Recent research in Chicago-area archives has turned up what seems to be a 19th Century predecessor to Second City Hockey. Fragments have been found of "The Chicago Area Pond Hockey Circular For Discerning Gentlemen" (the Victorians thought 'Snappy Title' meant 'Earl') which appears to be a from of newsletter that would be circulated between correspondents, each one adding a "comment" beneath the last.

Needless to say this was a rather slow and cumbersome way of having a goalie controversy. This first example seems to be discussing the "Chicago Heathen Savages" defeating a team from Detroit. I should add that, despite some remarkable similarities, all correspondents names are entirely fictional and any resemblance to current SCH types is purely coincidental)

And there is more...

There appears to be a lengthy 19th century discussion about the Coaching Situation...

and Finally..

Some gentleman who prefers to disport among the gutter-snipes has his tainted say..

It appears that, even in more Genteel times, the conversation could quickly turn nasty and wander into strange and contentious politics. Here, the subject is the various European power blocs of the late 19th Century and things are getting heated.

Interestingly, this spat brings about the first appearance of the "Ladies Of Moderation" who interject into the menfolk's fulminations to bring things back to a more even keel.

Which sorted that out nicely. Then as now, etc.

Professor Bartimus O'Brannigan, TCD