December 8, 2017, 9:00 pm. The Osgoode Township Museum will launch its latest publication, 1907: Metcalfe Wins the Cup! during the first period intermission of the Metcalfe Jets game, at the Larry Robinson Arena, 2785 8th Line Road, Metcalfe. Released to coincide with the NHL Classic game in Ottawa, this Canada 150 project is an entertaining and informative look at real classic hockey in the Ottawa area 110 years ago.

1907: Metcalfe Wins the Cup! is the true story of the scrappy team from Metcalfe village that took home the trophy in the inaugural season of the Russell County Hockey Association, in 1907. Building on artifacts and photographs from the collections of the Osgoode Township Museum, Metcalfe Wins the Cup! tells the story of local classic hockey through colourful pictures and short texts aimed to appeal to young readers. The book looks back to the early days of organized hockey, when

• Teams played with seven players on the ice, and no spares
• All rinks were outdoors, with natural ice, plank boards, and square corners
• Players and supporters got to the game by horse-drawn cutters, and by train
• Win or lose, the home team had to cook up a diner for the visitors
• Posting the news of the big win, meant mailing a post-card!

“We think this book will spark some great conversations about local history between grandparents, parents, and kids, by starting with some hockey stories from the past century,” says Carolle Dallas-Arbuckle, President of the Museum Board of Directors.

Publication of the book was made possible by generous contributions from the local community, including: Shroomfest; Metcalfe Fare Bar & Grill and the Metcalfe Jets Junior Hockey Team; Metcalfe and District Hockey Association; Office of George Darouze, Councillor; Campbell’s Metcalfe Variety; and, Myra Kelly.

Books retail at $10 and are on sale in Metcalfe at: Metcalfe Fare Bar & Grill, 7905 Victoria Street; Barry’s Canteen, Larry Robinson Arena, 2785 8th Line Road; Campbell’s Metcalfe Variety, 8196 Victoria Street; and, in Vernon at the Osgoode Township Museum, 7814 Lawrence Street.

Author Jane Cooper is a Research Associate with The Conference Board of Canada. Jane learned to skate on a pond north of Metcalfe, and had a ten-year on-ice career with the Winchester and District Ladies Hockey League. Illustrator Nelson Smith is a product support specialist by day, and freelance designer (graphic and video) by night. He grew up playing ‘Tim-Bits’ hockey, and is an avid Ottawa Senators fan. 1907: Metcalfe Wins the Cup! is published by the Osgoode Township Museum, 7814 Lawrence Street, Box 74, Vernon, Ontario, Canada K0A 3J0, www.osgoodemuseum.ca.

Contacts: Robin Cushnie, Manager, Osgoode Township Museum, 613-821-4062, manager@osgoodemuseum.ca, OR Jane Cooper, Author, 613-890-5200, jane.clare.cooper@gmail.com