McGill Redbirds ice hockey explained

Team Name:McGill Redbirds
Team Link:
Athletics Name:McGill Redbirds
University:McGill University
Coach:David Urquhart
Coach Year:Since 2021–22
Assistant Coaches:Patrick Delisle-Houde
Peter Smith
Arena:McConnell Arena
Location:Montreal, Quebec
Conference:Ontario University Athletics
Conference Short:OUA
Division:OUA East
Color1:Red
Color2:White
Color3:Black
Hex1:CD202C
Hex2:FFFFFF
Hex3:000000

The McGill Redbirds ice hockey team is an ice hockey team representing the McGill Redbirds and Martlets athletics program of McGill University. The team is a member of the Ontario University Athletics conference and compete in U Sports. The Redbirds play their home games at the McConnell Arena in Montreal, Quebec.[1]

History

In 1873, James Creighton, along with several students from McGill, reportedly attempted to play a version of lacrosse on the Victoria Skating Rink. Shortly thereafter, Creighton drew up the first set of rules for "ice hockey". While its unknown if this story is true, what is known is that two years later, Creighton led two contingents of McGill students onto the Victoria Rink for the first indoor ice hockey game in history.[2] The Montreal Gazette was on hand to report on the inaugural match with took place between two 9-man teams. Initially there was some fear for the safety of spectators as previous similar games had shown a tendency for a ball to fly about in a dangerous manner. However, fears were allayed when Creighton announced that a flat, wooden disk would be used instead. The matches were well received by the audience and within a few short years, McGill formed its first official team.[3]

In what is believed to be another ice hockey first for McGill, the 1881 team posed for a team photograph and is the earliest existing image of a squad. Two years later the for ice hockey tournament was played at the Montreal Winter Carnival. McGill won the world's first ice hockey championship and received the Winter Carnival Cup, which is on display at the McCord Stewart Museum in Montreal.[4] McGill would continue to participate in the tournament until the Carnival's discontinuation in 1889.[5]

1886 saw the first official ice hockey league formed when five teams from Montreal (including McGill) joined to start the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association (CAHA). By the mid-1890s, ice hockey was beginning to spread south of the border and a barnstorming troupe of American college students from various universities took a trip through Canada the first international ice hockey game took place on February 23, 1894 and saw McGill defeat the American squad 14–1.

Just after the start of the 20th century, McGill partnered with Queen's and Toronto to create the first collegiate conference in Canada. From then until the mid 1950's, McGill would play both college- and senior-level ice hockey, winning several championships along the way. In 1954, however, most Canadian schools switched entirely to college matches and McGill became an inaugural member of the Quebec-Ontario Athletic Association (QOAA). The team continued on with the conference until 1971 when the leagues were realigned along provincial borders and McGill joined the newly-created Quebec Universities Athletic Association. The league remained in place for the better part of two decades but, by the end of the 1980s, league membership had fallen to just four schools. In 1987, McGill, along with the other surviving programs, joined the Ontario Universities Athletics Association and have been an associate member ever since.

The upheaval during those years did not help McGill and the one lofty program had fallen on hard times. However, by the mid-90s, McGill began to recover its former strength and started posting good records. Postseason success eluded the Redmen until the 21st century and the team won its first conference championship in 2008. Several more titles followed and McGill was eventually able to capture a national championship in 2012.[6]

Moniker

Beginning in 1927, the McGill athletic teams were known as the 'Redmen'. While this was initially intended as a reference to the hair color of the school's founder, James McGill, the allusions to native peoples were unavoidable.[7] Unofficially, the team was referred to as the 'Indians' during the 1950s and 60s while native iconography was included on jerseys up until it was forcibly removed in 1992.[8] Despite the change in imagery, the name remained until a referendum by the student body overwhelmingly supported a change in the nickname.[9] The athletic department went without an official moniker for its men's teams from April 2019 to November 2020 when 'Redbirds' was announced as the program's new name.[10]

