This Day in Hockey History – February 18, 1895 – Minnesotans Host Manitobans

Feb 18, 2020

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Billed as the first international hockey game ever held in the United States, a team from the University of Minnesota hosted a team from Winnipeg for a game on February 18, 1895. The game took place in downtown Minneapolis at Athletic Park, a baseball field at Sixth Street and First Avenue North that today would sit next to the Target Center Arena (where the pro basketball teams play). According to the local press, “The rink was in good condition and the day was perfect for the sport.”

The game came about because the Winnipeg team planned to travel through eastern Canada for three weeks. At the time, railroad tracks did not connect all of Canada, so the train would be passing through Minneapolis on the return trip back to Winnipeg.

During the trip, Winnipeg played an Ottawa team, the Toronto Victorias, the Toronto Granites, the Kingston Limestones, and Montreal (who had held the Stanley Cup for the past two years). According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, “Everywhere the Winnipeg team has been it has met with cordial reception, their arrival in each city being one of the society events of the season. At every game thousands of people have turned out, more than half of whom were ladies.” Although the Winnipeg team had only been playing a few seasons, they surprised the eastern Canadians by winning every game.

Meanwhile, the University of Minnesota did not have an official team, but Dr. H.A. Parkyn formed an unsanctioned one in January 1895. He was a star and coach of the football team and had spent eight years playing for various hockey teams in Toronto. The Star Tribune praised him as “one of the best all around players in Canada. Since his arrival in Minneapolis he has been doing good work in University athletics.” Having practiced together for just three weeks (during which time “Dr. H.A. Parkyn has been coaching the boys every afternoon”), the U of M team prepared themselves by playing against the Minneapolis Hockey Club (losing 4-1 and 6-4). According to the Minneapolis Ariel, “The excitement of these games is intense, and surpasses that at a football game.”

Like Parkyn, goalie Van Campen was a veteran football player. The Star Tribune claimed that he “uses all the agility that is expected from the best quarterback in the West, in defending his goal from the invasion of the puck.” Three other players on the team were experienced ice polo players. With another year or two of practice, the Star Tribune thought, “judging by the improvement noticed in the little while they have already played, there is every indication that they will be able to compete, with the greatest credit, and with a good chance of bringing to Minneapolis an international cup.”

For their matchup, Minnesota was “decked out in their football suits of many colors.” Winnipeg wore “red sweaters and baseball pants, with strong shin protectors.” They were described as “all gentlemen, and society men of Winnipeg.”

The University of Minnesota postponed classes so its scholars could attend the game. About 300 students and locals made up the “large turn-out” of spectators. “A toss for goal gave the visitors the west end of the rink.” The game started at 4:15 (though it had been advertised to start at 3:30) and ended at 5:23 with “both sides offering three cheers for the other.”

Winnipeg won handily, 11-3, but the Minnesotans were just proud to score three on this “world champion” team. The Star Tribune noted, “The University boys, however, deserve great credit for the lively game they put up against heavy odds.” The paper also reported, “Throughout the contest the best of feeling prevailed, and no one received serious hurts.”

That night, at 8:40, the visitors departed for Winnipeg on the Northern Pacific train from Union Station. Depite beating every team they came across, it wouldn’t be until the following year, in February 1896, that Winnipeg would win the Stanley Cup (by defeating the Montreal Victorias). Losing the Cup again that December, Winnipeg would not win it again until 1901.

Back in Minnesota, immediately after the game, the Star Tribune predicted, “The game of hockey is destined to be popular at the University, and the time is probably not far distant when regular college games between the institutions neighboring to Minneapolis will be played.” The St. Paul Pioneer Press echoed, “Hockey promises to become as popular a sport at the University as football, baseball, and rowing.” It took a few years before these predictions came to pass. The University of Minnesota did not get its act together and play formal games until 1904. Still, a strong tradition of college hockey there and throughout their state grew and remains to this day in the State of Hockey.