Stanley Cup: The storied, sometimes questionable and funny, history of one of sports' greatest trophies

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"Exploring the Unique History and Traditions of the Stanley Cup"

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Original Article Source: https://www.cnn.com/interactive/2025/06/04/sport/stanley-cup-nhl-history-spt/
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TruthLens AI Summary

The Stanley Cup, a symbol of excellence in professional hockey, boasts a rich and humorous history that has captivated sports fans since its inception in 1892. Named after Lord Stanley of Preston, who donated the trophy, it has become the ultimate goal for NHL players, representing the pinnacle of achievement in the sport. Winning teams celebrate their victory in unique ways, often leading to entertaining and sometimes questionable situations involving the Cup. For instance, after the Montreal Canadiens won the trophy in 1924, they accidentally left it on the side of the road while pushing their stalled car up a hill. Such incidents are not uncommon, as players are eager to commemorate their triumphs with the trophy, leading to memorable moments and mishaps, including the infamous case of the Pittsburgh Penguins celebrating in a swimming pool, despite the handlers' insistence that the Cup should not get wet.

The Stanley Cup's journey extends beyond the ice, as it has traveled around the world, visiting numerous countries and engaging with fans globally. Handled by a dedicated team known as the “Keeper of the Cup,” the trophy has become a beloved icon, often attracting the attention of fans wherever it goes. Each winning player's name is etched onto the trophy, creating a permanent record of their achievement. However, with such a storied history, some humorous errors have occurred, such as spelling mistakes on the engraved bands. As players take their turn with the Cup, they have used their time for various celebrations, including unique traditions like baptisms. The trophy continues to be a cherished symbol of hockey greatness, with the Montreal Canadiens holding the record for the most wins, while the legacy and stories surrounding the Stanley Cup continue to grow with each passing year.

TruthLens AI Analysis

The article highlights the fascinating and sometimes humorous history of the Stanley Cup, a prestigious trophy in professional hockey. By recounting anecdotes from its past, it underscores the cultural significance of the Cup within the sport and the traditions that accompany its celebration.

Historical Significance

The Stanley Cup, established in the late 19th century, embodies the spirit of competition and achievement in hockey. The narrative emphasizes its roots, linking it to Lord Stanley of Preston and reflecting on how it has become a symbol of excellence in the NHL. The historical context provided not only enriches the reader's understanding but also stirs a sense of nostalgia and reverence for the sport.

Cultural Anecdotes

The article presents light-hearted stories, such as the Montreal Canadiens inadvertently leaving the trophy behind due to a car malfunction. These anecdotes serve to humanize the players and the trophy itself, making the article more relatable and entertaining. By sharing these quirky experiences, it aims to engage a broader audience who may not be hardcore hockey fans but appreciate sports culture.

Public Perception and Engagement

The narrative fosters a sense of community among hockey fans and players, encouraging them to connect over shared traditions and experiences associated with the Cup. It suggests that the trophy is not merely an award but part of a larger cultural phenomenon that includes celebrations and personal stories. This approach can enhance public interest and participation in hockey, potentially leading to increased viewership and engagement with the sport.

Intent and Transparency

While the article entertains and informs, it does not appear to conceal any significant information or manipulate public perception in a harmful way. Instead, it promotes a positive image of hockey and its traditions. The light-hearted tone and focus on community and celebration suggest an intent to uplift and engage rather than to mislead.

Reliability and Trustworthiness

The piece draws on historical events and personal testimonies from individuals associated with the trophy, such as the Keepers of the Cup. These elements lend credibility to the narrative, making it more reliable. The overall tone is consistent with sports journalism that seeks to celebrate achievements while also acknowledging the humorous moments that arise in sports.

In conclusion, the article serves as both a tribute to the Stanley Cup and an invitation for readers to appreciate the sport's culture. The engaging storytelling and light-hearted examples contribute to its effectiveness in communicating the significance of this iconic trophy in hockey.

Unanalyzed Article Content

Source URL: https://www.cnn.com/interactive/2025/06/04/sport/stanley-cup-nhl-history-spt/

By Ben Church, Agne Jurkenaite, Marco Chacon and Alicia Johnson

Published: Jun 4, 2025

(CNN) — It’s one of the most recognizable trophies in sports, with a history dating back to the 19th century, so it’s no surprise that the Stanley Cup has a story or two to tell.

Named after Lord Stanley of Preston, a Canadian governor general who donated the first Cup back in 1892, the trophy is awarded to the NHL champions every year.

It is, and always has been, the pinnacle of the sport and something players dedicate their entire lives to winning.

With that being the case, it’s perhaps predictable that those who manage to get their hands on the trophy are keen to celebrate, especially since it is tradition that every player of the winning squad gets to spend an entire day with the prized silverware.

Problem is, that’s left the poor old Stanley Cup in some unusual situations. CNN Sports looks at some of the most bizarre predicaments it’s ended up in.

