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Until 1966, the German Hockey Associations, in both West Germany and East Germany, had been producing a rules book for their domestic use which was used by other European countries but not by Great Britain.

Then in 1966, the Germans handed over responsibility for the rules to the FIH Indoor Hockey Committee. Accordingly in 1966 the FIH Office in Brussels produced the first FIH Indoor Rules Book in three languages, German, French and English. Significantly, in 1968 the FIH recognised the indoor game by decreeing in its Constitution that hockey included indoor hockey.

The FIH Indoor Hockey Committee continued to be responsible for the Indoor Rules Book via the Brussels office, until responsibility for the indoor rules was transferred in 1988 to the Hockey Rules Board.

The Rules of Indoor Hockey

1966

Six players, including a goalkeeper and six substitutes, but only at specific situations in the game.
If any team was reduced to less than four players, the opponents were declared the winners.
Dimensions of pitch and goals (slightly smaller than those of outdoor hockey).
Hits not allowed – pushes only and no raised ball except when shooting at goal.
At penalty corners only the defending goalkeeper was permitted to stand in the goal until the ball was pushed out, with the other players required to stand outside the goal behind the back line on the opposite side from where the ball was being played – they could, after the ball was played, move into the goal-mouth.
The game was to be played on any hard, fast surface. Players’ footwear and equipment were specified and goalkeepers’ gloves were to be the same as for outdoor hockey.
No offside and no corners.
Playing time (originally 2 × 15 minutes) was increased to 2 × 20 minutes with lesser time for junior domestic matches.
Several rules followed the basic principles of outdoor hockey including the stick and the ball although later the indoor ball was required to be seamless. In 1986 the rules book was re-written to conform as closely as possible to the rules of outdoor hockey.

One indoor rule in 1966 provided for a penalty stroke from 7 metres to be awarded for ‘any grave and unsporting behaviour by a team in its own half of the ground’. Also, there was the rule providing that a penalty corner be awarded for a deliberate offence within a player’s own half. In 1966 a player could be temporarily suspended ‘for unsporting behaviour’ for two to five minutes or be suspended for the remainder of the game and an incapacitated or suspended goalkeeper had to be replaced by another goalkeeper.

Finally, the use of the hand to stop the ball in the air during play or at penalty corners by players other than the goalkeeper was permitted until 1992.

1974:

Players must not stand in their opponents’ goal mouth.
Time prolonged at half-time and full-time to allow penalty corners to be completed.
Prior to a revised edition in 1976 – the provision to forbid substitutions after the award of a penalty corner or penalty stroke.
1975/6:

A player’s stick must be on the ground when playing the ball for a shot at goal.
A player may not hit or play the ball in the air (but could stop it).
Players may not take part in the game whilst lying on the pitch except for goalkeepers within their own circles, introduced because players were lying on the pitch thus reducing the playing area and causing unwanted obstruction.
1978:

An injured player was permitted to be substituted during normal play (but only the injured player).
It was also made clear that an umpire’s jurisdiction also extended to all players including those occupying the team benches.
1979:

The substitution of a goalkeeper by a field player with the privileges of a goalkeeper was required to wear a different coloured shirt.
A provision was inserted to permit substitution of incapacitated goalkeepers at penalty corners and penalty strokes.
The coloured card procedure (green, yellow, red) was formally introduced.
Permitting a shot at goal after the ball had been stopped (by hand or stick) either inside or outside the circle.
At a free push all opposition players had to be at least three metres from the ball.
For all free pushes within three metres of the circle, all players had to be three metres from the ball.
Free pushes for the ball going over the side-boards could be taken up to one metre from the boards.
1986:

A total revision of the rules book appeared based on that of the outdoor rules book and included Guidance and Advice for Players and Umpires.

No player (except the goalkeeper) to play with knees, arms or hands on the pitch in the act of playing the ball or stopping it at penalty corners.
In normal play the hand holding the stick was permitted to be on the pitch for tackling purposes.
Goalkeepers were not permitted to play the ball outside the circle whilst lying on the ground.
Players were now not permitted to deliberately enter within (as well as stand in) an opponents’ goal mouth, or run behind the goals.

