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The Province
13-05-2025
- Sport
- The Province
B.C.'s own Stanley Cup playoffs, in bubble hockey
Customized game at the B.C. Sports Hall of Fame features the province's two Stanley Cup-winning teams, the 1915 Vancouver Millionaires and the 1925 Victoria Cougars A customized bubble hockey game featuring B.C.'s two Stanley Cup winners - the 1915 Vancouver Millionaires and the 1925 Victoria Cougars - was recently donated to the B.C. Sports Hall of Fame. Photo by Jason Payne / PNG Alas, the Vancouver Canucks aren't going to win the Stanley Cup this year — the 2024-25 team didn't even make the playoffs. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors This makes it 110 years since the Vancouver Millionaires won the city's one and only Cup in 1915. Even Victoria has had a shorter Cup drought — the Victoria Cougars won the trophy in 1925. But there is a place for local hockey fans to work out their B.C. Cup dreams: a new bubble-hockey game at the B.C. Sports Hall of Fame. The customized Super Chexx Pro game was unveiled at a Family Medicine Forum on Nov. 6-9, 2024, at the Vancouver Convention Centre, where it was used in a recreation area at the event. 'They painted (the players) in Vancouver Millionaires and Victoria Cougars colours, so that you have the 1915 Stanley Cup champion playing the 1925 Stanley Cup champion,' explains Jason Beck of the Hall of Fame. 'Player names and numbers are on each player, so you've got (Millionaire) Cyclone Taylor facing (Cougar) Frank Frederickson. It's really cool.' Essential reading for hockey fans who eat, sleep, Canucks, repeat. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. It is really cool, with customized sounds and lighting that make it unique. B.C. Sports Hall of Fame curatorial and research coordinator Rachel Stein with a customized bubble hockey game recently donated to the museum. The game features the two B.C. Stanley Cup winning teams, the 1915 Vancouver Millionaires and the 1925 Victoria Cougars. Photo by Jason Payne / PNG The uniforms are beautiful: royal maroon jerseys, white pants and striped socks for the Millionaires, sky-blue jerseys, gold pants and striped socks for the Cougars. Radio personality Matt Price adds commentary ('The B.C. Historical Classic is underway!'). 'O Canada' plays before the start of the game. A siren goes off after someone scores. A Jumbotron scoreboard above centre ice reads 'Patrick Arena,' after the Patrick family that started up the Pacific Coast Hockey Association, where the Millionaires and the Cougars played. A history and photographs of the two teams are displayed on the base of the game, which is labelled: 'British Columbia Historical Classic, Electrified Ice Hockey Simulator Machine.' It also lists some of the innovations that Frank and Lester Patrick introduced into their league ('Blue lines! Penalty shots! Jersey numbers!') This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The historical classic is the brainstorm of Robert O'Connor, a family doctor in Metchosin, a Victoria suburb. Last year, O'Connor wanted to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Victoria's Cup victory. So he bought a bubble-hockey game and customized it in his garage. Each player in the British Columbia Historical Classic bubble hockey game has their name and number on the back of their uniform. This is Vancouver Millionaires defenceman Frank Griffis and Victoria Cougars forward Haldor Halderson. Courtesy of Robert O'Connor. 'It's a team effort,' he said. 'I did the art design and the direction and the concept, and we had some carpenters make a nice custom-cut oak base that you could roll around. 'My next-door neighbour Gaye had painted these little rocks and stuff for something to do. I said, 'Hey, did you want to paint some hockey players?' She said, 'Yeah sure, let's do it.' 'There's a sign shop down the street. You can make these tiny little jersey numbers for the backs, so we cut them all out and clear-coated them all and popped them back on.' Changing the sound meant a bit of 'ripping out the guts' and putting in new code for the commentary and sounds. But it was all done in a couple of months for the medical conference, which loved the idea. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'They have these things to kind of keep the docs and their kids occupied during the conference,' he explained. 'We said, 'Hey, do you want something different?' ' It proved very popular during the conference. 'It's something everyone can play of every generation and skill ability,' he said. 'It's a game of skill, but there's still a bit of luck involved. It's just fun, safe, family friendly. You see a family of kids and parents all playing together.' When the conference was over, he gave it to the Hall of Fame, where it can be seen and played by the masses — it's set up for visitors to play for free. It also travelled back to Victoria in March for a celebration of the Victoria Cougars winning the Cup. O'Connor was among thousands of people who lined up to get their picture taken with the Cup, which had been brought to Victoria for the 100th anniversary. Standing in line, he realized the bubble-hockey game would have been perfect for the occasion — and to his surprise, turned a corner and found it was already there, being played by kids. jmackie@ Read More Kids enjoy the B.C. Historical Classic bubble-hockey game at the 100th anniversary of the Victoria Cougars Stanley Cup win in Victoria. They were playing next to the Cup, which had been brought to the celebration. Credit: Robert O'Connor Sports News Vancouver Canucks Sports National
Vancouver Sun
13-05-2025
- Sport
- Vancouver Sun
B.C.'s own Stanley Cup playoffs, in bubble hockey
