Exciting Showdown: Cougars and Millionaires Take Center Stage at B.C. Sports Hall of Fame!

A century has passed since the Victoria Cougars claimed the Stanley Cup in 1925, but that moment is alive and vibrant today in an unexpected spot: a plastic dome in downtown Vancouver.

The BC Sports Hall of Fame recently introduced a unique bubble hockey game, featuring a showdown between the Cougars and the 1915 Vancouver Millionaires. Dubbed the “British Columbia Historical Classic,” this game lets visitors take on hockey legends from the province’s only Stanley Cup champions.

“It was just perfect timing,” said Jason Beck, the curator and director at the Hall. They were already planning to celebrate the Cougars’ centennial when an unexpected opportunity arose in November. Dr. Robert O’Connor, a family doctor and hockey aficionado, created the customized Super Chexx Pro game in his garage to honor the Cougars. After debuting at a medical conference last fall, he generously donated it to the Hall.

When the Hall’s staff learned about the game, they were intrigued. “They didn’t tell us much, just that there was a bubble hockey game available,” Beck recalled. “We figured it couldn’t hurt to have it.” When the game arrived, they were amazed to see how pristine it was. “Turns out, only about 100 people had played it at the conference. It was like getting a brand-new car that had only been driven around the block,” Beck added.

But the game isn’t just a fun activity; it’s steeped in history. Each player is hand-painted in their team colors—sky blue and gold for the Cougars, maroon and cream for the Millionaires—and features the names and numbers of actual players from that era. Fans can face players like Cyclone Taylor from the Millionaires and Frank Frederickson from the Cougars. “You’ve probably got seven or eight Hall of Famers on the ice,” Beck noted. “Most people don’t realize Victoria was the last B.C. team to win the Stanley Cup, and that surprises them.”

The attention to detail doesn’t stop there. A mini Jumbotron above the rink features the name “Patrick Arena,” a nod to the rink in Victoria that hosted the Cougars. The setup includes pre-game national anthems, crowd noise, a goal siren, and even commentary by Vancouver broadcaster Blake Price. The base of the game is adorned with a historical display filled with old photographs and facts about the Pacific Coast Hockey Association, founded by the innovative Patrick brothers. Their contributions, from blue lines to jersey numbers, helped shape modern hockey.

“The impact of the Patricks is still felt today,” Beck pointed out. “Having this game showcase that history is just perfect.”

The bubble hockey game is free for all visitors to the Hall of Fame, located at Gate A of BC Place Stadium. Beck hopes it sparks nostalgia and curiosity about a pivotal time in hockey history. “These two teams changed the game. Now anyone can come down, give it a spin, and relive that story.”

The rich history behind this game highlights the vibrant hockey culture in British Columbia and serves as a reminder of the sport’s deep roots in the community. Recent surveys show that 45% of Canadians see hockey as part of their identity, a sentiment that resonates especially well with fans in B.C., where hockey passions run deep. The installation not only celebrates the past but also fosters the next generation’s love for the game.

By offering a hands-on experience, the BC Sports Hall of Fame invites visitors to engage with history in a way that’s both entertaining and educational. As players and fans alike dive into this mini-hockey world, they become part of a legacy that spans generations. For more on British Columbia’s hockey history, check out the [BC Sports Hall of Fame](http://www.bcsportshalloffame.com).

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