Hockey in Canada: More than just a game! The sweat-soaked smell of the dressing room. The flick of the wrist-shot. The roar of the fans. For millions of Canadians, winter means hockey and hockey means everything. Be there when the puck drops on Hockey. Trace the sport’s evolution through historic highlight reels, interactive components and one-of-a-kind artifacts. Explore the places where Canadians live and breathe hockey: from dressing room to press-box, rink to corporate boardroom, players’ bench to the backyard game. Find out why hockey holds pride of place in the hearts of Canadians. An exhibition developed by the Canadian Museum of History and presented in partnership with Pointe-à-Callière, Montréal Archaeology and History Complex. Hockey is presented through the History Museums Network, a pan-Canadian association of institutions dedicated to preserving and sharing history. Hockey is more than just a game!

Be Part of the Game #HockeyExhibit Tweets







Special Displays

The ultimate hockey collection



Mike Wilson, “The Ultimate Leafs Fan.”

Photo: Brian B. Bettencourt / Toronto Star / Getty Images.

Like millions of Canadians, Mike Wilson collects hockey memorabilia. His collection is so exceptional that sports channel ESPN dubbed him “The Ultimate Leafs Fan.”

Each one of Wilson’s treasures has a story to tell about the history of hockey, and about the collector himself. When deciding what to buy, he looks for one-of-a-kind items, game-used gear and objects with great stories. All of the items in this display come from the private collection of Mike Wilson, “The Ultimate Leafs Fan.” More info: http://www.ultimateleafsfan.com/





Lord Stanley’s Gift



A striking monument to Lord Stanley’s gift will be installed in December, in downtown Ottawa.

Lord Stanley’s Gift Monument Public Art Competition winning design: Covit/Nguyen/NORR.

One winter evening in 1892, a man pledged a gift to a game and country he’d grown to love. The country is Canada. The game is hockey. The gift is a silver cup inscribed with the man’s name: “From Stanley of Preston.”

A striking monument to Lord Stanley’s gift will be installed in December in downtown Ottawa, steps from where Canada’s sixth governor general made his historic pledge 125 years ago. Preview the monument at our Hockey exhibition.

Celebrate the enduring, indisputable symbol of hockey excellence — one man’s gift that keeps on giving. Discover the monument’s back-story and follow its development here: http://lordstanleysgift.com/





Families, mark your calendar

The exhibition in pictures

Jacques Plante’s “pretzel” mask This was Plante’s third mask, worn in 1963 while he played with the New York Rangers. The fibreglass strands made the mask lighter and cooler than the original, solid mask. Designed by W. A. Burchmore and E. T. P. Greenland. Early 1960s. © Canadian Museum of History.

The Richard Riot The production and sale of this specially canned Maurice "Rocket" Richard soup followed the rioting of Montréal hockey fans on March 17, 1955. The riot was a reaction to the suspension of Richard by NHL President Clarence Campbell. Maurice “Rocket” Richard soup can. Montréal, Que, 1955. © Canadian Museum of History.

Silver shinty medal “Shinty” is one of many historical names for what we now call hockey. Souvenir of a match played at Rideau Hall, Ottawa, in December 1852. Bytown (Ottawa), Ont, 1852. © Bytown Museum.

Wayne Gretzky’s helmet Wayne Gretzky wore this popular style of helmet in the 1980s. It did not offer as much head protection as today’s, especially when the chinstrap was loose.



Jofa helmet. Early 1980s. Private collection, Mike Wilson, “The Ultimate Leafs Fan”.

Paul Henderson’s Summit Series jersey Canadians recall Paul Henderson’s final goal in the 1972 Summit Series against the Soviet team as an iconic moment, perhaps even the iconic moment, in the history of Canadian sports.



Worn in Moscow, USSR. 1972.

Private collection, Mitchell Goldhar.

Tabletop hockey During the Depression, Don H. Munro of Burlington, Ontario, built a table-based hockey game for his family, using materials around his home. Adapting this idea, Canadian company Eagle Toys made the game we know today.



Early table hockey game produced by Munro Games. Around 1940. © Canadian Museum of History.

Hilda Ranscombe’s hockey uniform The Preston Rivulettes captured four national championships and attracted huge paying audiences in the 1930s. Team member Hilda Ranscombe was the best player of the era. This is the uniform she wore on the ice.



Preston, ON, 1930s. © Canadian Museum of History.

Early hockey stick This is the earliest known hockey stick, handmade in Canada. A boy named William “Dilly” Moffatt used it to play hockey on the local pond. His initials are carved into the blade.



Cape Breton, NS, 1835–1838. © Canadian Museum of History.

Video Gallery

Hockey at the Canadian Museum of History Thirsty for Hockey

Game Ready for Hockey





Get Your Souvenir Catalogue





Complete your visit by picking up the Hockey souvenir catalogue, on sale online and at the Museum Gift Shop.