I’ve researched both american and canadian perspectives.

Birthplace of early hockey games took place on long pond windsor ns near kings college circa 1800.Ice hurley and other forms of break shins ,wicket cricket, ice bandy, shinny, field hockey on ice,rugby,ice lacrosse,etc, were being combined.

The full skate blade was invented by philadelphian ev bushnell in 1848.Early pucks were carved out of wood by the mic mac indians 1860.The first hockey sticks were carved in lindsay ontario 1852 by alexander rutherford sr.

First indoor and semi organized game was 9 on 9 at the victoria skating rink montreal in 1875 by james creighton using previous halifax rules.

First artificial skating rink was created by william newton in new york city 1870.First indoor arena in the us was the great chicago skating rink 1860.

Earliest known arrival of game to usa 1856 at st.paul’s school at concord new hampshire.They played shinny to ice field hockey to ice polo.Montreal rules of hockey used by james conover at st.paul’s school nh in 1880-81.

First game to mention postions and play 7 on 7 was at the montreal winter carnival festival 1883.

Burlington vermont hosts that carnival in 1886 and played the first international hockey match (7 on7) between the montreal hc and local van ness house club.

First organized league was in 1886-87 the amatuer hockey association in montreal.

First pro league created in portage, michigan 1904 (iphl).Local business man james dee & canadian dentist doc gibson.

Early hockey pants worn 1896 at detroit medical school.Modern goalie pads Duluth central high school circa 1903-04.Maybe earlier there.

Early 6 0n 6 version of game washington park brooklyn 1908(aahl).

Blocker invention lorne chabot canada 1920’s.Nhl goalie trapper mike karakas from aurora minnesota late 1930’s.Helmet frank goheen white bear lake minnesota 1910’,1920’s.

Clarence abel(sault st marie, michigan).First us player to win stanley cup with the 1928 rangers.

First parallel defense pairing.Coach alfred winsor harvard in 1911-12.

George owen and coach william claflin of harvard invents full three man line change 1923.

First goalie mask jaques plante 1959.

I wonder, if the HOF knew Snider would go 38 years without a cup, if they’d still induct him.

Basically it’s like watching the Swedish Elite League (sorry, had to say it LOL)

And it’s only going to get bigger. Sid’s done a ton individually to promote youth hockey in the city and get kids equipment. And the Pens and Flyers have joined forces as well to this end.