Saturday, January 28, 2012

House of Commons All Star Night

Excerpt, National Archives of Canada  

Headline reading STARS OF THE ICE. THE DINNER TO THE OTTAWA HOCKEY TEAM. LORD STANLEY GIVES A CHALLENGE CUP OPEN TO THE DOMINION, TO BE COMPETED NEXT YEAR -- A SUCCESSFUL REUNION.

 THE GOVERNOR GIVES A CUP.

March 18, 1892.
"I have for some time past been thinking that it would be a good thing if there were a challenge cup which should be held from year to year by the champion hockey team in the Dominion.

"There does not appear to be any such outward and visible sign of championship at present, and considering the general interest which the matches now elicit, and the importance of having the game played fairly and under rules generally recognized, I am willing to give a cup which shall be held from year to year by the winning team.

"I am not quite certain that the present regulations governing the arrangement of matches give entire satisfaction, and it would be worth considering whether they could not be arranged so that each team would play once at home and once at the place where their opponents hail from."

Lord Kilcoursie stated that Capt. Colville, who was at present in England, had been commissioned by the Governor to order the cup.
 
It would be held here by trustees, till the end of next season, and then presented to the champions.

The reading of the letter was greeted with enthusiastic applause.

Mr. Bethune sang a song in capital style.

The next toast was the event of the evening, "The Hockey team." It was proposed in a brief but capital speech by the chairman. Great cheering followed.