Hugh J. McCormick

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Hugh J. McCormick (1854–1910) was a Canadian professional speed skater from Kennebecasis Island, New Brunswick. He was born in McCormick House at the confluence of the Saint John and Kennebecasis Rivers, an area where cold winters fostered strong skating traditions.

McCormick skated professionally from 1883 to 1895 and won several titles, including New Brunswick Champion, Canadian Maritime Champion, North American Champion, and World Champion.

In 1890 he becameWorld Professional Speed Skating Champion after defeating the reigning champion Axel Paulsen of Norway in Minneapolis, Minnesota. In 1892 he traveled to Oslo (then Christiania) to face the new Norwegian champion, Harold Hagen, who defeated him and took the title. They met again in 1893 in Minneapolis, but McCormick did not win. He retired after the 1895 season.

Hugh J. McCormick died in 1910, at about 55 or 56 years old.