About this activity
Ice hockey is one of the most popular sports in Canada, and has become a major part of Canadian culture. Hockey is played on an ice rink, usually in a rectangular shape and bound by wooden boards. At each end of the rink are two nets, usually defended by a goaltender. Each team tries to score a goal by moving the puck into the opponents' net. The winning team is the one that scores the most goals in the allotted time of the game. Hockey is played at professional, semi-professional, amateur, and recreational levels, and hundreds of thousands of Canadians play.
Origins & history
Hockey was developed in Canada in the mid-19th Century, although it shares similarities with previous folk games. The creation of rules and organization of competitions began in Montreal in the 1870s, and the sport quickly spread in popularity across Canada.
When it happens
Indoor hockey leagues run year round, while hockey is played on outdoor rinks and lakes/ponds during the winter months.
Who takes part
Males and females of diverse ages and ethnocultural backgrounds. Due to the high cost of equipment and ice time, high performance players beyond the age of 12 tend to be drawn from middle and upper class backgrounds, although there are exceptions.