1990-92

The award of a penalty stroke for unsporting behaviour in a player’s half of the pitch was deleted.
Requirements relating to personal equipment, including helmets used by goalkeepers.
Goalkeepers allowed to stop the ball with their stick above their shoulder.
Field players, when acting as goalkeepers, not permitted to wear helmets outside the circle but compulsory for defending penalty corners and penalty strokes, 1992.
The Hockey Rules Board brought indoor hockey in line with the outdoor game by abolishing all use of the hand except by goalkeepers defending their goal including also abolishing the hand stop at penalty corners. This was somewhat controversial as it was pointed out by indoor hockey followers that this would prevent a legitimate high shot at goal being stopped by hand by a field player at penalty corners. However, the rule has now found general acceptance given the fact that hockey was to be regarded as a stick and ball game.

1996

Centre pass to start or re-start the game in any direction.
The free push must move at least 10 centimetres before another player of the same team can play the ball and it did not need not be taken on the exact spot of the offence but within playing distance.
Goalkeepers permitted to wear ‘hand protectors’ which were no longer referred to as gauntlets or with any reference to fingers and which were subject to size limitations (23 centimetres wide and 35.5 centimetres long).
The obstruction rule was simplified and included holding the ball against the side-board as an offence.
The new 1996 book also included Technical Advice, an innovation introduced to assist nations to start or improve indoor hockey facilities.

2000

Stick specification was agreed – a diagram of the stick was included in the Indoor Rule Book.
A mandatory experiment relating to play with the edge of the stick.
Substitution of an attacker or defender permitted at the award of a Penalty Stroke.
The captain’s responsibility for team discipline was increased to include substitutes.
For a further offence before the awarded penalty has been taken, the penalty may be progressed up to five metres, upgraded and/or dealt with as misconduct, or reversed if committed by the previously benefiting team
2004

This was the first update of the indoor Rules since 2000. It was therefore appropriate to incorporate the relevant minor changes which had been introduced to the outdoor Rules in the interim. The overall presentation of indoor hockey was also simplified by adopting common indoor and outdoor Rules where appropriate but retaining the distinctive characteristics of each version of the game.

in common with outdoor hockey, permitting a captain to be on the pitch or, at particular times in the match, to be a substitute;
making the Rules governing substitution the same for indoor and outdoor hockey (ie at any time except within the period from the award of a penalty corner until after it has been completed);
simplifying and standardising how a penalty corner is completed for substitution purposes and at the end of half-time and full-time;
requiring field players who leave the pitch for injury treatment, refreshment, to change equipment or for some reason other than substitution to re-enter only within 3 metres of the centre-line;
specifying how the result of a match is decided;
rationalising procedures for starting and re-starting play so that the procedures for taking a free push also apply to the centre pass and to putting the ball back into play after it has passed completely over the side-board or back-line;
retaining the fundamental characteristics of the bully but simplifying it by requiring sticks to touch only once;
specifying that players must not force an opponent into offending unintentionally;
simplifying the obstruction Rule by referring in the Rule itself only to the fundamental principle that players must not obstruct an opponent who is attempting to play the ball;
specifying that players must not tackle unless they are in a position to play the ball without body contact;
specifying the ‘advantage Rule’ more simply and clearly;
introducing the Mandatory Experimental Rule to indoor hockey which permitted a defender to use the stick to stop or deflect a shot at goal at any height;
introducing the Mandatory Experimental Rule to indoor hockey which specified that the ball must travel outside the circle but need not be stopped before a shot at a goal at a penalty corner; this replaced the previous requirement that the ball must be stopped or come to rest inside or outside the circle before a shot could be taken;
requiring the player taking a penalty stroke to start by standing behind and within playing distance of the ball and not permitting them to approach either the ball or the goalkeeper after taking the stroke (ie the former limitation of taking only one step forward was deleted);
specifying that the whistle must be blown to start a penalty stroke when both players are in position (rather than requiring the umpire to confirm that both are ready which can cause confusion in the absence of a common spoken language);
it was specified that the penalty stroke is taken again if a goalkeeper prevents a goal being scored but leaves the goal-line or moves either foot before the ball was played;
permitting the intended duration of a temporary suspension to be extended for misconduct by a player while suspended;
introducing new umpiring signals to indicate dangerous play and stick obstruction.
2005

permitting a defender to use the stick to stop or deflect a shot at goal at any height;
requiring the ball to travel outside the circle before a shot at goal at a penalty corner but not requiring it to be stopped.
2006

The only change this year was to the maximum bow/rake permitted in the stick. It was reduced from 50mm to 25mm.

