Hockey Had Lowly Origin in England--Nineteenth Century British Lads Stickhandled Dead Cats Down London Gutters

It seems impossible that hockey and dead cats should have anything in common, but history points to just such an association. The present style of intercollegiate hockey is the culmination of over a century of constant evolution. Generations of refinements were necessary to bring the game up to its present stage.

About the year 1800 it was the custom for boys in Merrie England to amuse themselves by whacking dead cats up and down he gutters. In the course of time some of the boys found that footing was better on the ice. Gradually the dead cat ceased to be used as a target, being replaced by a puck. However, even to this day the British persist in calling the puck "the cat", and "the kit." The general adoption of steel skates speed up the game, adding interest and thrills, and insuring lasting popularity for the sport.

According to English tradition, polo also originated from the same maternal cat. Unlike hockey, however, the young gentlemen mounted horses instead of skates, and developed their game on the turf in lieu of the ice.

Hockey first became generally popular shortly after 1811. The winters were bitterly cold, and it was found that playing hockey was the only way that the men could keep themselves warm.

In those days the game was called "bandy", from the crook in the stick they used for striking "the cat". The stick, or "bandy", as it was called, was made of willow, and a good specimen was much prized by the owner.

The Bury Fenners a team who did much to develop hockey, have as their boast that they have played for over one hundred years without having their record besmirched by a defeat. However, they were at times sorely pressed. One opposing goal-guard, an ingenious follow, lay down across the goal, blocking it effectually from one post into the other. The Bury Fenners had to extend themselves to win that game. But, as that illustrious captain of the Fenners, William Leeland said, "They was never beat by any town, and could do it with ease.

Since those early days of the Bury Fenners, hockey has had a steady development. Rules and customs, regulating the evils of the game, have changed it so that the resemblance to the good old name of "bandy" grows less and less as time passes.