When fans sit down to watch the Stanley Cup Finals each year, few are aware a university team competed for the same title.
When first awarded in 1893 by then-Governor General of Canada Lord Stanley, winning the Stanley Cup title bore little resemblance to the tournament today. Prior to the establishment of the National Hockey League (NHL), amateur hockey clubs from across the country competed for the silver punch bowl in the Stanley Cup Challenge era.
During its first year, the Montreal Amateur Athletic Association (AAA) won the title for simply achieving the best season record within the Amateur Hockey Association of Canada (AHAC).
The following year four teams tied, when the Montreal Victorias, Ottawa Hockey Club, Montreal Hockey Club, and Quebec Hockey Club finished the season with the same number of games won and lost. The tournament then implemented a new tie-breaking protocol was the start of something more like what is seen today.
In the Stanley Cup’s history, Queen’s is the only university team to make an appearance. Competing under the name Queen’s University Tricolour, the team made three different appearances, and changed the course of the challenge era by being the first-ever challengers of the Stanley Cup from outside of the AHAC.
1895
The Tricolour hockey team not known as the Gaels until 1947—competed for the Stanley Cup for the very first time when they faced off against reigning Cup champions the Montreal AAA.
Though AAA accepted the challenge, there was one major issue—the Montreal Victorias achieved a better season record than their city-sharing team.
This meant if the AAA’s won, the Victorias keep the Cup, although there was still room for Queen’s to steal the title.
Going into the game the Tricolour was without their star forwards J. S. Rayside, who played previous games without injuries. Despite this, players such as R. C. Hiscock and George McKay were able to carry the extra weight.
The Tricolour faced a second challenge when a difference in provincial rink size regulations forced Queen’s to adjust their gameplay.
After a hard-fought battle, the Tricolour fell 5-1 against the Montreal Victorias on March 9.
In a Journal article published March 16, 1895, the editor wrote that “as matches go, the score does not indicate a one-sided game.”
The team was missing their top player. They were playing on a larger rink than usual; The Journal article blamed the loss on differing provincial rules in regard to offsides.
“Three of our goals were disallowed by the referee, being taken by our men when off-side according to Quebec rules, but perfectly legitimate according to those of Ontario.”
Past Journal articles believed the Tricolour would have faced a better outcome had the game been played on Ontario soil, making the loss even more heartbreaking.
Despite the loss, one major rule change was pulled from the game. From that moment until the NHL became the only competing league in 1926, any outside team could challenge the reigning champions for the Stanley Cup.
1899
Four years later, Queen’s sought the Stanley Cup again when they competed against reigning champions, the Montreal Shamrocks.
The Journal reported the Shamrocks felt their dignity was being ripped away when the Tricolour—a team that they thought was below their league—had the nerve to suggest they were a better team.
Though the Tricolour weren’t without any star players this time around, several players faced off with injuries. Guy Curtis played with a broken wrist, while John Harty battled a weak knee.
Once again, the size of the rink also played a role in hindering the team’s ability to win. A common issue before the regulation of rink sizes, the Tricolour had more ice surface for athletes to cover—hindering the team’s ability to play their usual game.
The Tricolour came up short once again and were outscored 6-2 by the Shamrocks.
An excerpt from The Journal suggested “the close proximity of St. Patrick’s Day lent superhuman powers to the wearers of the green.”
Under favourable circumstances Queen’s hockey team is in the same class with the Victorias and the Shamrocks of Montreal,” the same Journal article reported.
Though Queen’s scored the first goal within the first few minutes of the game, “the Shamrocks found out from the start that they had to play at a terrific rate to win.”
Queen’s just finished the best season they had ever had, so the loss didn’t leave much of a sour taste.
1906
The Tricolour made their last shot at the Stanley Cup in a best-of-three series against Ottawa on Feb. 27 and 28, 1906.
Queen’s lost the first game 16-7 and the second game 12-7, completing a quick series for Ottawa.
Two of the goals for the Tricolour were scored by dual-sport athlete George Richardson, who’s name survives at Richardson Stadium.
Both games were aggressive—according to The Journal “Queen’s [had] nothing to learn from their opponents in speed and snap.”
“Except in shooting the two teams were very even, but Ottawa was more effective near the goal.”
Though Ottawa was said to play a more systematic game than Queen’s, the Tricolour worked hard from start to finish showing no tendency to quit.
The same can be said about their performance during the entire era.
Eleven years later, the NHL was formed with no teams representing Kingston or Queen’s.
In 2022, the Stanley Cup playoffs was watched by 4.6 million viewers and is considered some of the best games in sports entertainment. A university hockey team competing in four Stanley Cup games is a major achievement forever written in sports history.
Given the audience that NHL teams and the Stanley Cup Playoffs have now—as well as the utmost support from their fanbases—Queen’s didn’t know what legacy they would soon be a part of.
Tags
George Richardson, Hockey, Stanley Cup
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