Historical Timeline

Explore over a hundred years of Nova Scotia sports history.

1861: John Starr opens the Starr Manufacturing Company in downtown Dartmouth — John Starr opens the Starr Manufacturing Company in downtown Dartmouth

1904: Report of the first women’s hockey game played in Nova Scotia — Report of the first women’s hockey game played in Nova Scotia

1913: The Sydney Millionaires Lose the Stanley Cup Final – the last time a team from the Maritimes plays for the Cup — The Sydney Millionaires Lose the Stanley Cup Final – the last time a team from the Maritimes plays for the Cup

1914: Lester Lowther of Amherst becomes the first Nova Scotian to play in the NHL — Lester Lowther of Amherst becomes the first Nova Scotian to play in the NHL

1922: Three Nova Scotians Play on the Stanley-Cup-Winning Toronto St. Pat’s Team — Three Nova Scotians Play on the Stanley-Cup-Winning Toronto St. Pat’s Team

1927: The Forum Opens with the First Artificial Ice Surface East of Montreal — The Forum Opens with the First Artificial Ice Surface East of Montreal

1935: The Halifax Wolverines Win the Allan Cup — The Halifax Wolverines Win the Allan Cup

1950: Art Dorrington of Truro Becomes the First Black Player to sign an NHL Contract — Art Dorrington of Truro Becomes the First Black Player to sign an NHL Contract

1952: Danny Gallivan is named the play-by-play voice of the Montreal Canadiens — Danny Gallivan is named the play-by-play voice of the Montreal Canadiens

1953: Douglas “Dugger” McNeil leads the Halifax Atlantics to the Alexander Cup as player-coach — Douglas “Dugger” McNeil leads the Halifax Atlantics to the Alexander Cup as player-coach

1958: The Maritime Hockey School Begins Operations — The Maritime Hockey School Begins Operations

1966: Stan “Chook” Maxwell of Truro leads the IHL in scoring for 3 straight seasons — Stan “Chook” Maxwell of Truro leads the IHL in scoring for 3 straight seasons

1970: First Black Line in Canadian University Hockey — First Black Line in Canadian University Hockey

1971: Al MacNeil Coaches the Montreal Canadiens to the Stanley Cup — Al MacNeil Coaches the Montreal Canadiens to the Stanley Cup

1972: The NS Voyageurs Win the Calder Cup — The NS Voyageurs Win the Calder Cup

1974: Bill Riley becomes the first black Nova Scotian to play in the NHL — Bill Riley becomes the first black Nova Scotian to play in the NHL

1976: The NS Voyageurs Win Another Calder Cup — The NS Voyageurs Win Another Calder Cup

1977: The NS Voyageurs Achieve Back-to-Back Calder Cup Wins — The NS Voyageurs Achieve Back-to-Back Calder Cup Wins

1981: Al MacInnis of Port Hood is chosen 15th overall in the NHL draft by the Calgary Flames — Al MacInnis of Port Hood is chosen 15th overall in the NHL draft by the Calgary Flames

1983: Paul Boutilier of Sydney wins the Stanley Cup with the New York Islanders — Paul Boutilier of Sydney wins the Stanley Cup with the New York Islanders

1986: Mike McPhee of River Bourgeois wins the Stanley Cup with the Montreal Canadiens — Mike McPhee of River Bourgeois wins the Stanley Cup with the Montreal Canadiens

1987: Cam Russell is Chosen 50th overall by the Chicago Blackhawks in the NHL Draft — Cam Russell is Chosen 50th overall by the Chicago Blackhawks in the NHL Draft

1987: Don Koharski is Chosen to Referee Game 3 of the 1987 Canada Cup — Don Koharski is Chosen to Referee Game 3 of the 1987 Canada Cup

1989: Al MacInnis wins the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP as the Flames win the Stanley Cup — Al MacInnis wins the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP as the Flames win the Stanley Cup

1991: Glen Murray of Bridgewater is chosen 18th in the NHL draft by the Boston Bruins — Glen Murray of Bridgewater is chosen 18th in the NHL draft by the Boston Bruins

1993: Acadia Axemen win the CIAU Men’s Hockey Championship — Acadia Axemen win the CIAU Men’s Hockey Championship

1993: The Cape Breton Oilers Win the Calder Cup — The Cape Breton Oilers Win the Calder Cup

1993: John Paris Jr. of Windsor becomes the first Black coach in pro hockey — John Paris Jr. of Windsor becomes the first Black coach in pro hockey

1994: Dave Andrews is named President of the American Hockey League — Dave Andrews is named President of the American Hockey League

1994: Fabian Joseph of Sydney Captains Canada to Olympic Silver — Fabian Joseph of Sydney Captains Canada to Olympic Silver

1994: The Halifax Mooseheads Begin Play in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League — The Halifax Mooseheads Begin Play in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League

1996: Jody Shelley is named captain of the Halifax Mooseheads — Jody Shelley is named captain of the Halifax Mooseheads

1997: The Cape Breton Screaming Eagles Begin play in the QMJHL — The Cape Breton Screaming Eagles Begin play in the QMJHL

1998: Truro Bearcats win the Allan Cup — Truro Bearcats win the Allan Cup

1999: Al MacInnis wins the Norris Trophy as the NHL’s Top Defenceman — Al MacInnis wins the Norris Trophy as the NHL’s Top Defenceman

1999

Sport: Hockey

Jon Sim of New Glasgow wins the Stanley Cup with the Dallas Stars

In 1999, the Dallas Stars reached the top, and Jon Sim of New Glasgow, Nova Scotia was part of the climb.

For Sim, it had started early—mini-sticks in the family hallway, a game always on the TV. But he wasn’t a prodigy; not at first.

Then it changed.

In Sarnia, he became one of the most dangerous scorers in junior hockey with back-to-back 50-goal seasons, 165 goals and 311 points— numbers that still define the Sarnia Sting record book. Sim had skill, speed, and a release that separated him.

The NHL followed.

With Dallas, he learned the rest: how to adapt, how to contribute, how to stay. He had energy, edge, and a willingness to play any role. By 1999, the Stars were ready.

Sim was there—on the roster, in the room, part of every push through the playoffs. And when it ended, Dallas had the Cup.

For Sim, it wasn’t about the spotlight. It was about earning a place, and making it count when it mattered most.

1970

Historical Timeline

1861

1904

1913

1914

1922

1927

1935

1950

1952

1953

1958

1966

1970

1971

1972

1974

1976

1977

1981

1983

1986

1987

1987

1989

1991

1993

1993

1993

1994

1994

1994

1996

1997

1998

1999

1999

Jon Sim of New Glasgow wins the Stanley Cup with the Dallas Stars