Black Ice: The Legacy of the Colored Hockey League of the Maritimes

Long before the bright lights of NHL arenas and televised games with million-dollar contracts, a group of determined Black men in eastern Canada carved out their own legacy on frozen ponds and homemade rinks. The Colored Hockey League of the Maritimes (CHL), founded in 1895, was not just a sports league—it was a movement.

At a time when Black people were excluded from mainstream athletic and social spaces, the CHL offered more than just hockey. It was a declaration of presence, pride, and excellence.

Born from Faith and Freedom

The CHL was created in Halifax, Nova Scotia, by leaders in the Black Baptist Church who wanted to give young Black men an outlet for recreation, fellowship, and leadership. The games were often played after Sunday services, and church leaders believed that building strong bodies could strengthen minds and spirits, too.

These weren’t just weekend athletes—they were scholars, preachers, laborers, and dreamers. Men who wanted more than what society told them they could have. And with every slapshot and save, they claimed that “more” for themselves and their community.

Ahead of Their Time

Despite the odds, the CHL flourished. From 1895 to 1930, over a dozen Black teams across Nova Scotia competed fiercely—bringing crowds to their feet and rewriting the game. Historians now credit CHL players with introducing moves we now consider standard in modern hockey, including:

• The slapshot: CHL legend Eddie Martin was known to wind up and fire the puck in a way white teams had never seen.

• Goalie innovation: CHL goalies were among the first to leave their feet and dive to stop the puck, decades before NHL goalies adopted this style.

These innovations, born out of necessity, instinct, and creativity, were dismissed by white spectators at the time—but later adopted and celebrated at the highest levels of the sport. The CHL didn’t just participate in hockey; it transformed it.

Pushing Past Barriers

Let’s be clear: this was not an easy time for Black athletes. These men faced racism, poverty, and exclusion. Often playing on rough ice and without the financial support their white counterparts enjoyed, the players of the CHL had to be resourceful and resilient.

Yet, they built a league that drew thousands of spectators. They played with passion, grace, and power. And they carried the hopes of their communities every time they stepped onto the ice.

Legacy and Recognition

For years, the story of the CHL was left in the cold, nearly erased from hockey’s mainstream narrative. But in recent decades, historians, filmmakers, and sports enthusiasts have begun to uncover this remarkable history.

Books like Black Ice: The Lost History of the Colored Hockey League of the Maritimes, 1895–1925 by George and Darril Fosty brought this hidden legacy to light. Documentaries and museum exhibits now honor the players who helped shape the game we know today.

In 2022, the NHL even paid tribute during its All-Star Weekend, acknowledging that without the CHL, there might be no slapshot. No flashy goalie saves. No Black players skating in the NHL today.

A Heritage of Greatness

As we reflect on Juneteenth, Black History Month, or any time we want to honor our past—we must include the Colored Hockey League in our story. These men were not just hockey players; they were pioneers, innovators, and trailblazers.

Their legacy reminds us that Black excellence knows no boundaries—not even icy ones. So the next time you watch a hockey game and see a dazzling slapshot or a goalie leap across the net, remember the CHL. Remember Eddie Martin, Henry Sylvester Williams, James Kinney, and so many others whose names we may never know—but whose impact echoes across generations.

They played for dignity. They played for each other. They played for us.

Check out this video that encapsulates the story of the CHL here.