2007/8

permitting a team either to have a goalkeeper on the field (with full protective equipment or only with protective headgear) or to play entirely with field players (in which case no player has goalkeeping privileges).
specifying the face protection which field players are permitted to wear especially in relation to defending a penalty corner.
clarifying that a defender must not be penalised if their stick is not motionless or is travelling towards the ball while attempting to stop or deflect the shot even when the ball is above shoulder height.
permitting a goalkeeper to use their hands, arms or any other part of their body (and not just their stick, kickers and leg-guards as hitherto) to move the ball away but only as part of a goal saving action and not to propel the ball forcefully so that it travels a long distance.
2009

a pitch should be the full-size of 44 metres by 22 metres unless this is not possible in particular sports halls;
to enable teams to review their game plans and tactics, “time-outs” were introduced;
as in the 2009 rules for field/outdoor hockey, the player taking the free push may use a “self-pass” whereby they continue playing the ball immediately after taking the free push;
additionally, free pushes taken by a team inside the half of the pitch they are attacking must not be played directly into the circle from a free push; it must be played by another player or touch the side-boards.
The major changes above were all implemented as Mandatory Experimental Rules to ensure they were monitored and reviewed. Other smaller changes provided clarification and explanation of certain rules:

how to deal with a team which has too many players on the pitch;
the roles and actions when playing with a goalkeeper, a field player with goalkeeping privileges or only with field players were clarified;
the circumstances in which a goalkeeper or field player with goalkeeping privileges can move the ball away using their hands, arms or body;
the ways in which a penalty corner is completed were all consolidated within the penalty corner Rule.
2011

the “self-pass” rule which had been introduced as a mandatory experimental rule in 2009 was confirmed as a full rule. The restriction on pushing the ball directly into the circle from free pushes in the attacking half of the pitch was amended to permit the ball to enter the circle directly after touching the side-board outside the circle. Subject to this change, the former mandatory experimental rule was confirmed as a full rule.

The rule which specified that “players must not force an opponent into offending unintentionally” was deleted. Any action of this sort can instead be dealt with under other Rules.

The penalties applying for an offence during the taking of a penalty corner were listed in detail fro the first time. The penalties applying for an offence during the taking of a penalty stroke were rationalised.

Conclusion:

With rule changes not everything can be covered and many alterations and amendments were made to the indoor book which followed previous action taken for hockey as a whole. This kept with the policy of keeping the indoor game as near as possible to the rules of outdoor hockey

Note Editions of the Indoor Hockey Rules Book were issued as follows:

FIH 1966, 1974, 1976, 1978, 1979, 1981, 1982, 1984, 1986-88

HRB 1988-90, 1990-92, 1992, 1996, 2000, 2004, 2005, 2007/8, 2009, 2011

This History of the Rules of Indoor Hockey is based on research initially conducted on behalf of the Hockey Rules Board by Ernest Wall in 2000.

PRESIDENT

Administator

1302 posts

posted over 12 years ago #720

Field Hockey → FIH - History of the Rules - Outdoors

History of the Rules

Just like the history of the game itself, the official hockey rules have constantly evolved throughout the years. Take a look back at how the game was played in the past and see what warranted a whistle in previous generations.The following chronology begins with the extracts from the 1876 rules gleaned from the Surbiton Hockey Club minute book.

1876

the pitch was 100-150 yards long and 50- 80 yards wide; goals consisted of 7 feet tall posts placed 6 yards apart;
the sticks were “curved and wooden approved by the Committee of the Association” the ball was an “ordinary sized cricket ball”;
offside is specified as requiring three opponents to be near their own goal-line
if the ball goes out of play over the side-line play was restarted by rolling the ball back into the field at right angles to the line;
players were not permitted to raise their stick above their shoulder;
a circle does not seem to be marked on the pitch but the rules do say that “no goals shall be allowed if the ball be hit from a distance of more than 15 yards from the nearest goalpost”;
if a rule was infringed “the ball shall be brought back and a bully shall take place”;
the flat playing side of the stick is not defined but the rules do say that “the ball shall be played from right to left”.
1886

