Oxford University Ice Hockey Club
| Oxford University Blues | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| City | Oxford, United Kingdom |
| League | BUIHA |
| Conference | Southern Conference |
| Division | Division 1 (Checking) |
| Founded | 1885 |
| Home arena |
Oxford Ice Rink Capacity: 1,025 Ice size: 184 x 85 feet |
| Colours | Dark Blue and White |
| Website | http://oxforduniversityicehockey.com/ |
Oxford University Ice Hockey Club, also known as Oxford University Blues, is one of the world's oldest ice hockey teams. Tradition places the origin of the team in 1885, when a match is said to have been played against Cambridge University Ice Hockey Club at St Moritz. This date is recognised by the Hockey Hall of Fame, and prior to the 1985 Ice Hockey Varsity Match, the International Ice Hockey Federation formally recognised the 1885 game as the first ice hockey match played in Europe. However, there is no contemporary evidence that this match took place, and Oxford now claims that this was a bandy match.
The oldest surviving evidence of their existence is a team photo and roster from 1895, when they played Cambridge in another bandy match. In 1900, they played Cambridge at Princes Skating Club in the first official Varsity Match, winning 7-6. Their captain in this match was future cricketer Bernard Bosanquet.
With the introduction of the Rhodes Scholarship, the top Canadian players at the University of Oxford formed the Oxford Canadians, but after World War I, the University of Oxford team included Rhodes Scholars. Such players included Lester B. Pearson, Roland Michener, George F.G. Stanley, Clarence Campbell, Allan Blakeney, Ronald Martland and Otto Lang. Thus strengthened, it won the Spengler Cup in 1923, 1925 and 1931. In 1933, they tied the tournament with LTC Prague.
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