Halifax Wolverines

For the other hockey team named the Halifax Wolverines, see Halifax Wolverines (MJAHL).

The Halifax Wolverines (sometimes; Halifax Wolves) were an amateur men's senior ice hockey team based in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The team won the 1935 Allan Cup, and were nominated to represent Canada in ice hockey at the 1936 Winter Olympics but disbanded before playing in the Olympics.

The Halifax Forum was the largest ice hockey rink in the Maritimes and home to the Wolverines.

History

The Maritimes saw growth in senior ice hockey during the Great Depression in Canada, as men sought to make a living and it was reported by The Winnipeg Tribune as common knowledge that amateurs were being paid to play in the Maritimes.^[1] In December 1934, Canadian Amateur Hockey Association (CAHA) president E. A. Gilroy asked the Maritime Amateur Hockey Association to make a declaration on operating a commercial league which was considered professionalism and not allowed.^[2] After a month of negotiations, a senior league was approved that included the Halifax Wolverines.^[3]

The Wolverines won the 1935 Allan Cup and were invited to represent Canada in ice hockey at the 1936 Winter Olympics, but disbanded before the following season.^[4] Attempts were made to bring the Wolverines team back together for the Olympics according to Amateur Athletic Union of Canada president W. A. Fry, but its players had gone separate ways for personal and financial reasons.^[5] In December 1935, Fry announced the Port Arthur Bearcats who were runners up in the 1935 Allan Cup, as "the logical choice" to represent Canada.^[6][7] In January 1936, four members of the Wolverines were invited to play with Port Arthur at the Olympics, but declined when travel expenses were not covered for their families. Fry defended the decision by Gilroy, stating that it was not their responsibility to cover expenses beyond the players.^[8][9] Canadian Olympic Committee secretary-treasurer Fred Marples denied that there had been any agreement to take care of the players' families while they were at the Olympics, and that the Halifax players had left the team voluntarily because they could not get what they wanted in terms of money.^[10]

As a result of the Wolverines not playing at the Olympics due to financial issues, the CAHA formed a committee to study the definition of an amateur hockey player with relation to eligibility for international competition. This led to the amateur reforms championed by W. G. Hardy and George Dudley which allowed for travel expenses and compensation of lost wages.^[11]

References

1. Buss, Johnny (November 12, 1934). "One Man's Opinion". Winnipeg Tribune. Winnipeg, Manitoba. p. 15.
2. "C.A.H.A. Leader Has Not Taken Action As Yet". Winnipeg Tribune. Winnipeg, Manitoba. December 6, 1934. p. 11.
3. "Three Clubs To Operate Under C.A.H.A. Banner". Winnipeg Tribune. Winnipeg, Manitoba. January 7, 1935. p. 11.
4. "Canadian Athletic Typhoon Promises To Develop Into a Clean-up Storm". Winnipeg Tribune. Winnipeg, Manitoba. November 19, 1935. p. 14.
5. "Amateur Body Wants Touring Players to Return to Halifax". Brandon Daily Sun. Brandon, Manitoba. November 21, 1935. p. 4.
6. "Branch Leaders Vote Against Montreal Plea for Playoff". Winnipeg Free Press. Winnipeg, Manitoba. December 4, 1935. p. 11.
7. Holland, Dave (2008). Canada on Ice; The World Hockey Championships, 1920 – 2008. Canada On Ice productions. pp. 42–43. ISBN 978-0-9808936-0-1.
8. "W. A. Fry Defends Actions of C.A.H.A. in One Newspaper". Winnipeg Tribune. Winnipeg, Manitoba. January 11, 1936. p. 26.
9. Allen, W. G. (January 15, 1936). "Snapshots on Sport". Winnipeg Free Press. Winnipeg, Manitoba. p. 17.
10. "Marples States Wolverines Left Team Voluntarily". Lethbridge Herald. Lethbridge, Alberta. January 17, 1936. p. 9.; "Official States Wolverines Left Team Voluntarily". Winnipeg Free Press. Winnipeg, Manitoba. January 17, 1936. p. 16.
11. Young, Scott (1989). 100 Years of Dropping the Puck. Toronto, Ontario: McClelland & Stewart Inc. pp. 189–190. ISBN 0-7710-9093-5.