J. G. Creighton was the Canadian from Halifax, Nova Scotia, who created the first set of ice hockey rules about 140 years ago. Upon arriving in Montreal, he presented hockey sticks and skates patented by a Nova Scotia company in 1866.

The development of the modern version of organized ice hockey played as a team sport is often credited to James Creighton. In 1872, he moved from Halifax, Nova Scotia to Montreal, bringing skates, hockey sticks, and a game with a basic set of rules with him.

'In 1872, a young man from Halifax, Nova Scotia named James Creighton moved to Montreal, bringing the sport of ice hockey (hereafter referred to just as "hockey") with him - more particularly, bringing with him hockey sticks and skates.

It took place at Victoria Skating Rink on March 3, 1875, with two teams of nine players each. James Creighton organized the game and even captained one of the teams. While it is documented as the first indoor organized game of hockey in Canada, all signs point to Europe as the birthplace of the beloved game – controversial or not.