April 26, 1950 - The Women's Pavilion on Notre Dame Avenue officially opens. For a history of the building.
1920 Winnipeg Falcons: Robert
Benson, Walter Byron, Frank Fredrickson - Captain, Christian
Fridfinnson, Magnus Goodman, Haldor Halderson, Konrad Johannesson, Allan
Woodman, Lou Marsh - Manager, Herbert Axford - Coach, Bill
Fridfinnson - Secretary, Gordon Sigurjonson – Trainer. (Source)
April 26, 1920 - The Winnipeg Falcons win the first Olympic Gold Medal for ice hockey in Antwerp, Belgium. The team was made up mainly of Icelandic immigrants and their descendants from around the West End.
“Officer with members of the Winnipeg Falcons Hockey Team, aboard R.M.S. Grampian en route to the VII Olympiade, Belgium.” Source.
Despite
the fact that many looked down upon Icelandics as near the 'bottom of
the barrel' of immigrant groups, stereotyped as uneducated and
impoverished, the city as a whole celebrated their victory:
"The
victory of the Falcon hockey team of Winnipeg over all-comers at the
Olympic tournament at Antwerp is a matter of pride for all Canadians,
and for Winnipeg people especially. The Falcons, representing the
Dominion of Canada, have demonstrated to the world the stuff of which
young Canadians are made"
Free Press Editorial, April 28, 1920
Free Press Editorial, April 28, 1920
Their
achievement was largely forgotten until a resurgence of interest
in 2001, the year Manitoba hosted the World U-17 Hockey
Championships. The federal and provincial governments recognized the families of Falcon members and Team Canada dedicated the tournament to the 1920 team.
Since then books have been written and murals painted. In 2004 Team Canada took to the ice in the gold and black worn by the Falcons. A commemorative display was also set up at the MTS Centre.
Related:
1920 Winnipeg Falcons Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame
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