The Stanley Cup
The Stanley Cup is one of the world's oldest and most prestigious awards. Its history goes back to the late 19th century, when Lord Stanley, the Earl of Preston and the Governor General of Canada, announced his desire for a hockey championship.
Lord Stanley purchased a silver trophy for 10 guineas – the equivalent of about $50 – to be given to the “champion hockey team in the Dominion.” The Cup was given to two trustees, and its acquisition required the completion of the following conditions:
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Each winning team would have its club name and the year the Cup was won engraved on a silver rung.
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The Cup is not the property of any one team but to the competition itself.
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The Cup is to be returned to the trustees in good condition
The first team ever awarded the cup was the Montreal Amateur Athletic Association in 1893.
In 1910, the National Hockey Association took over the Cup, and by 1926, only NHL teams could compete for it.
The Cup has undergone numerous alterations to its appearance since its initial design in the 19th century. It no longer houses all the names of the various hockey winners, but still consists of a bowl with several tiered bands. It stands at about 35 inches tall and weighs about 34 pounds.
Once an organization wins the Stanley Cup, team members and staff are given 24 hours with the trophy, a celebration unrivaled by any other sport award in the world. The Cup has seen the world and has even had stays on various continents.
The Stanley Cup continues a long tradition, and remains the most prestigious award in sports all over the world.
The last Stanley Cup champions were the Detroit Red Wings. For a complete list of champions, please click here.