Olympic Hockey

Olympic Hockey, released in 1972 by Chicago Coin, emerged during a significant period of both pinball history and growing interest in hockey across North America. The timing of this machine coincided with the growing popularity of the NHL and international hockey competitions, making it a relevant theme for the era.

The machine captured the excitement of ice hockey through its playfield design and mechanical features. As an electro-mechanical pinball machine, it utilized the classic technologies of the period, including mechanical score reels, chime units, and relay-based logic. The playfield likely featured hockey-themed artwork, player figures, and goals or nets as primary targets, though specific details of the layout are not extensively documented.

Olympic Hockey represented part of a broader trend of sports-themed pinball machines that were popular during the early 1970s. Chicago Coin, while not as prominent as manufacturers like Williams or Gottlieb, was known for producing both pinball machines and other arcade games during this period, particularly those with sports themes. The machine would have been marketed to arcades, bowling alleys, and other entertainment venues where sports-themed games were particularly popular.

While not considered one of the most groundbreaking or influential pinball machines of its era, Olympic Hockey serves as an interesting example of how manufacturers incorporated popular sports themes into their pinball designs during the electro-mechanical period. It represents a snapshot of both pinball and hockey culture at the beginning of the 1970s.