A little-known fact about the National Hockey League is that it was originally founded on the scrum framework. This is due to the fact that the sport was developed in the UK during World War II. This article will tell you more about the origin of the scrum method and how it’s used in hockey.
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How The Scrum Framework Was Born In World War II
When the second world war began in 1939, the UK government looked to the sports to help alleviate the tension caused by the conflict. The National Hockey League, or NHL, was one of the first sports leagues to adapt to this and run competitions and benefit from the growth of professional sport during the war.
It is recorded that Dr. William G. Horne, one of the founders of modern sports science, helped establish the National Hockey League as medical director back in 1944. At the time, there were no set rules for hockey, and players used to wear full hockey regalia, including helmets and shoulder pads. Horne believed that structured competitions would help stimulate interest in the sport and grow the league. In addition, he also worked with the Scottish and Welsh leagues to help them transition to the new format.
A key figure in the creation of the National Football League and the modern day NHL was the American football pioneer, Dr. James Norman “Jim” Parker. Parker, who worked with Horne during the war, also helped establish the American Football League. Parker’s work in establishing structured league play led to him be credited with creating the modern sports league.
In 1945, the NHL adopted a new format for their competitions and invited teams from Great Britain to take part. The first official NHL game was played on December 30th that same year, with the Toronto Maple Leafs taking on the Montreal Canadiens.
How The Scrum Framework Was Popularized In The NHL
The National Hockey League decided to adopt a new competition format for its 1946–47 season that was heavily influenced by Parker’s work in the area of sports organization. The new format, which consisted of four teams instead of the previous season’s two, adopted the same number of games as a traditional season, but played them as a series of one-off contests throughout the year. These matches were refereed and officiated by American football officials and were played under the “hockey rules” with the exception of goals scored from outside the playing field.
The main difference between the hockey scrum and the American football one was that the former used a points system where three points were awarded for a win, and one for a draw. This was done to increase competition throughout the year, as well as give the public more frequent entertainment. The new competition format was a great success and was soon adopted by other leagues, including the NHL’s other rival, the American Football League.
The Rise Of The Scrum In The NHL
The popularity of the new format resulted in the league increasing the number of teams from four to six for its 1947–48 season. The following year, the league expanded again to eight teams and then ten for its 1950–51 season. In 1951, the NHL officially adopted the name “scrum” for their new format. This was done as a nod to the format’s origins in the UK during World War II. During this time, the word “scrum” was used as a jargon term in the military to describe a quick-paced, high-intensity battle between individuals or teams.
The name stuck, and to this day, the NHL still uses the term “scrum” to refer to their structured competitions. In 1960, the competition format expanded to 12 teams and was used for the first time in a Stanley Cup playoff bout that year.
Modern Day Scrum In The NHL
Although the name “scrum” has been used in the NHL for over 60 years, the format continues to evolve as modern-day professionals find new and innovative ways to improve their performances.
Nowadays, the main difference between the NHL’s modern-day scrum and the one that originally inspired it is in the amount of time that is allotted for each practice session. Back in the day, players would meet several times a week and spend a good chunk of the session working on their skating and stick-handling skills. These days, teams need to meet just once or twice a week and have almost no contact outside these sessions, which means less injuries and improved performances from player to player.
The Importance Of Structure
In general, sports and games that are organized and structured, such as hockey and rugby, have a much lower injury rate than those that are not. In addition to this, structured sports allow for much greater individual and team development, because coaches have the time to work with players on their weaknesses and help them improve.
Another benefit of having a structured sports league is that fans get to see their favorite players more often. This is important, especially in the case of Canadian hockey, where the vast majority of talent resides in the Eastern Seaboard. In turn, this means that fans in other parts of the country have to make do with less exciting hockey and larger gaps between games.
The Importance Of Fun
While athletes are certainly focused on their work when they’re in the gym or on the field, they still need to have some fun. Fortunately, many professional sports allow for a certain degree of levity and light-heartedness. For example, in hockey, players often have fun nicknames and slogans that are chanted throughout games.
In addition, hockey teams have mascots that they can have fun with and that children can get excited about. In the UK, the original “scrum” was inspired by the war efforts, and in Canada, the name was chosen in reference to a type of Aboriginal tribe. Nonetheless, these days, fans often get excited about the speed and skill of the athletes, not so much about the names and slogans of the teams.
Overall, the World War II era was a formative one for the NHL. Not only did it see the creation of one of the world’s great sports leagues, but it also helped spread the use of a new and innovative competition format that continues to evolve even today.