The Hockey Association (England) drew up a code of Rules based on those used by clubs in the London area
the pitch should be 100 yards long by 55 to 60 yards wide; goals should be 4 yards wide with a cross bar 7 feet from the ground; there would be a striking circle with a radius of 15 yards; flags (not lines) indicated the 25 yards area;
the game was to be started (and re-started after a goal) by a bully which involved three taps of the stick between two players at the centre spot; a bully would also be taken at 25 yards after the ball had gone over the back-line;
all non-involved players had to be 5 yards from the ball at free hits, rolls-in and bullies; rolls-in by hand were used to put the ball into play after it had gone over the side-line;
teams comprised eleven players – five forwards, three half-backs, two full-backs and one goalkeeper; no substitutes were allowed
the game was controlled either by two umpires or one umpire (referee) assisted by two linesmen;
hockey sticks were made of wood with leather-covered handles;
balls used were traditional leather-covered cricket balls painted white;
there was no mention of goalkeepers equipment;
the ball was played with one side of the stick (the left hand side) only; the ball could not be played above the shoulder or with the rounded side (back) of the stick;
it was not permitted to kick, trip, shove, or obstruct an opponent;
hands and feet could be used to stop the ball but then had to be moved out of the way; feet and legs could not to be used behind the ball to resist opponents;
goalkeepers could kick the ball but only within their own circles;
hooking of sticks was allowed but only within striking distance of the ball;
offside (with less than 3 defenders) was applied from the half-way line;
a bully was taken in the circle for an offence by a defender; free hits were given for other fouls.
1900

The International Rules Board (later the Hockey Rules Board) was formed on 23 April 1900 in London by the men’s Hockey Associations of England, Ireland and Wales; the Rules of the Game were decided thereafter by the Board. The first meeting of the International Rules Board was held on the 25 July 1900. Advantage was recognised; not every offence was to be penalised immediately.

1904

Intentional undercutting and raising the ball from a hit was to be penalised. The scoop stroke was permitted.

1905

Each umpire was to take half of the pitch for the whole game without changing ends and to take decisions on rolls-in for the whole of their side-line, but not for corners. Umpires were also empowered to warn and/or suspend players from the game. A weight limit of 28 ounces was laid down for sticks. The width of the pitch could be up to 66 yards.

1907

Umpires were allowed to apply the Rules without waiting for an appeal. Prior to this time appeals had to be made by players before an umpire could give a decision.

1908

The penalty corner was introduced for offences by defenders in the circle. At a penalty corner, the Rules required the ball to be stopped before a shot at goal but this was not umpired rigorously. All defenders were behind the goal-line with attacking players outside the circle. The bully was replaced by a penalty bully for deliberately stopping a certain goal.

1927

Advantage was formally written as Rule. By this time there were routinely two umpires for each match.

1936

Notes and suggestions for umpires were included in the Rules book. Later this became an appendix entitled ‘Advice to Umpires’.

1938

Any form of interference with the stick of an opponent, including hooking of sticks, was forbidden as was the use of any part of the body, except the hand, to stop the ball.

1949

Deliberate offences by defenders within the 25 yards area and persistent offences by defenders at corners were given a penalty corner.

1957

The 25 yards bully after a ball had gone over the back line was replaced by a free hit at 16 yards.

1959

Umpires were empowered to suspend players for a temporary period.

1961

At a penalty corner and for corners, a maximum of six defenders were behind the back line with the remainder of the team at the 25 yardline.

1963

The penalty bully was replaced by a penalty stroke taken from a spot 8 yards from the goal. For a penalty corner, the remainder of the defending team were moved to be behind the centre (and not just the 25 yards) line.

1970-1979

The roll-in from side-line was replaced by a push-in.
Offside was changed from three to two defenders.
Two substitutes were permitted but once substituted a player was not permitted to return.
A penalty stroke was awarded for a deliberate offence by a defender in the circle, regardless of whether a goal might have been scored
The first common Rule book for men and women was published. Changes made at this time included:
at a penalty corner the ball was to be stopped motionless by an attacker before a shot at goal; there was to be no latitude;
notes on the Rules became ‘Guidance for Players and Umpires’;
a code of signals for umpires was published for the first time;
a temporary suspension for offending player(s) was to be at least 5 minutes;
the width of the pitch was specified as 60 yards;
the penalty stroke spot was moved from 8 to 7 yards from the goal-line.
Colour control cards (green, yellow, red) were introduced into the Rules book

