WINNIPEG VICTORIAS HC HONOURED
A long overdue acknowledgment of the success of the Winnipeg Victorias HC was finally put in place on November 5, 2025 with the installation of a mural celebrating the Vics 3 Stanley Cup victories.
Winnipeg Mayor Scott Gillingham along with Heritage Winnipeg's Cindy Tugwell, Take Pride Winnipeg's Tom Ethan's and artist Jen Mosienko were on hand to assist Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame president Jordy Douglas formally unveil the spectacular Winnipeg Victorias mural at 436 Main Street.
BACKGROUNDER; In January of 1895 hockey was in its first decade in the province and the Winnipeg Victorias Hockey Club set out on a tour to measure their skills against Eastern teams, outscoring their opponents 33-12 on their way to a record of 4-1. It was after a 5-1 victory over the Montreal AAA club, that Winnipeg Captain Jack Armytage visited the Montreal clubhouse and noticed a small rose bowl trophy. It was the newly minted Stanley Cup, donated by Lord Stanley of Preston, the sixth Governor General of Canada, for the amateur hockey championship of Canada.
The Cup, Armytage noted, was a challenge trophy. With confidence high from their eastern tour, Winnipeg challenged Montreal for the Stanley Cup. The Stanley Cup trustees accepted the challenge, and the "sudden death" game was scheduled for Feb. 14, 1896, at Montreal.
At the time, Winnipeg was a rapidly growing city on the edge of the Canadian frontier, however in the eyes of many Easterners it was an uncivilized outpost with no worthwhile culture, sports or entertainment. Certainly not capable of taking hockey's top prize. However, the city's top young athletes, like Donald "Dan" Bain, Jack Armytage, and Rod Flett were determined to showcase Winnipeg as a city equal to anything the East could offer.
A skeptical Montreal crowd gathered that day, more out of curiosity than concern. "The blizzards from the land of the setting sun" however, stunned their hosts with a 2-0 victory. Armytage scored the winning goal for the new Stanley Cup champions while George (Whitey) Merritt, outstanding in goal for the winners,startled the Montreal crowd by wearing protective white cricket pads.
Winnipeggers received updates of the game by CP telegraph in some of the buildings still standing today in the Exchange. When the final score was received the City erupted and celebrated until the conquering heroes arrived on February 24th at the CPR station on Higgins. The team was then treated to what is considered to be hockey's first Stanley Cup parade down Main Street.
Winnipeg would enjoy the Cup for 10 months when Montreal journeyed West to try and regain the Cup on December 30th that same year. The game was held at a packed McIntyre Rink which once stood right where the Albert Street parkade stands today.
Montreal would come from behind to earn a tough, but thrilling 6-5 victory. While they were here the Montreal players and officials were thoroughly impressed with the hospitality of the people and the city's cultural offerings. It was the beginning of Canada's east/west sporting rivalry.
This is long-overdue recognition for a collection of young athlete/citizens known for their clever play and innovation. And most importantly, their pride in their city. The Winnipeg Victorias would win the Stanley Cup again in 1901 and defend a challenge in 1902. They are truly hockey royalty in our city and province.
The Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame would like to thank artist Jen Mosienko for this marvelous work. The project could not have been accomplished without the financial support of the Province of Manitoba ACSC Fund & Heritage Grant fund, Tom Ethans & Take Pride Winnipeg and the support of Harvard Developments Corporation.