FIRST OLYMPIC HOCKEY GOLD MEDAL AND SWEATER
FIND A HOME IN THE HOCKEY HALL OF FAME

TORONTO- March 19, 2002. Canada regained Olympic hockey glory at the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Games by winning double gold in both ice hockey events. The tradition of winning ice hockey gold for Canada began with the Winnipeg Falcons in 1920.

The Hockey Hall of Fame recently received a significant donation from the son of Konrad Johannesson, who was a member of the powerhouse Winnipeg Falcons championship team. Mr. Brian Johannesson donated his father’s gold medal, Winnipeg Falcons Canadian Olympic sweater,VIIth Olympic arm band, Canadian passport and other documents. The 1920 Team Canada Gold medal sweater is currently on display in Royal Canadian Mint World of Hockey Zone.

A large red Maple Leaf crest is front and centre on the honey yellow and black trimmed sweater make it one of the most striking artifacts in the Olympic showcase. Phil Pritchard, Director, Hockey Operations and Curator states, "It is arguably one of the most important donations ever received by the Hockey Hall of Fame. Mr. Johannesson’s donation finally allows the Hockey Hall of Fame the opportunity to showcase the Winnipeg Falcons and what they achieved over 80 years ago."Added Craig Campbell Manager, Resource Centre and Archives for the Hockey Hall of Fame, "no doubt, the 1920 Olympic gold medal and Team Canada Olympic sweater are among some of the most unique artifacts the Hockey Hall of Fame has collected over the years. It will certainly be a focal point within the ever expanding Olympic display in the Hockey Hall of Fame."

The Winnipeg Falcons participated in a tournament played April 23 - 29, 1920 in Antwerp, Belgium as part of the Seventh Olympic Games. It is officially recognized as the first Olympic ice hockey championship (International Olympic Committee) and the first World Championship (International Ice Hockey Federation). The Winnipeg Falcons were selected to represent Canada on the basis of winning the 1920 Allan Cup, symbolic of Canadian amateur senior championship. The roster was primarily made up of players who shared Icelandic descent and who made their home in Winnipeg, Manitoba.