1984

1980a hit-in replaced the push-in from the side line;
a pass back replaced the centre bully to start or re-start the game;
the bully was retained only for accidents or unforeseen events;
the Rule explicitly limiting the height to which the stick could be raised was deleted
the use of the hand except by a goalkeeper was abolished;
at free hits only opponents had to be 5 yards from the ball
no free hits to the attacking team were to be taken within five yards of the circle.
The “long” corner was changed from being similar to the penalty corner to instead essentially being a free hit taken from a spot on the goal-line within 5 yards of the corner flag with all players (other than the striker) at least 5 yards from the ball.
Definitions of ‘Hockey Terminology’ were included for the first time.
1987

the number of defenders behind the back line at penalty corners was reduced from six to five;
at corners and 16 yard hits only opponents were required to be 5 yards from the ball;
at penalty corners the first hit at goal should not cross the goal-line higher than 18 inches and if the ball travelled more than 5 yards outside the circle then the penalty corner Rules no longer applied;
the penalty corner was finished after the ball the ball travelled 5 yards from the outer edge of the circle;
offside applied only in the 25 yards area;
a deliberately raised ball falling into the circle was to be penalised;
free hits to defenders could be taken within the circle;
at free hits to the attacking team within five yards of the circle all players had to be five yards from the ball.
1994

Captains were made responsible for their team’s behaviour and for substitutions. Goalkeepers were required to wear protective headgear.

1995

at a free hit the ball was required to move at least 1 yard;
umpires were empowered to order a free hit to be advanced by 10 yards for dissent or a subsequent offence;
goalkeepers were permitted to deflect (in addition to stop as hitherto) a ball above their shoulder;
substitution was allowed at penalty corners and penalty strokes;
the ball was put back into play at a penalty corner from a spot exactly 10 yards from the goal-post and not at least 10 yards as hitherto.
1996

at a penalty corner the ball had to be stopped outside the circle before a shot at goal could be made;
the pass-back to start or restart the game became a centre pass which could be played in any direction;
goalkeepers’ gauntlets were re-named ‘hand protectors’ with a maximum length of 9 inches and a maximum width of 14 inches.
Mandatory Experimental Rules introduced were:
no offside;
players may not intentionally enter their opponents goal, stand on their opponents goal-line or intentionally run behind either goal;
a corner to be taken on a spot on the side line 5 yards from the corner flag;
within the 25 yards area all players, except the taker, to be 5 yards from the ball at free hits, hits-in and 16 yards hits.
1998

substitutions at penalty corners were no longer permitted except for an injured defending goalkeeper but were still permitted at penalty strokes;
all measurements and distances were now stated in metric form with an imperial-metric conversion table included at the end of the Rules book;
‘Technical Information and Advice’ was published as an appendix
metric rather than imperial measurements and distances.
1999

acknowledgement of a continuing study of the composition of the stick but metal and metallic substances were already banned;
an experimental Rule allowing use of the edge of the stick subject to the normal safety considerations;
clarification of the Rule when a goalkeeper is suspended at a penalty corner; another goalkeeper must be the replacement with the team consequently having to withdraw one field player until the period of suspension is completed;
the experimental Rule to require prolongationfor completion of a penalty corner at half-time and full-time was confirmed as a Rule.
2000

more precise specification of the shape, size, weight and material of the stick
a broken white line to be marked on the pitch 5 metres from and beyond the circle line;
the ball was put back into play at a penalty corner from a spot on the back-line inside the circle
2001

Allowing the edge of the stick to be used to play the ball was incorporated as a formal Rules change with effect from 2002.

2002

Using the edge of the stick to play the ball was confirmed as a formal Rule and when the penalty corner is completed for substitution purposes was clarified.

2003

defenders were permitted to use their stick above their shoulder to stop or deflect a shot at goal;
it was no longer necessary to stop the ball outside the circle before a shot could be taken at a penalty corner but, instead, the ball was only required to travel outside the circle.
2004

This year saw a radically revised Rules Book. The Rules had been completely re-written to make them easier to understand. The opportunity was taken to simplify a few Rules without changing any of the fundamental characteristics of the game.
simplifying how a penalty corner is completed for substitution purposes and at the end of half-time and full-time;
requiring field players who leave the field for some reason other than substitution to re-enter only between the 23 metres areas;
specifying how the result of a match is decided;
rationalising procedures for starting and re-starting play so that the procedures for taking a free hit also apply to the centre pass
retaining the fundamental characteristics of the bully but simplifying it by requiring sticks to touch only once;
deleting the Rule which specified that a ball must not be raised intentionally so that it lands directly in the circle was deleted;
simplifying the obstruction Rule
specifying that players must not tackle unless they are in a position to play the ball without body contact;
requiring the player taking a penalty stroke to start by standing behind and within playing distance of the ball and not permitting them to approach either the ball or the goalkeeper after taking the stroke
specifying that the whistle must be blown to start a penalty stroke when both players are in position
rationalising how offences at a penalty stroke are dealt with
permitting the intended duration of a temporary suspension to be extended for misconduct by a player while suspended;
introducing new umpiring signals to indicate dangerous play and stick obstruction