Montreal Canadiens

In almost cartoon-like fashion, the Montreal Canadiens left the trophy on the side of the road after winning it in 1924. The story goes that a car carrying some of the team had stalled going up a hill, meaning players had to get out to push. It wasn’t until they reached the top that they realized they had left one of the most famous trophies in the world behind!

Prized possession

The Stanley Cup is looked after by a team of people with the title of “Keeper of the Cup.” These people travel with the trophy, keeping it clean and, more importantly, safe. At least one member of the team is always with the trophy when it's in public. “We get called different things too. People have fun with it. They call us Cup keepers, Cup dudes, Cup guys. You know, handlers is all kinds of terms, but in essence, we're basically babysitting the Cup,” Howie Burrow, Keeper of the Cup, told CNN Sports.

Edmonton Oilers

It’s only natural that players want to party after finally getting their hands on the trophy and that seemed to be the case with the Edmonton Oilers following the magical final series in 1987, where the Oilers blew a 3-1 series lead, but managed to pull off the win in Game 7 against the Philadelphia Flyers. Led by Mark Messier, both on and off the ice, the Oilers reportedly went partying to celebrate and accidentally damaged the Stanley Cup over the course of the night, requiring repairs before being returned.

Global tour

The Stanley Cup has traveled to dozens of countries around the world, including places such as Afghanistan, Japan, Scotland and the UAE. It doesn’t get a first-class seat, though. Instead, it flies underneath the airplane in a very secure box. “When I'm getting my boarding passes, I'll open it up to show whoever's checking me in, but soon as I do that, there's usually about a dozen people in the other lines going, ‘Oh my God, that's a Stanley Cup. Can I get a photo? Can I touch it?’” Burrow told CNN.

Pittsburgh Penguins

One thing the trophy’s handlers insist on is that the Cup shouldn’t get wet – although that didn’t stop the Pittsburgh Penguins. Now legendary photos show the team celebrating with the trophy in Canadian star Mario Lemieux’s swimming pool. Luckily, though, it seems like the trophy floated.

All shapes and sizes

The Stanley Cup we see today has been the same shape since 1948, but it hasn’t always looked the same. The first ever iteration of the trophy, back in 1892, was just a bowl and was called the Dominion Hockey Challenge Cup. Over the years, more tiers have been added to it and now the Cup stands at 35.25 inches and weighs 34.5 pounds. “If you have to hang on to it for a long time and say, you have to walk a block or two because you're following somebody, it does get heavy. You're switching arms, or you got to put it down. You can work up a good sweat. But when the players first win it, right after on the ice, I mean, I'm sure it weighs hardly anything to them,” Burrow said to CNN.

New York Rangers

It seems even animals can enjoy the “People’s trophy.” In 1994, a photo was taken of Kentucky Derby winner Go For Gin eating out of the trophy while at New York’s Belmont Park. New York Rangers star Eddie Olczyk was rumored to be behind the stunt, but he’s since denied responsibility.

Etched into history

Each player of the winning team has their name etched into a band which is then placed onto the trophy – with older bands being retired through the years. Given the number of winners, it’s not surprising that a few spelling mistakes have creeped onto the prestigious Cup.

Detroit Red Wings

What’s the worst thing you could imagine happening to – or in – the Stanley Cup? Well, this might be it. When Kris Draper had his day with the trophy, he celebrated by putting his baby daughter in the Cup for a photo. Only she left behind a little surprise… by using the legendary trophy as a toilet.

Summer tour

Since 1995, every player who wins the Stanley Cup is allowed a day to celebrate with it – sometimes two – in any way they deem fit. The trophy is then returned to NHL trustees before the new season, meaning every team bids to win the prestigious trophy again.

Pittsburgh Penguins

Forward Josh Archibald got creative and used his time with the Cup to baptize his son. Three-week-old Brecken was photographed receiving his blessing while sitting in the bowl at the top of the trophy. Quite the experience for someone not even a month out in the world.

Record winners

No team in history has gotten its hands on the Stanley Cup more than the Montreal Canadiens. The Habs have won it 24 times, including a record five-in-a-row from 1956 to 1960. The franchise's first win came in 1916 – before the NHL even ran the tournament. The Canadiens haven't won it since 1993, though, and last reached the final in 2021.

Washington Capitals

In 2018, Capitals defenseman Dmitry Orlov decided to celebrate with the trophy in his hometown, the southwestern Siberian city of Novokuznetsk. The Cup had to take a myriad of connecting flights to reach the destination and you can probably guess what happened. The trophy missed one of its flights and was left behind in Moscow. A helicopter was chartered in order to reclaim it quickly!

Writer:Ben Church

Designer:Alicia Johnson

Motion designer:Agne Jurkenaite

Developer:Marco Chacon

Visual Editor:Mark Oliver

Editor:Patrick Sung

Photo credits for trophy:Daniel Shirey/Getty Images

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Source: CNN