Season-by-season results

Senior and collegiate play

Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, Pts = Points

Extra-League ChampionU Sports SemifinalistConference regular season championsConference Division ChampionsConference Playoff Champions
SeasonConferenceRegular SeasonConference Tournament ResultsNational Tournament Results
ConferenceOverall
GPWLTPts*FinishGPWLT%
Senior and Collegiate Hockey
1902–03CIAU421151st?????
1903–04CIAU413023rd?????
1904–05CIAU431061st?????
1905–06CIAU422042nd?????
1906–07CIAU422042nd?????
1907–08CIAU615024th?????
1908–09CIAU624043rd?????
1909–10CIAU64208T–1st?????Won Semifinal, forfeit (Toronto)
Lost Championship, 8–2 (Queen's)
1910–11CIAU413023rd?????
1911–12CIAU440081st?????Won Championship series, 25–5 (Ottawa)
1912–13CIAU422042nd?????
1913–14CIAU413023rd?????
no coach
1914–15CIAU41302T–2nd?????
MCHL1027155th
1915–16MCHL1017245th?????
1916–17MCHL10631132nd?????
1917–18MCHL1071216T–1st?????Won Championship, 14–1 (Loyola)Lost Art Ross Cup Challenge, 3–7 (Montreal Hochelaga)
1918–19MCHL10531112nd?????
1919–20CIAU43106T–1st?????Lost Championship series, 4–5 (Toronto)
MCHL752010T–1stLost Semifinal, 4–5 (Montreal AAA)
1920–21CIAU422042nd?????Won Quebec Senior League Semifinal, 6–4 (La Tuque)
Won Quebec Senior League Championship, 4–2 (Quebec Royal Rifles)
MCHL743084thWon Semifinal, 7–5 (Montreal Shamrocks)
Won Championship, 6–3 (Montreal Le National)
Lost Allan Cup East Final, 0–11 (Toronto)
1921–22CIAU422042nd?????
1922–23CIAU624043rd?????
1923–24CIAU623153rd?????
MCHL7520102nd
1924–25CIAU615024th?????
1925–26CIAU615024th?????
1926–27CIAU651010T–1st?????
SG10280104th
1927–28CIAU422042nd?????
MSG945083rd
1928–29CIAU00000?????Lost Championship series, 3–9 (Toronto)
MSG834174th
1929–30CIAU00000?????Won Championship series, 3–2 (Toronto)
MSG1037065th
1930–31CIAU00000?????Won Championship series, 6–4 (Toronto)Won Senior Final series, 4–3 (Montreal St Francois Xavier)
MSG1262416T–1stWon Semifinal series, 10–3 (Montreal Columbus Club)
Won Championship series, 17–6 (Montreal AAA)
Lost Allan Cup East Semifinal series, 4–5 (Truro Bearcats)
1931–32CIAU00000?????Lost Championship series, 3–4 (Toronto)
MSG12813191stLost Championship series, 3–4 (Montreal AAA)
1932–33CIAU430171st?????
MSG1274115T–1stTied First Place playoff, 0–0 (Montreal Canadiens)
Lost Championship series, 2–3 (Montreal Royals)
1933–34CIAU00000?????Won Championship series, 9–4 (Toronto)Won Senior Final series, 11–1 (Quebec Aces)
MSG121002331stWon Semifinal series, 7–5 (Verdun Maple Leafs)
Won Championship series, 2–1 (Montreal Canadiens)
Lost Allan Cup East Semifinal series, 2–6 (Moncton Hawks)
1934–35CIAU440081st?????
MSG12741302ndLost Semifinal series, 1–2 (Ottawa Senators)
1935–36CIAU00000?????Won Championship series, 15–3 (Toronto)
MSG14851313rdLost Semifinal series, 1–2 (Verdun Maple Leafs)
1936–37CIAU6600121st?????
IIL 101000201st
MSG16122238T–1stLost Semifinal series, 1–2 (Quebec Aces)
1937–38CIAU6510101st?????
IIL10910181st
QSHL12471187th
1938–39CIAU6510101st?????
IIL10910181st
QSHL12462205th
1939–40CIAU422042nd?????
IIL8620122nd
1940–41Independent?????
1941–42Independent?????
1942–43Independent?????
1943–44Independent?????
1944–45Independent?????
1945–46CIAU651010T–1st?????Won Championship, 4–1 (Toronto)
1946–47CIAU962113T–1st?????Lost Championship, 0–4 (Toronto)
1947–48CIAU12930182nd?????
1948–49CIAU12660123rd?????
1949–50CIAU1239063rd?????
1950–51CIAU632172nd?????
1951–52CIAU12110134th?????
1952–53CIAU12453113rd?????
1953–54CIAU/QOAA ¿1239064th?????
TotalsGPWLT%Championships
Regular Season?????13 CIAU Championships, 3 IIL Championships, 1 MCHL Championship, 5 MSG Championships
Conference Post-season?????8 CIAU Championships, 1 MCHL Championship, 3 MSG Championships
Regular Season and Postseason Record?????1 Quebec Senior League Championship, 2 Quebec Senior Championships
† The International Intercollegiate League (IIL) was a joint venture between Canadian and American colleges.
¿ Sometime between 1953 and 1955 the CIAU changed their name to QOAA (Quebec-Ontario Athletic Association).

