Questions about Hockey History...

[John Corn]

I was recently looking at the Hockey Hall of Fame website ( www.hhof.com ). As i was checking out some of the members in the HF I noticed their are 19 members inducted with the position as Rover. And me being a somewhat newbie and not a lifetime fan of the game I was wondering what this was?

Any info would be greatly appreciated.

[Geronimo]

Originally there were 9 men from each team on the ice. It is my understanding that the among the extra positions was a "Rover" who was more or less of a forward but he was allowed to be anywhere on the ice at any given time. This position was usually held by the best skater on the team.

If 9 men on the ice seems like a lot consider that today's game evolved from the Irish game of "Hurley'. Hurley was played with as many as 15 men on a side and generally without skates.

This ends today's lecture on the History of Ice Hockey. Mybe next time I will tell you what a Gordie Howe Hat Trick is.

[John Corn]

Thanks Geronimo, after reading your post someone sent me this link as well. :)

http://www.birthplaceofhockey.com/origin/n-s-firsts.html


I also found this tidbit.

1910 - First "Home and Away" Uniforms - Windsor Swastikas, a senior team which played in the Annapolis Valley Senior League, and traveled to Newfoundland for amateur competitions annually between 1905-1916, used Black with White trim uniforms at home and White with black uniforms when playing away. Photos on display at Windsor Hockey Heritage Society Museum.

I guess since this was before WWII it's talking about the symbol of peace, the good 'ol swastika....much like the confederate flag...once upon a time had a symbol of positive connotations...eventually turned into a symbol of hate.

[Geronimo]

Neat site and neat story. The swatiks is similar to a Native American symbol but I did not believe it was called a swatika. But who knows?