Nova Scotia is considered the place of origin of modern ice hockey. The quantity of natural ponds ideal for skating, combined with the British gaming tradition helped facilitate the geographic and social conditions necessary for the development and creation of the game now known as Canadian Hockey. The roots of Canadian Hockey originated with the North American Indians but early African-Canadian players also helped shape the sport. By the mid-1890's, in an era when many believed blacks could not endure the cold, these African-Canadian athletes defied myths and developed a revolutionary style of hockey that was fast moving, tough, acrobatic, exciting, and entertaining. During the late 1890's games between black club teams in Nova Scotian towns and cities were arranged by formal invitation. By 1900, however, the Negro Hockey League of the Maritimes was created and was headquartered in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The Negro Hockey League produced players and athletes comparable to an...