Black Maritime Hockey History
Africville Sea-Sides 1922
1741 – First Black Nova Scotian settlers in Nova Scotia from Africa.
1780s – United Empire Black Loyalists arrived from America following the Revolutionary War.
1812 – Two thousand Black Nova Scotians arrived in Nova Scotia from America.
1890s – Black Nova Scotians played hockey and formed teams. The games were segregated.
1895 – Black Nova Scotians started “The Colored Hockey Championship.” Though it is often referred to as The Colored Hockey League of the Maritimes, it was not a league per se, as it consisted of only match play.
Teams included Halifax Eurekas, Africville Sea-Sides, Hammond’s Plains Moss Backs, Dartmouth Jubilees, Truro Victorias, Truro Sheiks, Amherst Royals, and Charlottetown West End Rangers. They played a good brand of hockey, drew large crowds to games and provided entertainment before games and between periods with races, chases, and acrobatics. Games were on an invitational basis and no trophy was used. They were first to allow the goal tender to drop to the ice to stop the puck – not allowed in NHL until 1917. Also, the slap shot is thought to have originated in the Coloured Hockey Championship.
1933-34 – William “Billy” Oliver of Wolfville, Nova Scotia, played Water Polo and Hockey for Acadia University Senior Hockey Team.
1938-39 – John Paris of Windsor, N.S. played for Curry’s Corner Bulldogs in Windsor Town League.
1945-46 – John Paris returned from overseas duty with West Nova Scotia Regiment and played for Wildcats in Windsor Town League.
1950s – Chook Maxwell in Truro, N.S.
1955-56 – Stan “Chook” Maxwell played in Quebec Junior League for Quebec Citadels, Montreal Royals, & Three Rivers. Next, he played in Quebec Senior League for Chicoutimi
1955-56; Quebec Aces 1956-59; Kingston Frontenacs 1959-61; Hull-Ottawa Canadiens 1961-62. Then he moved to Los Angeles Blades 1961-65; Toledo Blades 1966-1971.
1960s – John Paris Jr. in Windsor School
1962-64 – John Paris Jr. of Windsor, N.S. played hockey for Windsor Royals Midgets Minor Hockey Team and was scouted by Scotty Bowman for Junior Canadiens organization. He went to play in Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. Played Junior A and then Senior Hockey with Quebec Aces. Later became coach in Quebec and Scout for St. Louis Blues 1987-1991.
1994 – John Paris Jr. became first Black head coach in professional hockey as he joined Atlanta Knights (NHL Florida Panthers Farm Team) and led them to IHL Championship.
1964-65 – Percy Paris of Windsor, N.S. son of John, played for King’s College School in Windsor, N.S.
John “Buster” Paris 2001
2001, March 3 – John “Buster” Paris inducted into the Birthplace of Hockey Hall of Fame as a “Builder”.
For more on African Canadian Hockey History check – Links – Hockeyists