2007

The Hockey Rules Board (HRB) went to a two-year cycle for all Rule Changes, the major changes in 2007 included:
permitting a team either to have a goalkeeper on the field or to play entirely with field players.
specifying the face protection which field players are permitted to wear especially in relation to defending a penalty corner.
prohibiting hitting the ball hard on the forehand with the edge of the stick.
a defender is not penalised if their stick is not motionless or travelling towards the ball while attempting to stop or deflect the shot
permitting a goalkeeper to use their hands, arms or any other part of their body to move the ball away but only as part of a goal saving action and not to propel the ball forcefully so that it travels a long distance.

2009

A “self-pass” from a free hit was introduced. It enables the player taking the free hit to play the ball themselves again after taking the free hit to encourage free-flowing hockey. Small changes to wording and some additional notes were included to improve interpretation of certain rules. In particular, the following were clarified:
if a team which has too many players on the field, time ise stopped and a personal penalty awarded against the captain.
the ways in which a penalty corner is completed were all consolidated within the penalty corner Rule.

2011

The “self-pass” rule and restrictions on hitting the ball directly into the circle from free hits in the attacking 23 metres area which had been introduced as mandatory experimental rules in 2009 were confirmed as full rules.
The rule which specified that “players must not force an opponent into offending unintentionally” was deleted. Any action of this sort can instead be dealt with under other Rules. “Anywhere inside the circle” was deleted from the rule which said that “a free hit awarded inside the circle to the defence is taken anywhere inside the circle or up to 15 metres from the back-line in line with the location of the offence, parallel to the side-line”.
The penalties applying for an offence during the taking of a penalty corner were listed in detail for the first time. The penalties applying for an offence during the taking of a penalty stroke were rationalised.

PRESIDENT

Administator

1302 posts

posted over 12 years ago #721

Hockey History → Table Hockey History by Steve Farrar

The Complete History of the Most Realistic Mechanical Sports Game ever Devised
Toy hockey games have been part of the Canadian scene since the days of the Great Depression. While these games can be divided into several categories (including board games, magnetic hockey, air hockey, bumper hockey and knock hockey), the image that usually comes to mind when one thinks of table top hockey is that of a miniature ice rink with players mounted on small spikes spinning and moving with the twist of their steel rods.

The earliest type of these mechanical hockey games was built by Donald H. Munro, Sr. in his Toronto home in 1932-33. Made of wood and scrap metal found in his neighborhood, Munro built his first game as a Christmas present for his children at a time when he could not afford to buy gifts. Soon after, Munro built a handful of these games on consignment for the Eaton’s department store in Toronto. They turned out to be an instant success. These early games, referred to as “the wooden game” by collectors, were produced every year until 1955. During this period of 22 years, many improvements were made in the playing quality and appearance.

Despite these many improvements, the early wooden hockey games bore only a passing resemblance to the on-ice game. Players, for example, were simply wooden pegs with wire loops that moved back and forth like pinball flippers. Still, these games were exceedingly popular. One of the main reasons for this popularity was the design of the hump or high area in the center of the playing surface. This innovation allowed the puck (actually a metal ball) to roll to either end of the game and made it possible for both players to be actively involved at the same time (one on offense and one on defense). Until this time, bagatelle games (and even modern day pinball games) all were played on a single slope enabling only one player at a time to participate.

Due to their size (about 14 by 36 inches), the early Munro wooden game were sold mainly in department stores and through mail order catalogs, though occasionally they would be carried in sporting goods and hardware stores. The games sold for between four and five dollars during the 1930s. The first recorded price was listed in the 1939-40 Eaton’s Fall & Winter Catalogue where the Munro Standard Model was advertised for $4.95. The number of games produced in these early days would range from a few hundred to a few thousand.

