With Esso Cup on-ice action in the rearview mirror, I figured I’d also wrap up the rest of my historical hockey talk.
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Lloyd’s hockey history is extensive. For a town that loves hockey as much as it does, a lot has gone on.
Early in its history, hockey hit a pretty quick road bump in 1908 when the first covered rink burned down. The Eastern Alberta Hockey League was formed in the same year and featured teams from Lloydminster, Kitscoty, Vermilion and Islay.
Hockey continued to grow until the First World War left teams with fewer players.
Organized leagues had to take a backseat until 1923, when the Western Saskatchewan Hockey League was formed with Lloyd, Lashburn and Maidstone competing against each other.
It took more than 20 years from the first covered rink for the town to get a new one. It opened in 1928 giving teams a chance to play in better conditions. I’m sure getting snowed on during the game or freezing rain was probably not ideal.
It may have been the new arena that helped encourage players, but the Lloydminster Elks Hockey team won 1929-1930 Alberta intermediate A championships.
Unfortunately, fire seemed to creep in and stifle the fun at the new arena. Lloydminster’s second covered rink burned down in 1934.
Within two months, a new arena was built but the Prolites, the team of the time was still left without equipment.
“They had to finish their season with begged, borrowed or stolen equipment,” read an article in The Lloydminster Times.
The Prolites overcame the odds to win the Craig Cup against Vegreville in triple overtime.
The Lloydminster Times was correct in a prediction that new rules would add more excitement to the sport. The new rule in question, body checking would be allowed anywhere on the ice.
Hockey continued to gain popularity as it entered into the schools as an organized sport.
Here in modern Lloydminster, the Esso Cup is firmly in the past now and it marks the end of not only the hockey season but the end of the Centennial Civic Centre in Lloydminster.
It’s a moment to reflect on everything the Civic Centre has given the border town. It also marks excitement for hockey as next year it’ll take place in the brand-new Cenovus Energy Hub.
I was never a big hockey fan, having fallen out of love with the sport when I was younger. Coming to the border city and seeing families, friends and fans get so excited to see the local teams compete gives a whole different atmosphere to the game.
I’ll be back out next year to the local rink to watch some amazing hockey and I’m sure I’ll see you there.
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