Sydney Millionaires

In the fall of 1912, a group of prominent Sydney businessmen began the process towards the acquisition of a professional hockey franchise for Sydney, Nova Scotia.  These Sydney elite were spurred on by the near completion of Sydney’s first indoor arena.

In late February 1912, President Lithgow sent a telegram to the trustees of the Stanley Cup requesting that the champions of the Maritime Professional Hockey Association challenge for the Stanley Cup that spring.  To the glee of the Maritime fans the news came back from Mr.

The 1912 season saw the New Glasgow Cubs and the Moncton Victorias repeatedly change places at the top of the standings with the Moncton Vics eventually being declared the winner and awarded the Crosby Cup.  The Starr Trophy was taken out of commission the previous year (since it was won by the Moncton Vics three times in a row it was now owned by that organization).  The Crosby Cup was donated by Adam Brown Crosby former mayor of Halifax and President of the Arena Rink

A sad event took place early in the year during the 1912 Maritime Professional hockey season.  In a game between the Halifax Crescents and the New Glasgow Cubs taking place in New Glasgow. During an on ice altercation, Edgar Dey, of Ottawa took a blow to the chest that at the time appeared relatively innocent.

From all accounts, the second season of the Maritime Professional league was a very successful one with a few exceptions along the way.  One ongoing problem that arose early in the season was the need for an official set of rules to attempt to curb much of the violence taking place on the ice. The following, from a local newspaper, was an excerpt from a Halifax Socials vs. Halifax Crescents game which took place early in the 1912 season: