A Map of the Teams Involved in the International Hockey Federation/Fedération Internationale du Hockey
Hockey, played recreationally across the francophone regions of northern North America for over half a century, did not have an easy route to follow when it came to developing a professional league. The natural limitations of a sport played on ice limit the length of the playing season and the extent of the playable regions, and outside of New France, Métis and Canada, the sport is either unknown or viewed as an odd northern fad.
From its beginnings in the early 1920s with the touring of various elite teams in shows or exhibition matches, Federation Hockey is generally regarded to have begun with the original awarding of the Champions Cup to the Winnipeg Manitous in 1924 at the end of their original, undefeated tour. Gilles Dupuis, the manager of the Manitous, was instrumental in contacting various other sporting clubs in neighbouring cities and countries, and organizing the first organized, league matches between them.
Through the early years, the FIH operated as a challenge league. A wide variety of teams, many of them little more than amateurs, could face other Federation teams to gain points, and the teams with the highest points totals could challenge the incumbent team for the Cup. This chaotic period saw a huge number of teams appear- even brief-lived groups from Detroit, Boston and Richmond- but only a few rose to prominence and fame. The Winnipeg Manitous were dominant during this period, but were regularly challenged by the New French Nationals, developing a fierce rivalry that continues to this day. Further eastwards, a separate rivalry was boiling up between English and French Canada. As something of a release valve for pressures and tensions between the Canadians and Québecois, matches between various francophone teams and the Toronto Cloverleafs- the heroes of anglo-hockey- were the sources of great pride for the victors, and were heavily attended.
However, the challenge years were not to last. Between 1924 and 1928, the Federation became bloated with a huge number of challengers, and the costs of transportation for so many teams and matches were becoming prohibitive. Worse, the rapid inflation of the teams had caused a drop in average talent in the athletes, and consequently smaller crowds and lower profits. Only a few of the most successful clubs- the New French Nationals, Winnipeg Manitous, Toronto Cloverleafs, Montréal Habitants and Québec Fleurs de Lys managed to carry themselves above the escalating crisis.
It was in 1928 when the Federation reformed into its present state. A huge number of folding teams were dropped from the league, and rigorous new standards were implemented as prerequisites for Federation membership. Three Leagues were formed- one in the Republic of New France, one in the Métis Syndicate, and one in Canada. Each League would play games within itself throughout the season- League Games, between the three major teams of each league, and various exhibition games against local teams or applicants to the Federation.
At the end of each playing season, four teams remained in contention- the Incumbent Team (the winner of last year's cup), and the most successful team from each league. The 3 challenger teams played 3-game series against each other, and the best team from this round would go on to challenge the Incumbent for the Cup. In the situation where the leading team of a league was also the incumbent, it would get a by through the round, and the two remaining teams could play a single 3-game series.
Today, the league is still young, and things are looking up. The sport of hockey is vivacious and as popular as ever in its homelands. Interest may even be growing in warmer climes, where the proliferation of inexpensive refrigeration technology may someday allow hockey to be played even in the warmest winters. Until that time comes, however, we shall enjoy the sport as it is.
The Champions Cup
1923/24- Winnipeg Manitous
1924/25- Winnipeg Manitous
1925/26- New French Nationals
1926/27- Winnipeg Manitous
1927/28- Winnipeg Manitous
1928/29- New French Nationals
1929/30- Toronto Cloverleafs
1930/31- Winnipeg Manitous
1931/32- Montréal Habitants
1932/33- Montréal Habitants