Collegiate only

Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, OTL = Overtime Losses, SOL = Shootout Losses, Pts = Points

U Sports Champion U Sports SemifinalistConference regular season championsConference Division ChampionsConference Playoff Champions
SeasonConferenceRegular SeasonConference Tournament ResultsNational Tournament Results
ConferenceOverall
GPWLTOTLSOLPts*FinishGPWLT%
1954–55QOAA12660122nd12660
1955–56QOAA124808T–3rd12480
1956–57QOAA12750142nd12750
1957–58QOAA1248084th12480
1958–59QOAA12011114th120111
1959–60QOAA1439284th14392
1960–61QOAA12210044th122100
1961–62QOAA11650123rd11650
1962–63QOAA12561114th12561
1963–64QOAA1244413T–4th12444
1964–65QOAA1631217T–7th163121
1965–66QOAA16411198th164111
1966–67QOAA16411198th164111
1967–68QOAA16214049th162140
1968–69QOAA15591118th15591
1969–70QOAA1557313T–8th15573
1970–71QOAA1558212T–7th15582
1971–72QUAA21120028th211200
1972–73QUAA247152166th247152
1973–74QUAA186102145th186102
1974–75QUAA207112164th217122Lost Semifinal, 1–9 (Loyola)
1975–76QUAA20314395th203143
1976–77QUAA20313410T–5th203134
1977–78QUAA16952203rd18972Lost Semifinal series, 0–2 (Quebec–Trois-Rivières)
1978–79QUAA20992204th229112Lost Semifinal series, 0–2 (Concordia)
1979–80QUAA24321067th243210
1980–81QUAA245154145th245154
1981–82QUAA249150185th249150
1982–83QUAA301119022T–5th3011190
1983–84QUAA24910523T–2nd2810135Lost Semifinal series, 1–3 (Ottawa)
1984–85QUAA198101174th218121Lost Semifinal series, 0–2 (Quebec–Chicoutimi)
1985–86QUAA209101193rd2310121Lost Semifinal series, 1–2 (Ottawa)
1986–87QUAA1841223rd256172Won Semifinal series, 2–1 (Ottawa)
Lost Championship series, 0–4 (Quebec–Trois-Rivières)
1987–88OUAA25138430T–6th3116114Won Division Semifinal series, 2–1 (Concordia)
Lost Division Final series, 1–2 (Quebec–Trois-Rivières)
/
1988–89OUAA261943413rd302163Won Division Semifinal series, 2–0 (Concordia)
Lost Division Final series, 0–2 (Quebec–Trois-Rivières)
1989–90OUAA221282266th2412102Lost Quarterfinal series, 0–2 (Quebec–Trois-Rivières)
1990–91OUAA22127329T–6th251393Won First Round, 5–4 (York)
Lost Quarterfinal series, 0–2 (Quebec–Trois-Rivières)
1991–92OUAA22155232T–3rd251672Lost Quarterfinal series, 1–2 (Toronto)
1992–93OUAA221183258th2512103Won First Round, 3–2 (Concordia)
Lost Quarterfinal series, 0–2 (Ottawa)
1993–94OUAA241310115T–7th2413101
/
1994–95OUAA2413101277th2815121Won Division Semifinal, 3–1 (Concordia)
Lost Division Final series, 1–2 (Quebec–Trois-Rivières)
1995–96OUAA26159232T–5th2715102Lost Division Semifinal, 3–5 (Ottawa)
1996–97OUAA261410230T–6th3016122Won Division Semifinal, 7–2 (Ottawa)
Lost Division Final series, 1–2 (Quebec–Trois-Rivières)
1997–98OUA261210428T–6th2913124Lost Division Semifinal series, 1–2 (Concordia)
1998–99OUA261394166th261394
1999–00OUA26215042T–2nd312470Won Division Semifinal series, 2–0 (Concordia)
Lost Division Final series, 1–2 (Quebec–Trois-Rivières)
2000–01OUA2410113239th2610133Lost Division Semifinal series, 0–2 (Concordia)
2001–02OUA241392287th2613112Lost Division Semifinal series, 0–2 (Quebec–Trois-Rivières)
2002–03OUA241662346th261682Lost Division Semifinal series, 0–2 (Ottawa)
2003–04OUA249942249th249114
2004–05OUA241761035T–1st292081Won Division Semifinal series, 2–0 (Ottawa)
Lost Division Final series, 1–2 (Quebec–Trois-Rivières)
2005–06OUA2420130431st322543Won Division Semifinal series, 2–1 (Ottawa)
Won Division Final series, 2–0 (Quebec–Trois-Rivières)
Lost Queen's Cup Final series, 1–2 (Lakehead)
Lost Pool A Round-Robin, 4–3 (Wilfrid Laurier), 1–5 (Alberta)
2006–07OUA2815751366th3317115Won Division Quarterfinal series, 2–1 (Concordia)
Lost Division Semifinal series, 0–2 (Toronto)
