ARCHIVED - Backcheck: Hockey for Kids

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Handout 2.1

Group Questions for Reading Focus

Students will read and interpret the following articles from 'hockey' website: 'Backcheck: A Hockey Retrospective'. Refer to focus questions.

Group 1:
"1972 was a benchmark year in the history of Canadian hockey".

Articles:

1. 'Big Jet Landed'; "Bobby Hull sera vite oublie" - Harold Ballard
2. 'Fight Hull Move Chicago Advised'
3. 'This may be your ticket to a Canadian-Soviet Game'
4. 'Letter from Claude Houle to Prime Minister Trudeau protesting …'
   Image: e001217380v5 (Le lettre de Claude Houle)
5. 'Letter from eight year old Allan Johnson …'
6. 'Letter from Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau to Hockey Canada…'
7. 'Canadian Team Outplayed in every area, Stunned Coach Admits';
   'L'URSS détruit le mythe de la suprématie du Canada au hockey'.
8. 'From Russia with Glory';
   'Victoire finale: 6-5, Phénoménale remontée de l'équipe Canada. Paul Henderson héros une troisième fois.

Focus Questions:
(Focus questions are intended help in research and are not necessarily to be answered specifically. Each question may refer to only one or two articles in the list.)

1. Why were Team Canada and many Canadians shocked by the outcome of game one of the 'Summit Series'?

2. List key Canadian and Soviet players in this series.

3. Compare the play of the Canadians with that of the Soviets.

4. How did the Canadian team overcome the Soviet challenge? Why do many Canadians consider this series as the greatest event in Canadian hockey history? Do you agree? Explain.

5. What was the WHA? Why was it created and what controversy did it raise? Discuss.

6. What was the significance of the letters from Prime Minister Trudeau and other Canadians? If you were a young hockey fan in 1972, what position would you have taken? Why?

Group 2:
"The early Years of Hockey in Canada."

Articles:

1. 'The Origins of Hockey' - an essay by Paul Kitchen
2. 'In the beginning…' an essay by J.W. (Bill) Fitzell
3. ' Franklin Hockey' - Second Expedition (Link from Bill Fitzell's essay)
4. Colonial Patriot 1825
5. The Montreal Gazette March 4, 1875
6. 'Hockey on Ice'
7. 'Sports and Pastimes: formation of a dominion Association'
8. 'Stars on Ice'
9. 'The Governor-General's Cup'
10. 'Toronto Given Fourth Franchise'
    'TORONTO REMPLACERA LE CLUB QUEBEC DANS LA LIGUE DE HOCKEY'

Focus Questions:
(Focus questions are intended help in research and are not necessarily to be answered specifically. Each question may refer to only one or two articles in the list.)

1. What theories were offered for the origins of hockey? Evidence?

2. Describe some interesting events surrounding the game in the early 19th century.

3. From your readings describe as best you can how the game was organized and played in the early days (ie. The number of players, positions, equipment, rules, length of games, ice conditions etc.)?

4. From what games might hockey have evolved? Evidence?

5. When and where was the game of hockey institutionalized or officially organized? How did this come about?

6. Describe how the Stanley cup came into existence.

7. Outline the circumstances under which the National Hockey League (NHL) was born in 1917.

Group 3:
"Violence in Hockey"

Articles:

1. 'Masson Faces Murder Charge'
2. 'Toronto et Boston dans une rencontre brutale, hier soir'
3. 'Richard Out for the Season and Playoffs'
4. 'Campbell Statement On Richard Censure';
   'Texte de la décision du président Campbell';
   'LE CANADIEN REDOUBLERA D'EFFORTS POUR REMPORTER LE CHAMPIONNAT.
5. Mob Rule Wrecks Forum, Game'
6. 'A blow by blow account' (Bertuzzi/Moore)

Focus Questions:
(Focus questions are intended help in research and are not necessarily to be answered specifically. Each question may refer to only one or two articles in the list.)

1. From the articles outline four historically significant examples of violence in hockey that have taken place over the last one hundred years.

2. Identify similarities and differences among the four cases.

3. What arguments are made 'for' and 'against' rough play and/or violence in hockey? How valid are the arguments that were given? Where do you stand on this issue? Explain.

Group 4:
Defining Moments in the History of Hockey

1. 'Skaters find Ice in Fine Condition'
2. 'Bruneteau's Talley Gives Detroit Win in Sixth Ovetime';
   'LE DÉTROIT TRIOMPHE DU MONTRÉAL DANS LE PLUS LONG MATCH DE L'HISTOIRE DE LA LIGUE NATIONALE.
3. 'Richard gets 50^th in Boston Game';
   '50e point de Richard'
4. 'Sawchuck Blanks Habs 3-0'e. 'Orr Pays Off on Overtime Goal 4-3';
   'Orr en évidence. Les Bruins gagnent la coupe Stanley en quatre parties'.
5. 'Howe Scores 800^th NHL goal as Whalers Blank the Blues'
   LIGUE NATIONALE Newspaper article. La Presse. -- (1 mars 1980). -- P.E8.
6. 'Gretzky gone';
   'Les Oilers vendent Gretzky à Los Angeles pour $10 millions.'
7. 'Rangers Win, 2 to1; Chabot Badly Hurt'
8. With a Few Tears and a Final Assist, Gretzky Says Goodbye'

Focus questions:
(Focus questions are intended help in research and are not necessarily to be answered specifically. Each question may refer to only one or two articles in the list.)

1. Are these 'defining moments' in your opinion? Explain.

2. Prioritize a list of the top five. Defend your list.

3. Are there other 'moments' that you know of, that you feel should be included? Should some be excluded? Why?

4. Would some of these 'moments' be considered integral parts of Canadian folklore, culture and history? Explain.

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