Our history lives on…
Local members of the Society of North American Hockey Historians and Researchers (SONAHHR), together with George and Darril Fosty, authors of Black Ice: The Lost History of the Colored Hockey League of the Maritimes (1895-1930), were instrumental in hosting three major Black Ice Hockey & Sports Conferences and Hall of Fame inductions ceremonies in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. In addition, commemorative Colored Hockey League (CHL) games are played annually, showcasing the talents of today’s senior Black hockey players. The CHL was also inducted into the inaugural founding of the Maritime Sports Hall of Fame.
The history of the CHL is not just about hockey – it’s about the significant loss of an important piece of African Canadian history that includes the American Underground Railroad and the leadership of the African United Baptist churches.
Did you know that during the era of the CHL, wooden pucks were used on the ice? There was no game schedule – all matches were arranged through telegraphed challenges or by placing ads in local papers. The ice hockey games quickly became community events – attracting both Black and white fans.
To commemorate the rich history of the Colored Hockey League of the Maritimes, on January 23, 2020, Canada Post launched a new stamp. The stamp unveiled at the Black Cultural Centre in Cherry Brook, Nova Scotia tells the story of the Colored Hockey League, which saw teams competing for the Colored Hockey Championship.