Edmonton Eskimos (ice hockey)

The Edmonton Eskimos (first known as the Edmonton Hockey Club) were a Canadian amateur and later professional men's ice hockey team that existed from 1905 to 1927. The Eskimos challenged three times for the Stanley Cup, losing each time; in 1908 versus the Montreal Wanderers, in 1910 versus the Ottawa Senators, and Ottawa again in 1923. The Eskimos beat the Regina Capitals to win the 1923 WHL playoffs. They were also the 1923 regular league champions. The Eskimos came in second in the 1922 and 1926 WCHL playoffs. Team alumni include Eddie Shore.

An Edmonton Eskimos team also played in the Alberta Senior Hockey League in the late 1930s. Other teams in the ASHL included the Calgary Stampeders and the Drumheller Miners; the latter team featured four Bentley brothers, three of whom played in the NHL and two of whom are enshrined in the Hockey Hall of Fame.

History

Founded as the Edmonton Hockey Club in 1905, the club helped found the Alberta Amateur Hockey Association in 1907. In 1908 and 1910, the Edmonton club would challenge for the Stanley Cup. Although the club was technically amateur, the club hired Tommy Phillips, Didier Pitre and Lester Patrick for the challenge, and only one player who had played from the regular season played in the challenge against the Montreal Wanderers. It was to no avail, as the Wanderers won the series.

The Edmonton Hockey Club folded after 1910, and the Eskimos club was formed for the 1910-11 season by Deacon White from the remains of the organization. [cite book |title=The Battle of Alberta |last=Sandor |first=Steven |publisher=Heritage House Publishing |location=Surrey, B.C. |year=2005 |isbn=1894974018 |pages=pg 17] In 1919-20, the AAHA formed the "Big Four" senior league, composed of two teams in Edmonton, and two in Calgary. This league folded in 1921, and the Eskimos helped to found the Western Canada Hockey League.

In 1922-23, Edmonton would win the WCHL championship and played in the Stanley Cup finals against Ottawa. "See 1923 Stanley Cup Finals."

ee also

* List of ice hockey teams in Alberta

References

External links

* [http://westernhockeylegends.my100megs.com/teampages/edmonton.htm Team Statistics]
* [http://westernhockeylegends.my100megs.com/ Jersey photos]
* [http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/leagues/seasons/ashl19391939.html ASHL Standings from 1938-39, the only season in HockeyDB's records for that era]