of the Goal-Judge who stood on the goal line and called the scores, was still very much in practice.
On January 6, 1899, the Halifax hockey teams developed the first hockey goal net called the Nova Scotia Box Net. The Goal-Judge, whose job was markedly facilitated by the net, took up his new position behind the net. The following season, in December 1899, Montreal’s hockey teams tried the nets and they quickly became popular. Within a year they were being used across the nation. It was in this decade that many Canadian towns got their first indoor skating rinks. The rising popularity of Ice Hockey resulted in demand for covered rinks to house the natural ice games, leagues and tournaments which were becoming a vital part of our culture.
Ice Hurley and Ice Hockey have fascinating historical roots tied to their early formations. The evolution of these sports reflects the gradual transformation of equipment, rules, and playing styles.
Initially, in the early 1800s, the goal openings in these games were denoted by the placement of rocks on the ice's ends. This was a crude but effective way to indicate the goal area. The intriguing transition came when the goals faced the sides of the ice surface rather than the ends. This setup, lasting nearly a century, altered the dynamics significantly. Without nets covering the posts, goalkeepers faced the challenge of defending from multiple angles, susceptible to being scored on from any direction.
This particular setup meant that while long shots couldn't score, it demanded the goalkeepers to be vigilant, defending both sides of the opening. The replacement of rocks with parallel posts in the 1890s marked a pivotal moment, aligning the goals parallel to the ends of the ice surface, akin to contemporary goal nets but still lacking the netting structure we're familiar with today.
The absence of technologies like the goal light, even as electricity became available indoors, underscores the simplicity of early hockey games. Goal judges played a crucial role, stationed on the goal line, manually calling scores.
In 1899, the innovation of the Nova Scotia Box Net by the Halifax hockey teams revolutionized the game. This goal net significantly aided goal judges, prompting them to relocate behind the net for a better vantage point. Montreal's adoption of these nets a year later propelled their widespread popularity across Canada, marking a transformative period for the sport.
Furthermore, the increasing popularity of Ice Hockey led to the demand for covered rinks, reflecting a cultural shift in the importance of these games, leagues, and tournaments. The construction of indoor skating rinks during this era was pivotal, providing a controlled environment for games and fostering the sport's growth.
This historical progression showcases the organic evolution of Ice Hurley and Ice Hockey, not only in terms of gameplay but also in the adaptation of infrastructure and technology to meet the evolving demands of the sport.