2007–08OUA281890139T–4th3726101Won Division Quarterfinal series, 2–0 (Carleton)
Won Division Semifinal series, 2–0 (Queen's)
Won Division Final series, 2–0 (Quebec–Trois-Rivières)
Won Queen's Cup, 4–1 (Brock)
Lost Pool 2 Round-Robin, 1–7 (Alberta), 3–0 (Moncton)
2008–09OUA281881138T–6th3725111Won Division Quarterfinal series, 2–0 (Ottawa)
Won Division Semifinal series, 2–0 (Toronto)
Won Division Final series, 2–0 (Quebec–Trois-Rivières)
Lost Queen's Cup, 4–1 (Western Ontario)
Lost Pool B Round-Robin, 1–4 (Saint Mary's), 4–3 (Western Ontario)
2009–10OUA2822600442nd382990Won Division Quarterfinal series, 2–0 (Nipissing)
Won Division Semifinal series, 2–1 (Carleton)
Won Division Final series, 2–0 (Quebec–Trois-Rivières)
Won Queen's Cup, 3–1 (Lakehead)
Lost Pool A Round-Robin, 4–5 (OT) (Manitoba), 2–4 (Saint Mary's)
2010–11OUA2824202501st393342Won Division Quarterfinal series, 2–0 (Ottawa)
Won Division Semifinal series, 2–0 (Nipissing)
Won Division Final series, 2–1 (Quebec–Trois-Rivières)
Won Queen's Cup, 6–2 (Western Ontario)
Won Pool A Round-Robin, 2–1 (St. Francis Xavier), 6–3 (Alberta)
Lost Championship, 0–4 (New Brunswick)
2011–12OUA2822420461st383170Won Division Quarterfinal series, 2–0 (Queen's)
Won Division Semifinal series, 2–0 (Ottawa)
Won Division Final series, 2–0 (Quebec–Trois-Rivières)
Won Queen's Cup, 4–1 (Western Ontario)
Won Pool A Round-Robin, 6–3 (Moncton), 3–4 (Saskatchewan)
Won Championship, 4–3 (OT) (Western Ontario)
2012–13OUA281770438T–2nd311894Lost Division Quarterfinal series, 1–2 (Nipissing)
2013–14OUA282151144T–2nd382891Won Division Quarterfinal series, 2–0 (Concordia)
Won Division Semifinal series, 2–0 (Quebec–Trois-Rivières)
Won Division Final series, 2–1 (Carleton)
Lost Queen's Cup, 2–3 (Windsor)
Lost Pool A Round-Robin, 3–2 (Carleton), 2–3 (2OT) (Alberta)
2014–15OUA2621500422nd342590Won Division Quarterfinal series, 2–1 (Concordia)
Won Division Semifinal series, 2–0 (Queen's)
Lost Division Final series, 0–2 (Quebec–Trois-Rivières)
Lost Bronze Medal Game, 1–2 (OT) (Windsor)
2015–16OUA2821610432nd322390Won Division Quarterfinal series, 2–0 (Concordia)
Lost Division Semifinal series, 0–2 (Carleton)
2016–17OUA2821421452nd362691Won Division Quarterfinal series, 2–0 (Laurentian)
Won Division Semifinal series, 2–0 (Quebec–Trois-Rivières)
Lost Division Final series, 0–2 (Queen's)
Won Bronze Medal Game, 6–3 (Windsor)
Lost Quarterfinal, 1–4 (St. Francis Xavier)
2017–18OUA2822411461st382981Won Division Quarterfinal series, 2–0 (Laurentian)
Won Division Semifinal series, 2–1 (Ottawa)
Won Division Final series, 2–1 (Concordia)
Won Queen's Cup, 5–1 (Brock)
Lost Quarterfinal, 1–4 (Saskatchewan)
2018–19OUA2817731385th3320121Won Division Quarterfinal series, 2–0 (Concordia)
Lost Division Semifinal series, 1–2 (Carleton)
2019–20OUA28161020347th3117140Lost Division Semifinal series, 1–2 (Concordia)
2020–21Season cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic
2021–22OUA176110017th218130Won Division Quarterfinal, 3–2 (OT) (Queen's)
Won Division Semifinal, 3–1 (Nipissing)
Lost Division Final, 0–1 (Quebec–Trois-Rivières)
Lost Bronze Medal Game, 1–2 (Ryerson)
2022–23OUA2614831327th3016131Won Division Quarterfinal series, 2–0 (Ottawa)
Lost Division Semifinal series, 0–2 (Concordia)
TotalsGPWLT/SOL%Championships
Regular Season14667356201112 Far East Division Titles, 5 East Division Titles, 5 OUA Championships
Conference Post-season173967705 OUA Championships
U Sports Postseason1881009 National tournament appearances
Regular Season and Postseason Record16578397071111 National Championship
Note: Totals include results from 1954–55 onward.