In the 1940s, the Munro Standard Model was expanded to include a DeLuxe version where the ball would roll out of the net after a goal and into a small cup mounted at each end of the game. A Club Model, with a heavier wooden frame and stronger wire parts, was introduced for the many Boys Clubs that existed in Canada at this time. In 1945-46, Munro’s partner, Stewart Molson Robertson, manufactured games in Rochester, New York under Munro’s American patent, but despite the popularity of the games in Canada, the venture proved unsuccessful in the United States. Sales in Canada were increasing to several thousand games per year, and by 1954, the last full year in which these wooden games were made, prices were $8.95 for the Standard Game, $10.95 for the DeLuxe and $14.95 for the Club. The DeLuxe was by far the most popular model.

During the era of the wooden game, three different mechanical hockey games surfaced. The first was built by Gotham Pressed Metal Products of The Bronx, NEw York, who displayed their version of “Ice Hockey” in their 1937 catalog. Like the Munro game, Gotham’s playing surface featured a hump in the center to keep the puck (again a metal ball) moving from side to side. However, the Gotham game featured only one player at either end who both guarded the goal and pivoted in a complete circle to shoot the puck into the other end.

A second competitor to Munro was introduced by the Reliable Toy Company of Toronto in 1953. Patterned after the Munro Game, the “Foster Hewitt Hockey Game” was made of plastic and came equipped with figures shaped like miniature hockey players molded out of die-cast metal. The game was comparatively small (approximately) 12″ × 24″) and was sold for only a few years before being replaced by the more modern-style games.

The first of these modern-style games (and the challenger that finally ended Munro’s wooden era) was introduced by the Eagle Toy Company of Montreal in 1954. Eagle’s National Hockey Game was endorsed by the Montreal Canadiens and was an immediate success for several reasons. It was the first Canadian game to feature players printed in color on flat tin cutouts shaped like real hockey players who stood on a surface that resembled ice. Eagle’s game was decorated with team pennants from the NHL and was the first Canadian game to feature metal rods that allowed its players to pivot a complete 360 degrees. The Eagle game measured 16″ × 36″ and sold for $10.95. Soon, both Munro and Eagle were issuing similar games that not only had rods to allow the players to spin but also had slots that let them slide up and down the ice surface.

The innovation that led to metal rods and slots had actually been introduced in Sweden during the 1930s. Aristospel A.B. of Stockholm manufactured the game, which was sold to several European countries. A Canadian patent was issued in 1941, but although the design of the Swedish game was unique at the time, it was a difficult and costly game to manufacture. Not until 1954 would a Canadian company (Cresta Limited of Toronto) introduce and manufacture the Swedish-style game. Also in 1954, K & B Toys of Burlington, Ontario copied the Cresta game and issued their own version under the name “3 Star Hockey.” K & B was only in business until 1957, while Cresta lasted until 1958. Neither proved able to compete with Eagle and Munro, who had both unveiled their own rod-and-slot hockey games at the Montreal Toy Show in January of 1956. From that point on, Munro and Eagle produced nearly all of the hockey games sold in Canada and the United States.

Over the years, Munro and Eagle were the undisputed leaders in designing and creating models that year after year became more realistic in their appearance. The games also played better through such innovations as goal lights, period timers, puck droppers, and “glass” above the boards. Three-dimensional players were first introduced by Munro back in 964, and while both Munro and Eagle experiment with the design of their players, the flat tin men remained the most popular. In 1971, safety concerns forced a switch to plastic men with self-adhesive team labels that customers applied themselves. Eagle’s games had the official endorsement of the NHL and could replicate exactly the uniforms of its teams. Munro relied on the endorsement of top stars like Bobby Orr and Bobby Hull for their games and could only approximate the NHL uniforms.

The televising of NHL games during the 1950s and the league’s expansion in 1967 greatly enlarged the North American market for table top hockey games. Whereas thousands of games had been sold previously, the numbers were now beginning to reach the hundreds of thousands and were climbing every year. To meet the rising demand, both Munro Games and Eagle Toys were sold to U.S. companies in September of 1968—Munro to Servotronics and Eagle to Coleco. Their dominance of the Canadian and American markets would continue—with games growing larger (24″ × 34″) and prices ranging up to 30 and 40 dollars during the 1970s—until the advent of video games relegated table hockey to a “second choice” toy item.

