Which folk game did not inform hockey's evolution?

The assertion that bandy did not inform hockey's evolution is based on the specific characteristics and historical context of these games. While bandy shares similarities with ice hockey, particularly in terms of being played on ice with skates, its influence on the development of modern ice hockey has been less direct compared to the other options.

Field hockey, shinty, and lacrosse each have elements that have contributed to the shaping of hockey as we know it today. For example, field hockey has influenced stick handling and gameplay strategies, while shinty shares several similarities with hockey regarding rules and play style. Lacrosse, with its use of sticks to handle a ball, highlights the importance of stick skills that have become integral to ice hockey.

In contrast, bandy retains a unique set of rules and gameplay that did not have as significant an impact on the evolution of ice hockey, particularly in terms of how the modern game is structured and played today. This distinction makes it clear that while bandy is part of the broader family of stick-and-ball sports, its contribution to the evolution of hockey is minimal compared to the other folk games mentioned.