James Wallace Conant

James Wallace Conant
Born(1862-08-10)August 10, 1862
Portsmouth, Ohio, United States
DiedMarch 14, 1906(1906-03-14) (aged 43)
New York City, United States
Resting placeAllegheny Cemetery
40°28′19″N 79°57′04″W / 40.472°N 79.951°W / 40.472; -79.951
OccupationAmusement manager
Years active1893–1906
Known for
SpouseMargaret Conant

James Wallace Conant (August 10, 1862 – March 14, 1906) was an amusement manager who later became the manager of the Schenley Park Casino, as well as the first manager of the Duquesne Gardens, the first indoor ice rinks in the city of Pittsburgh. Conant is credited with bringing the sport of ice hockey to Pittsburgh, since the indoor ice rinks lured many Canadian players to the city. Over time several of the Canadian players were actually paid to play hockey first at the Casino, and later at the Gardens. He was also the founder of the Western Pennsylvania Hockey League, the first hockey league to openly hire and trade players.