History of Hockey in Timeline

Hockey encompasses a variety of team sports played in summer and winter, originating on fields, ice, or dry floors. These sports share common traits: two teams using sticks to move a ball or disk into a goal, although specific rules, player numbers, attire, and playing surfaces differ.

1900: Bandy Spreads Across Europe

Around 1900, Bandy spread from England to other European countries.

1908: Men's field hockey at the Summer Olympics

Since 1908, men's field hockey has been played at every Summer Olympic Games, with the exceptions of 1912 and 1924.

1912: Men's field hockey not played at the Summer Olympics

Men's field hockey was not played at the Summer Olympics in 1912.

1920: Men's ice hockey at the Summer Olympics

In 1920, men's ice hockey was played at the Summer Olympics.

1924: Men's field hockey not played at the Summer Olympics

Men's field hockey was not played at the Summer Olympics in 1924.

1924: Men's ice hockey at the Winter Olympics

Since 1924, men's ice hockey has been played at the Winter Olympics.

1936: Rules for floor hockey codified

In 1936, during the Great Depression, Canada's Sam Jacks codified the rules for a style of floor hockey that uses a straight stick and an open disk.

1957: Bandy World Championships Began

Since 1957, Bandy World Championships have been played.

1963: Ringette Invented

In 1963, Ringette was invented in Canada. It is a Canadian ice skating team sport that went on to inspire the floor game of gym ringette in the 1990s.

1980: Women's field hockey at the Summer Olympics

Since 1980, women's field hockey has been played at the Summer Olympic Games.

1992: Roller hockey demonstration sport

In 1992, Roller hockey was a demonstration sport at the Barcelona Summer Olympics.

1998: Women's ice hockey at the Winter Olympics

Since 1998, women's ice hockey was added to the Winter Olympics.

2004: Women's Bandy World Championships Began

Since 2004, Women's Bandy World Championships have been played.

December 19, 2009: First organized inline sledge hockey game

On December 19, 2009, the first game of organized inline sledge hockey was played in Bisley, Surrey, England, between the Hull Stingrays and the Grimsby Redwings.