Alas, the Vancouver Canucks aren't going to win the Stanley Cup this year — the 2024-25 team didn't even make the playoffs. This makes it 110 years since the Vancouver Millionaires won the city's one and only Cup in 1915. Even Victoria has had a shorter Cup drought — the Victoria Cougars won the trophy in 1925. But there is a place for local hockey fans to work out their B.C. Cup dreams: a new bubble-hockey game at the B.C. Sports Hall of Fame. The customized Super Chexx Pro game was unveiled at a Family Medicine Forum on Nov. 6-9, 2024, at the Vancouver Convention Centre, where it was used in a recreation area at the event. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. 'They painted (the players) in Vancouver Millionaires and Victoria Cougars colours, so that you have the 1915 Stanley Cup champion playing the 1925 Stanley Cup champion,' explains Jason Beck of the Hall of Fame. 'Player names and numbers are on each player, so you've got (Millionaire) Cyclone Taylor facing (Cougar) Frank Frederickson. It's really cool.' It is really cool, with customized sounds and lighting that make it unique. The uniforms are beautiful: royal maroon jerseys, white pants and striped socks for the Millionaires, sky-blue jerseys, gold pants and striped socks for the Cougars. Radio personality Matt Price adds commentary ('The B.C. Historical Classic is underway!'). 'O Canada' plays before the start of the game. A siren goes off after someone scores. A Jumbotron scoreboard above centre ice reads 'Patrick Arena,' after the Patrick family that started up the Pacific Coast Hockey Association, where the Millionaires and the Cougars played. A history and photographs of the two teams are displayed on the base of the game, which is labelled: 'British Columbia Historical Classic, Electrified Ice Hockey Simulator Machine.' It also lists some of the innovations that Frank and Lester Patrick introduced into their league ('Blue lines! Penalty shots! Jersey numbers!') The historical classic is the brainstorm of Robert O'Connor, a family doctor in Metchosin, a Victoria suburb. Last year, O'Connor wanted to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Victoria's Cup victory. So he bought a bubble-hockey game and customized it in his garage. 'It's a team effort,' he said. 'I did the art design and the direction and the concept, and we had some carpenters make a nice custom-cut oak base that you could roll around. 'My next-door neighbour Gaye had painted these little rocks and stuff for something to do. I said, 'Hey, did you want to paint some hockey players?' She said, 'Yeah sure, let's do it.' 'There's a sign shop down the street. You can make these tiny little jersey numbers for the backs, so we cut them all out and clear-coated them all and popped them back on.' Changing the sound meant a bit of 'ripping out the guts' and putting in new code for the commentary and sounds. But it was all done in a couple of months for the medical conference, which loved the idea. 'They have these things to kind of keep the docs and their kids occupied during the conference,' he explained. 'We said, 'Hey, do you want something different?' ' It proved very popular during the conference. 'It's something everyone can play of every generation and skill ability,' he said. 'It's a game of skill, but there's still a bit of luck involved. It's just fun, safe, family friendly. You see a family of kids and parents all playing together.' When the conference was over, he gave it to the Hall of Fame, where it can be seen and played by the masses — it's set up for visitors to play for free. It also travelled back to Victoria in March for a celebration of the Victoria Cougars winning the Cup. O'Connor was among thousands of people who lined up to get their picture taken with the Cup, which had been brought to Victoria for the 100th anniversary. Standing in line, he realized the bubble-hockey game would have been perfect for the occasion — and to his surprise, turned a corner and found it was already there, being played by kids. jmackie@
Ottawa Citizen
13-05-2025
- Sport
- Ottawa Citizen
B.C.'s own Stanley Cup playoffs, in bubble hockey
Article content Alas, the Vancouver Canucks aren't going to win the Stanley Cup this year — the 2024-25 team didn't even make the playoffs. Article content Article content This makes it 110 years since the Vancouver Millionaires won the city's one and only Cup in 1915. Even Victoria has had a shorter Cup drought — the Victoria Cougars won the trophy in 1925. Article content But there is a place for local hockey fans to work out their B.C. Cup dreams: a new bubble-hockey game at the B.C. Sports Hall of Fame. Article content Article content The customized Super Chexx Pro game was unveiled at a Family Medicine Forum on Nov. 6-9, 2024, at the Vancouver Convention Centre, where it was used in a recreation area at the event. Article content 'They painted (the players) in Vancouver Millionaires and Victoria Cougars colours, so that you have the 1915 Stanley Cup champion playing the 1925 Stanley Cup champion,' explains Jason Beck of the Hall of Fame. 'Player names and numbers are on each player, so you've got (Millionaire) Cyclone Taylor facing (Cougar) Frank Frederickson. It's really cool.' Article content Article content The uniforms are beautiful: royal maroon jerseys, white pants and striped socks for the Millionaires, sky-blue jerseys, gold pants and striped socks for the Cougars. Article content Radio personality Matt Price adds commentary ('The B.C. Historical Classic is underway!'). 'O Canada' plays before the start of the game. A siren goes off after someone scores. Article content Article content A Jumbotron scoreboard above centre ice reads 'Patrick Arena,' after the Patrick family that started up the Pacific Coast Hockey Association, where the Millionaires and the Cougars played. Article content Article content A history and photographs of the two teams are displayed on the base of the game, which is labelled: 'British Columbia Historical Classic, Electrified Ice Hockey Simulator Machine.' Article content It also lists some of the innovations that Frank and Lester Patrick introduced into their league ('Blue lines! Penalty shots! Jersey numbers!') Article content The historical classic is the brainstorm of Robert O'Connor, a family doctor in Metchosin, a Victoria suburb. Last year, O'Connor wanted to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Victoria's Cup victory. So he bought a bubble-hockey game and customized it in his garage. Article content