By the late 1980s, a resurgence of table hockey occurred with Irwin Toys acquiring Coleco’s tooling and companies like Stiga (a Swedish firm tat had long been selling their games in Europe), Playtoy/Remco, Radio Shack, and Kevin Sports developing new games in North America. A Wayne Gretzky-endorsed game was introduced by Kevin Sports in 1990, selling for $120. Bubble top hockey games of the type found in bars, arenas, and other venues have also become very popular. In recent years, a deluxe table hockey game in Greenwich, New York (“TableHockey” by Rick Benej) retail for about $700 U.S.

the rebirth of table top hockey games has made the collecting of these games (both old and new) a popular hobby. For both the serious and casual collector, these games often bring back many vivid childhood memories from finding a hockey game under the tree at Christmas to picking out favorite teams, playing “seasons” or tournaments for the miniature replica Stanley Cup, or simply arguing about whether or not the puck went in. Many parents today watch their sons and daughters glued to a monitor while they play video or computer games and feel sad to see their children miss out of the marvelous and dynamic interaction of the old mechanical hockey games.

Table hockey collectors often search for a specific childhood game or games which did not survive their growth into adulthood. “My mother threw it out,” is the popular refrain. Many serious collectors strive to obtain all the significant landmark games from years gone by. Collecting can also include trying to find lost pieces from old games, such as players or entire teams, missing nets, trophies, pucks, rods, springs, overhead gondolas, or original boxes. Often, these game pieces are very specific to the manufacturer. For example, the original Eagle nets in 1954 were made of green mesh, but by 1957 they were all tin to be followed by white plastic nets in 1959. Munro games at one point featured three different pucks: a standard wooden puck, a magnetic puck (for better control with tin players) and a puck with a steel ball bearing in the middle.

The range of players from these old games can be mind-boggling, with flat tin players, tin players with separate plastic and/or metal sticks, 3-D tin players, 3-D plastic players , flat plastic players, and more. Players in specific uniforms have also become highly collectible, with the 1967 Oakland Seals and the purple-clad Los Angeles Kings becoming much sought-after. With Eagle Toys having held exclusive rights to produce NHL uniforms, players from their games have been most in demand. Because it was the last game to carry the NHL’s endorsement, team sets from the Wyane Gretzky game have also become highly collectible (particularly for relocated teams such as Winnipeg Jets, Quebec Nordiques, Minnesota North Stars and Hartford Whalers).

The value of an old hockey game is directly influenced by four key factors: initial popularity of the game, rarity, condition/completeness, and the importance of the game in the evolution of table top hockey. Games in their original box with all their original parts can sell for upwards of $100. Many collectors with only purchase games in the best condition because they feel that repairs compromise authenticity. Others value the rarity of the game or its historical significance more so than the shape they find it in. However, to any collector who is also a player, the real thrill is to play the game again and recapture the past pleasures and glories of youth.

For these “grown up kids,” there are a number of tournaments available every year, including the Johnny GoodGuy Tournament in Brampton, Ontario, the Ontario Table Hockey Championships in Hamilton, and the Upper Canada Cup in Toronto. The Toronto-area also features at least two leagues: the Metro Toronto Table Hockey League in Thornhill and the National Tabletop Association in Brampton. Other Canadian tournaments include the Windsor Cup Classic in Windsor, Ontario and the Canadian Open Championship in Hull, Quebec. There is also the U.S. Nationals in Warwick, Illinois and the Hubbard Hall Face Off Tournament in Greenwich, New York. In Sweden, an annual tournament is played on the Stiga game and a World Championship is played every second year with players from as many as 20 different countries (including Canada and the United States) competing for world supremacy.

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posted over 12 years ago #722

Hockey Music → Guess What - Guess What, I just Pulled a Auger on You

Matthew Hawkins – Canucks Fan Raps about Referee Stephane Auger. The NHL Referee retired after the 2011-12 season

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posted over 12 years ago #723

Field Hockey → Song - We All Play in the EHL

Song – We All Play in the EHL#!

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1302 posts

posted over 12 years ago #724

Hockey Music → Den glider in ~ Finland World Championship Tribute 1995

Finland IIHF World Championship Tribute Video with Den Glider In by Nick Borgen

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posted over 12 years ago #725

Hockey Music → Nu Tar Vi Dom - Sweden Ice Hockey Song - 1989

IIHF World Ice Hockey Championships in Sweden – 1989 ~ Song & Dance

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