Louis Magnus

Louis Magnus (1881 – 1950) was a French sports administrator, ice hockey player, and speed skater. He is considered a pioneer of French ice hockey and is best known for his contributions to the development and organization of the sport in France and Europe.

Magnus was a key figure in the establishment of the Ligue Internationale de Hockey sur Glace (LIHG), the precursor to the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF), serving as its president from 1912 to 1914. His leadership helped to standardize rules and promote international competition in the early days of organized ice hockey.

In France, he was instrumental in founding the Fédération Française des Sports de Glace (FFSG), the French ice sports federation, and played a significant role in organizing national ice hockey leagues and championships.

Magnus was also a competitive athlete, representing France in both ice hockey and speed skating at international events, including the Olympic Games.

His legacy is honored through the Magnus Cup, the championship trophy awarded annually to the winner of the French Ligue Magnus, the top professional ice hockey league in France. The league itself is also named in his honor. Louis Magnus’s efforts significantly shaped the landscape of ice hockey in France and contributed to the growth of the sport internationally.