Britannica
Sources used in this answer
Who owned the Portage Lakers, the first acknowledged professional ice hockey team?
Created from Britannica articles
using AI.
AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
ice hockey
Goalie Marc-André Fleury of the Vegas Golden Knights blocking a shot by Jakub Vrána of the Washington Capitals in game five of the 2018 Stanley Cup finals. The Capitals won the game and the series.
The Portage Lakers, recognized as the world's first professional ice hockey team, were owned by a dentist named J.L. Gibson.12
Formed in 1903 in Houghton, Michigan, the team was established by Gibson, who recruited Canadian players to compete professionally. Following this, Gibson went on to organize the International Pro Hockey League in 1904, marking the first acknowledged professional league in the sport.12