Isobel Stanley (Lady)

Women's Hockey Pioneer

Was the daughter of former Governor General of Canada Lord Stanley of Preston. Mr. Stanley was the sixth Governor General of Canada from 1888 to 1893.

While she lived in Ottawa, Isobel Stanley helped to popularize ice hockey in Canada and is considered one of the first women to play the game.

One of the first women to be photographed with a puck and stick circa 1890 while playing hockey on the natural ice rink beside Government House (now known as Rideau Hall) in Ottawa. The rink was built by her father, Lord Stanley who was Canada's Governer General from 1888 to 1893. The whole family played hockey together including their mother Lady Stanley.

The first recorded women's hockey game was played on March 8, 1889 as reported by the Ottawa Evening Journal. The game was between Government House team and the Rideau Ladies team. Stanley was part of the lineup for Government House.

She played an instrumental role in getting her father Lord Stanley to donate a trophy to hockey hence the Stanley Cup.

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