The Early Days

Hockey team from Trail at Moyie, 1910As a fast-growing industrial town, Trail attracted large numbers of single men and sports quickly became a prominent part of the social culture.

Hockey was first played in Trail and Rossland in the early 1900's when weather permitted outdoor games on natural ice surfaces. The earliest hockey league in B.C. was formed in 1908, in the Boundary area, with teams from Phoenix, Greenwood and Grand Forks competing. Rossland and Nelson joined later.

Trail was invited to join the Kootenay Hockey League in 1912 and played out of the new Trail Rink (Fall Fair Building).

In 1922, Kootenay teams first played for the B.C. amateur title and were eligible to compete for the Allan Cup.

In 1924 and 1925, Rossland teams won the Provincial title. In 1927, artificial ice was installed in the Trail Rink.

The old rinkThe first Trail senior amateur hockey team was organized in 1926 and they were immediately successful, winning the 1926-27 Savage Cup (Provincial Championship) and going to the Allan Cup Semi-Finals. They repeated as Provincial Champions in 1927-28, 1928-29, 1929-30, 1930-31, 1931-32, and 1932-33. In these years they reached the Allan Cup Semi-Finals in 1928, 1929 and 1930. A remarkable record.

Hockey was now firmly established as the number one sport in Trail.