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A Canadian Game with Quiet Roots
Everyone knows hockey is Canada’s top winter sport. But another ice sport that has been a part of local communities for decades is ringette. Quick, smart, and developed right here in Canada during the 1960s, it may not be as popular as some others, but it still enjoys a strong following, especially among women.
Ringette started in North Bay, Ontario. There weren’t that many girls’ team sports at that time. So, the sport was created to fill that demand. It looks a bit like hockey, but after watching a game, the differences are clear. Ringette is solely a passing, team, and strategy sport. It has a slower tempo—more stops, resets, and more shared plays. The differences between ringette and hockey are on the same level as traditional online casinos vary from popular sweepstakes platforms: the basics stay the same, but the beauty is in the details. Even though the relatively new sports do not receive as much attention, it is a joy to watch.
How Ringette Is Played
There’s no puck. Instead, players use a rubber ring. The stick is straight, without a blade. That means no one can shoot or carry the ring the same way they would in hockey. Passing is required—especially across blue lines. Players can’t carry the ring over the lines themselves. This forces them to work together.
Teams have six players on the ice. That includes a goalie, two defenders, a center, and two forwards. There’s also a 30-second shot clock. If the team doesn’t shoot in time, they lose the ring. It keeps the pace quick and the players thinking fast.
Ringette’s Place in Canadian Culture
Ringette isn’t on TV much. But in towns across Canada, especially in Alberta, Ontario, Quebec, and Manitoba, it’s a big part of winter life. Kids grow up playing in local leagues. Parents volunteer. Families fill small-town arenas to support one another.
The Canadian Ringette Championships are where the best teams in Canada play. They aren’t televised, but they mean a lot to the communities that host them. To others, ringette is the go-to physical activity during the cold season.
Why It Gets Overlooked
Hockey dominates headlines, and that leaves ringette in the background. It doesn’t help that media coverage is limited. Most people outside the sport don’t know the rules, the teams, or the structure. Social media has helped a bit, but not enough to raise its profile nationally.
Still, organizations are trying. Ringette Canada and local clubs are promoting the sport through online campaigns and school programs. Some youth groups are introducing kids to ringette early, hoping to build stronger interest over time.
What’s Next for Ringette?
Ringette isn’t chasing big sponsorships or pro leagues. It’s still mostly run by local volunteers. But it’s stable. Participation is holding steady. The majority of these kids are in the game through their teenage years, or even into adulthood. The teamwork and speed that is emphasized in the game make it a fantastic vehicle for developing skills that are transferable to other sports—or life in general.
Of course, there are questions about its future. Can it grow beyond its current base? Will more people discover it? These are open questions. For now, though, it’s still going strong in the places where it started.
Quick Facts
- Born in Ontario in the 1960s.
- Uses a ring, not a puck.
- Passing is required across blue lines.
- Played mostly by girls and women.
- Popular in several provinces, especially in smaller communities.
- Has its own national championships every year.
Ringette isn’t flashy. But for many Canadians, it’s familiar. Cold rinks. Early games. Quiet pride. It’s a sport that’s still growing, even if few people are watching.