Thistle Rink Hockey Practice Edmonton 1900

The Thistle Rink played a significant role in the city’s sports and social life in the early 20th century. Built in 1902, it was one of Edmonton’s first large indoor ice rinks, providing a central space for hockey games, curling matches, figure skating, and other winter sports. The rink was home to the Edmonton Thistles hockey team and hosted spirited competitions, drawing fans from across the city to cheer on local players.

Beyond sports, the Thistle Rink was also a popular venue for community gatherings, social events, and even political meetings (including Alberta's provincial inauguration, making it a cultural and social landmark in Edmonton. Although it was eventually destroyed by fire in 1912, the Thistle Rink is remembered fondly as a pioneering site for Edmonton’s winter sports and community events, marking an important chapter in the city’s early history.