The Reid Influence
The Reid Newfoundland Company built a trans-island railway across Newfoundland in 1898 and it was that company's president, R.G. Reid, who is credited with being the person most responsible for introducing the game of ice hockey to Newfoundland that same year. With the initial St. John's railway station located in the Fort William area where Hotel Newfoundland was built, Reid utilized some of his vacant land in the same area for the construction of a rink. The foundation was laid December 11, 1898 and the facility was called The Prince's Rink, after the Prince of Wales who would later become Edward VII. The Prince's Rink was the leading hockey facility in Newfoundland until it was destroyed by fire in 1941. Many other sports and activities utilized the facilities of the Prince's Rink. With local players improving their skills and talents rapidly, Sir Edward Morris donated a trophy for a Newfoundland/Truro, Nova Scotia competition that had five games played in 1901 and 1902. In 1901 at St. John's, Truro won 6-2 and 1-0 with a third game tied 3-3. Truro won 2-1 and 3-1 at Truro in 1902. That was the end of the series. Bob Simms, Will Woodley, Arch Munn, Jim Vinicome, George Marshall, J.C "Plus" Parsons, Arthur Herder and manager A.E. Hayward comprised the Newfoundland team.