Who won the first Stanley Cup in 1893? Get to know the team that lifted North America's oldest trophy in franchise sports

The Stanley Cup is the oldest and most prestigious trophy in North American professional sports. The Cup is awarded annually to the champion of the National Hockey League (NHL). Its history dates back to 1893 when it was first awarded to the top amateur ice hockey team in Canada.

The first team to win the Stanley Cup was the Montreal Amateur Athletic Association (MAAA) in 1893.

The Cup was donated by Lord Stanley of Preston, the governor general of Canada, as a challenge cup to be awarded to the top amateur hockey team in Canada. The Cup was awarded to the MAAA after the team defeated the Montreal Victorias in a two-game series.

The MAAA team was founded in 1881. The team was captained by James A. Stewart and included players such as Jack Armytage, Graham Drinkwater, and J.J. Hennessey.

More about Stanley Cup Final played in 1893

The Stanley Cup Final in 1893 was a two-game series played at the Victoria Skating Rink in Montreal. The MAAA won the first game by a score of 3-1, with goals from Hennessey, Armytage, and M.J. MacKay. The Victorias won the second game 5-1, but the MAAA won the series 4-3 on total goals scored.

At this time, the Cup was not yet the symbol of hockey supremacy that it is known as today. Instead, it was just another trophy that amateur hockey teams could compete for. The MAAA defended the Cup against challengers for the next two years, until the Montreal Victorias won it in 1895.

Over the years, the Cup has become an iconic symbol of hockey greatness, with the names of the winning teams and players engraved on its silver surface. The Cup has been awarded to the top professional hockey team in North America since 1926, but its history as a challenge cup for amateur teams is an important part of its legacy.