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In 1904, Dawson City, then booming because of
the gold mining in the area, sported 4 hockey
teams, and an enclosed arena, built in 1902. A
Dawson "all-star" team was formed to challenge the
Stanley Cup Champions, Ottawa Silver Seven. The
team left Dawson City by dog sled, bicycle, and on
foot to board a train in Whitehorse, a five day
journey. However, the train line was hit with
several snow slides delaying their arrival in
Skagway. The ship that was to take the team to
Vancouver, having to maintain a schedule, left
without the team. |
Several days later, another vessel would take
them to Seattle, necessitating a trip back to
Vancouver to catch the train to Ottawa. This 3 week
trip was arduous, and the boys had only one day's
rest before playing the strong Ottawa team. Dawson
lost both games: 9 - 2, and 23 - 2. This was
7-a-side hockey with no substitutes! Their journey
was not over, as they continued playing an
exhibition series, which at one point, saw them
playing 12 games in 12 days. Now, that's a road
trip! |
