Origins of Hockey in Wisconsin
Shinny was one of the most popular games among Native Americans all across America. The game was played very similar to lacrosse at the time. The field could be anywhere from a few hundred yards to a few miles long with anything from a tree to sticks marking the goal.. The number of players also varied greatly. Rules could also vary from game to game, but the were agreed on by both teams/tribes. The ball was similar to a lacrosse ball. A deer hide tightly stuffed with hair was typically used. The main difference between lacrosse and shinny was that shinny sticks were curved at the end so that you could hit the ball on the ground instead of carry it or throw it in the air. The ball could also be kicked in shinny but not touched by the hands. Renditions of this game were also played on ice. This game was mostly played by women, but men could play it also.