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    A century ago, there was some exciting news as the National Hockey League underwent a massive expansion into the United States, with three iconic franchises playing their first-ever regular season games. 

The Chicago Black Hawks skated in their first official match and defeated the Toronto St. Patrick’s 4-1. This game took place on November 18,1926.

    The New York Rangers made their debut 2 nights earlier and played against the Montreal Maroons at Madison Square Garden and defeated the Maroons 1-0. The Detroit Cougars (Red Wings) made their National Hockey League debut on November 18,1926. Due to stadium construction delays in Detroit, they actually played across the border in Canada at the Border Cities Arena in Windsor, Ontario.

In the Canadian football League, the Ottawa Senators secured their place at the top of the interprovincial rugby football union, paving their way to fourteenth Grey Cup Championship match which would take place in December.

   November 1926 also marked the debut of the Winnipeg Maroons as founding members of the brand-new American Hockey Association. Having lost their home when the Winnipeg Auditorium burned down earlier in the year, the Maroons moved into Shea's Amphitheater. Their goalie was a 21-year-old and future National Hockey League Hall of fame goalie Chuck Gardiner.

The Winnipeg and District Junior Hockey League which later became known as the Manitoba Junior Hockey League launched its 1926-27 season.  The Brandon Wheat Kings were members of this league before the Western Canadian Hockey league was formed. Now the Virden Oil Capitals are members of this league and are enjoying a great season. Wouldn't it be fantastic if the Capitals could win and celebrate this season as league Champions, the 100-year champs!