What was one of the primary influences on the rules of early hockey?

The influence of rugby on the early rules of hockey was significant due to the similarities in gameplay and structure. Rugby introduced concepts of team play, passing, and the overall physicality of the sport, which carried over into the development of hockey. As hockey began to take shape in Canada, it adopted elements like the fundamental concept of advancing a ball or puck down the field or ice while working together as a team.

Hockey maintained a dynamic that was influenced heavily by rugby's rules concerning player interaction and the organization of play. This led to the eventual codification of hockey’s rules, establishing gameplay strategies that mirrored the team-oriented approach of rugby. The legacy of rugby can be seen in the way players interact on the ice, the importance placed on teamwork, and the strategic elements of moving the puck towards the opponent's goal.

While other sports like baseball, field hockey, and ice skating contributed to the sport's development, rugby’s impact was more pronounced in shaping the foundational rules and the overall nature of play in early hockey.