19 replies to this topic

[Scaper]

Not many people realize that Victoria had an NHL team at one point in our history. At that most people don't realize that Victoria won the Lord Stanely Cup in 1926 either.

Here is our beloved NHL Victoria Cougars Hockey Team.

Stanely cup champs

[Holden West]

Even fewer know they played out of the Patrick Arena, located at the corner of Cadboro Bay Rd and Epworth St. in Oak Bay. It was built in 1911 and destroyed by fire in 1929.

[VicHockeyFan]

Even fewer know they played out of the [url=http://www.webturf.com/oakbay/history/encyclopedia/p/memorabilia/patrick_arena/patrick_arena.shtml:ab4c7]Patrick Arena[/url:ab4c7], located at the corner of Cadboro Bay Rd and Epworth St. in Oak Bay. It was built in 1911 and destroyed by fire in 1929.

^ There is a nice little monument across the street from the original site detailing the history.

Our team is now the Detroit Red Wings, btw.

[Scaper]

Didn't they play in an outdoor rink for awhile?

[VicHockeyFan]

Victoria had the first artificial ice in all of Canada.

The Patricks set about planning two artificial ice rinks and decided to construct the Vancouver one of wood with a brick veneer that would seat 10,000 and be managed by Frank. The Victoria arena, under Lester’s control, would be built entirely of wood with seating for 3,500. A site was picked a way out in Oak Bay, near the Willows Exhibition Grounds. The reason being cheaper taxes and that the location was serviced by the Willows streetcar. The original Victoria Arena, located at Cadboro Bay Rd. and Epworth St. was built at a cost of $110,000. There was great excitement in Victoria at the official opening on Christmas Day, 1911. It was a glorious afternoon and 600 skaters were skating to a real live band on the first artificial ice rink in Canada.

http://www.gvshof.ca...ArticleIndex=43

I read somewhere once that Saskatchewan has 1700 (indoor) rinks, and only 300 or so have an ice plant, the rest they just let the cold come in and freeze them - ie. the building interior stays below freezing point, but warmer than the outside temperature.

[Scaper]

3500 seats in 1911!!!

7000 seats in in 2007.... (if it's finnished by then :? )

I would like to know the population difference between 1911 and 2006

[Scaper]

Look how the press was excited to print stories of such grand buildings and how the people embraced such amazing ambitions.

[VicHockeyFan]

3500 seats in 1911!!!

7000 seats in in 2007.... (if it's finnished by then :? )

I would like to know the population difference between 1911 and 2006

You do have to keep in mind that entertainment options were limited in 1991 ie. no TV or movie houses.

[Scaper]

The Victoria Arena...built in 1911.

Seating capacity 3,500

[schlogo]

Hello

I am bringing back upthis topic, I have a hockey question and I hope someone from your forum will be able to help. I am building a big website about Montréal Canadiens. I am seeking for photos and infos about all the players who one days stepped on the ice for this team.

Why am I here? I am looking for mr Reg Abbott, who played for the Montréal Canadiens and spent some time with the Victoria cougars.

http://fr.wikipedia....wiki/Reg_Abbott

Now, I do have an address for mr Reg Abbott in Victoria. What I would need is a someone I can trust and who could go there and kindly see if it s the right person at the right address

Why am I not doing it myself? Because i am in Europe for few months

Hope someone will answer this cal. You could have french wine for it

[Zimquats]

sorry, I only stalk young women....

[Bernard]

The Victoria Cougars were not in the NHL, they were in the Pacific Coast Hockey Association and then in the Western Hockey League. The PCHA competed with the NHA and then the NHL for the Stanley Cup.

Victoria had major professional hockey team from 1911 to 1916 - the Senators and then Aristocrats. The team stopped playing in Victoria because the arena was needed by the military. Victoria had a team again from 1920 to 1926 first as the Aristocrats and then the Cougars.

The WHL did not last long and in the summer of 1926 the new Detroit franchise in the NHL purchased the Cougars for $100 000 - though effectively that only meant the contracts of the players. At the same the Portland Rosebuds were bought out by the new Chicago franchise in the NHL.

[Koru]

sorry, I only stalk young women....

Why aren't you in a crane then eh? Why do you think us crane op's always have fancy cameras with telephoto and mirrored lenses? *looks around furtively* whoops did anyone hear me? .......just kidding...or am I?

[schlogo]

make an exception. i am sure you ll find one on your way back

sorry, I only stalk young women....

[schlogo]

tks for the information

The Victoria Cougars were not in the NHL, they were in the Pacific Coast Hockey Association and then in the Western Hockey League. The PCHA competed with the NHA and then the NHL for the Stanley Cup.

Victoria had major professional hockey team from 1911 to 1916 - the Senators and then Aristocrats. The team stopped playing in Victoria because the arena was needed by the military. Victoria had a team again from 1920 to 1926 first as the Aristocrats and then the Cougars.

The WHL did not last long and in the summer of 1926 the new Detroit franchise in the NHL purchased the Cougars for $100 000 - though effectively that only meant the contracts of the players. At the same the Portland Rosebuds were bought out by the new Chicago franchise in the NHL.

[Caramia]

Any idea what neighbourhood (Postal Code would do) Reg Abbott lives in? I would be happy to drop by if it is within walking distance of where I live.

[schlogo]

that would make my day, i ll pm you the details today

[Bingo]

Can Victoria's Jamie Benn win the scoring title tonight?

 

Five players have a chance to win the NHL scoring title on the final day of the regular season, one of the closest races in League history.

 

Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins and John Tavares of the New York Islanders enter the full schedule of games Saturday leading the League with 84 points. Each had one point in New York's 3-1 win at Pittsburgh on Friday, moving ahead of Jamie Benn of the Dallas Stars, who has 83.

 

Jakub Voracek of the Philadelphia Flyers has 81, and Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals has 80.

http://www.nhl.com/i...id=nhl:topheads

 

 

[johnk]

The Stanley Cup was, and still is in the fine print, a challenge trophy. This accounts for the Cougars winning it despite not being in the NHL. The NHL does not own the cup, it was entrusted in their care. Theoretically any team can mount a challenge. In reality it won't happen.

Perhaps the most notable challenge came from Yukon. The hardy challengers used dogteams coming south then rode the train for a week across Canada to challenge the Ottawa Silver Sevens, the powerhouse team of the era. Its a great story but unlike a Hollywood movie the Yukoners were crushed by the Ottawas who were led by One-eyed Frank McGee one of the greatest players of his time.
Why aren't movies made of great Canadian stories like this?

For a small city without real Canadian winters, Victoria has a rich hockey history. Lester Patrick was a great coach and innovator, his sons ran the Rangers and Bruins in the 50s and early 60s. Russ and Geoff Courtnall were solid players with long careers and the Benn brothers are carrying the torch.

Edited by johnk, 11 April 2015 - 11:19 AM.

[todd]

“10 years later: Unique perspectives of the 2011 Stanley Cup riot”: 

 

https://theprovince....tanley-cup-riot

 

 

Some very disturbing human behaviour a reminder to double-check the true meaning of any riot/protest if any.

Edited by todd, 16 June 2021 - 01:39 PM.