Most of us are familiar with the iconic luster associated with the shiny silver colour of a hockey puck, but did you know that the basic shape of a hockey puck was inspired by a rat? It’s true! While most people associate the colour of a hockey puck with the element of luck, the real story behind the colour of the puck is a bit more intriguing.
Table of Contents
Early Origins of the Puck
It all started back in the 1800s, when ice hockey, then called «rat hockey», was first played in Canada. The sport got its name from the grey rats that scurried around on the ice in pursuit of mice. In those days, the goal was for the player with the puck to roll it toward the opponent’s net to score a goal. While it might sound like fun, it was actually quite dangerous. If the ball got stuck in the net, the mice would eventually freeze to death from lack of food.
The First Uniforms of Hockey Players
One thing that changed with the advent of ice hockey was the equipment used by the players. Instead of using their hands to control the puck, they started wearing equipment specifically designed for the purpose. It’s estimated that during the first half of the 1800s, players wore around 80% of their weight in pants, which were made out of wool or cotton. The overcoat was made out of a similar material and was worn over the shirts and blazers. The rest of the weight was in the form of a petticoat, a long, thin skirt that dragged on the ice behind the player.
The Evolution of the Hockey Puck
The shape of a hockey puck changed over time as well, evolving from a rounded sphere to the hexagonal shape we know today. In the 1880s, manufacturers started replacing the spindly wooden sticks with metal ones made out of steel or iron. They also replaced the skirts with bodices, which were designed to accentuate the femininity of the sport.
Black as a Status Symbol
It was during this period that the colour black gained popularity among hockey players. As the 19th century progressed, it became a status symbol to sport the colour black in team uniforms. The trend caught on and has continued through the years.
Although ice hockey evolved from a sport played by affluent men, it has been around long enough to attract a diverse range of fans. Nowadays, you’ll see hockey players wearing colour-coordinated outfits, which makes the game even more exciting to watch.