See also

McGill Martlets ice hockey

Notes and References

  1. Web site: McConnell Arena . McGill University . February 13, 2024.
  2. Web site: THIS WEEK IN HISTORY (Mar. 3, 1875): World's first organized hockey game was played in Montreal . McGill Athletics . March 3, 2023 . February 13, 2024.
  3. Web site: McGill’s contribution to the origins of ice hockey . McGill Athletics . March 17, 2006 . February 13, 2024.
  4. Book: Kitchen, Paul . Win, Tie or Wrangle . 2008 . Penumbra Press . Manotick, Ontario . 978-1-897323-46-5 .
  5. Dufresne, Sylvie. "Le Carnaval d’hiver de Montreal, 1803-1889," Revue d’Histoire Urbaine 11, 3 (February 1983),26.
  6. http://english.cis-sic.ca/championships/mice/2011-12/releases/20120325-final Redmen capture first University Cup
  7. News: 'The Redmen': The History Of McGill's Nickname — And The Fight For Its Removal. WBUR. 8 February 2019.
  8. 2017. Provost's Task Force on Indigenous Studies and Indigenous Education. McGill University.
  9. News: McGill students vote to change Redmen sports teams' name. Verity. Stevenson. 13 November 2018. CBC News.
  10. News: Naming of the McGill men's varsity teams. 17 Nov 2020. Fabrice. Labeau.