Calgary Herald
13-05-2025
- Sport
- Calgary Herald
B.C.'s own Stanley Cup playoffs, in bubble hockey
Article content Alas, the Vancouver Canucks aren't going to win the Stanley Cup this year — the 2024-25 team didn't even make the playoffs. Article content Article content This makes it 110 years since the Vancouver Millionaires won the city's one and only Cup in 1915. Even Victoria has had a shorter Cup drought — the Victoria Cougars won the trophy in 1925. Article content But there is a place for local hockey fans to work out their B.C. Cup dreams: a new bubble-hockey game at the B.C. Sports Hall of Fame. Article content Article content 'They painted (the players) in Vancouver Millionaires and Victoria Cougars colours, so that you have the 1915 Stanley Cup champion playing the 1925 Stanley Cup champion,' explains Jason Beck of the Hall of Fame. 'Player names and numbers are on each player, so you've got (Millionaire) Cyclone Taylor facing (Cougar) Frank Frederickson. It's really cool.' Article content Article content The uniforms are beautiful: royal maroon jerseys, white pants and striped socks for the Millionaires, sky-blue jerseys, gold pants and striped socks for the Cougars. Article content Radio personality Matt Price adds commentary ('The B.C. Historical Classic is underway!'). 'O Canada' plays before the start of the game. A siren goes off after someone scores. Article content Article content A Jumbotron scoreboard above centre ice reads 'Patrick Arena,' after the Patrick family that started up the Pacific Coast Hockey Association, where the Millionaires and the Cougars played. Article content Article content A history and photographs of the two teams are displayed on the base of the game, which is labelled: 'British Columbia Historical Classic, Electrified Ice Hockey Simulator Machine.' Article content It also lists some of the innovations that Frank and Lester Patrick introduced into their league ('Blue lines! Penalty shots! Jersey numbers!') Article content The historical classic is the brainstorm of Robert O'Connor, a family doctor in Metchosin, a Victoria suburb. Last year, O'Connor wanted to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Victoria's Cup victory. So he bought a bubble-hockey game and customized it in his garage. Article content
CBC
30-03-2025
- Sport
- CBC
100 years ago, the Victoria Cougars became the last B.C. hockey team to win the Stanley Cup
Sunday marks exactly 100 years since a hockey team from British Columbia won the Stanley Cup. On March 30, 1925, the Victoria Cougars of the Western Canada Hockey League defeated the National Hockey League's Montreal Canadiens 6-1 to clinch their best-of-five series, becoming the last non-NHL team to raise Lord Stanley's cup. Events will take place in the Victoria area over the weekend to mark the anniversary, including the display of the Stanley Cup at the Oak Bay Recreation Centre on Sunday afternoon. Among those in attendance will be Bob Miles, whose grand-uncle was Harry "Hap" Holmes, a goaltender who won four Stanley Cups with four different teams, including the Cougars. Miles said Holmes's nickname of "Happy" or "Hap" was an inside joke referring to the fact that he never smiled. His career began at a time when goaltenders weren't allowed to drop to the ice to make a save. He also used pads that were small in comparison to those used by modern netminders. A 1925 article in the Saskatoon Phoenix noted that Holmes made his own pads out of "some canvas, a few maple splints, a couple of straps, and a bit of felt." "A goalie can't be judged by the pads he wears, but rather by the pucks he stops," Holmes said. Holmes didn't wear a mask or a helmet, but he donned a cap on the ice to cover his bald scalp, according to the Hockey News, "because lore has it that his shiny head made for an easy target for fans who wanted to spit tobacco juice on him." Cougars' legacy remembered After the Cougars' victory over the Canadiens, the team drank champagne ordered from the Empress Hotel, according to a 1995 retrospective published in the Times Colonist, and the Stanley Cup was put on "unguarded display" at a jewelry store in downtown Victoria. The Cougars, who played their home games in an arena in Oak Bay, returned to the Stanley Cup final in 1926, falling to the Montreal Maroons. Following the loss, the league dissolved and several Cougars players were sold to a new NHL team in Detroit that was named the Cougars in honour of the defunct Victoria franchise, before ultimately changing its name to the Red Wings. Among the players who moved to Detroit was goaltender Holmes, who was posthumously elected into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1972. Miles hopes for a "loud and proud" celebration of the Cougars in Victoria, something that would make his taciturn grand-uncle proud. "Although his nickname was Happy and he never smiled, I'm sure he would be very happy to see the celebration going on this weekend in Victoria," he said.
