Canadian Flag History

The Stratford Aces

The Early Years. The earliest records of women “hockeyists” on file are photographs from the 1880s, which show both men and women playing the game at skating parties hosted by Lord and Lady Stanley at Rideau Hall, with the women playing in full skirts. The first documented organized women’s game occurred in 1889 between the Government house team (featuring Lord Stanley’s daughter Isobel), and the Rideau Ladies.

The turn of the century saw the creation of women’s varsity hockey teams in universities. They did much to promote the sport. Many industries and institutions in towns supported teams and that was certainly true in Stratford. Until the Second World War, Canadian women were able to compete for the Eastern and Western Canada titles. A Dominion title was established in 1933 but The Great Depression made travel to compete difficult.

Women’s hockey was fairly well-received n this period by fans who would often pay to watch their favourite women’s teams battle it out at the rink. In the 1940s, the war halted development of the women’s game which really did not revive until the 1970s. See Early Hockey Teams

The Stratford Aces. During the 1930s, the Stratford Aces were known as a skilled team that enjoyed an intense rivalry with the Preston Rivulettes. Stratford also played other teams from Toronto, Kitchener London, Hamilton, Guelph and Port Dover.

Most players worked at day jobs or were in school. They faced practice time difficulties as well as financial ones. They also had to deal with gender discrimination. They did well as a team but they also had to play the aforementioned Preston Rivulettes during the 1930s who won championship after championship while maintaining an incredible win-loss record of 348 wins to only two losses, the all-time best ratio in either men’s or women’s hockey history.

The Stratford Aces were honoured with a 60th Anniversary reunion and have been additionally honoured on the Stratford Sports Wall of Fame. ( See McCarthy Rd)

The Aces later paved the way for the current group of young girls and women playing hockey in Stratford. The Stratford Aces Girls’ Hockey Association with full rep and house league programs for girls 8 to 21 is named in their honour. Source: Prepared by Gord Conroy

The Aces were known as a skilled team that enjoyed an intense rivalry with the Preston Rivulettes.They later paved the way for the current group of young girls and women playing hockey in Stratford."You talk about pioneers, they are pioneers," Nick Libett said. "I didn't really know the Stratford girls system was called the Aces here, and it's a great tribute to the Aces of the 1930s, and I think they would be tickled pink to be here and see the legacy they have." From the Stratford Beacon Herald:

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