Cross Check!: Barney Holden and the Birth of Professional Hockey in North America

Barney Holden was one tough character, like most of the hockey players in the 1900's. He played every game as if it was his last. Motivated by the chance to escape the Manitoba lumber mills for three months out of the year, he played in the United States for fun and money. He played at a time when there was little protective gear; "slashing" below the knees was still acceptable; and on-ice fist fights were expected and encouraged. When the first professional hockey league dissolved in 1907, Holden and other hockey pioneers returned to Canada demanding huge salaries. Hockey was never the same again.