The Stanley Cup, the championship trophy awarded annually to the National Hockey League (NHL) playoffs champion, is the oldest existing trophy in North American professional sports. Initially commissioned in 1892 as the Dominion Hockey Challenge Cup, it was named after ex-Governor General of Canada Lord Stanley of Preston, who donated it as an award to Canada's top amateur ice hockey club. Moreover, its significance expanded as professional teams became eligible to compete for it in 1906.
Throughout its history, the Stanley Cup has been awarded a combined 108 times, as of April 2025, to 22 current NHL teams and five teams no longer in existence. The Stanley Cup stands as a timeless symbol of hockey excellence with over three thousand names engraved on it, including over thirteen hundred players.
Also Read: NHL coaches with multiple Stanley Cup appearances
Stanley Cup Trophy Actual Size
The Stanley Cup trophy weighs 34.5 pounds and stands 35.25 inches tall, according to the NHL's website. It was initially only 7.28 inches tall.
Unlike other sports trophies, a new Stanley Cup is not made every year. The winning teams have possession of it during the summer and for a limited time during the new season. Engravings of winning team members' names adorn its bands, a tradition dating back to 1924. The Cup has a "24/7 bodyguard," Phil Pritchard, known as the Keeper of the Cup, who ensures its safety while traveling. While there is no permanent owner, the Cup resides in the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto when not on the road.
How much is Stanley Cup worth?
The original Stanley Cup, which was donated by Sir Frederick Arthur Stanley in 1892, was purchased for 10 guineas ($48 at the time) and has since become a symbol of professional hockey supremacy. Based on the value of the materials it is made of, primarily silver, and considering its craftsmanship and historical significance, experts have estimated its approximate value to be over $23,000, according to The Hockey Writers.
Who has won the most Stanley Cups?
The Montreal Canadiens holds the record for the most Stanley Cup victories, with a total of 24 wins in the history of the NHL. The Toronto Maple Leafs follow closely behind with 13 wins, while the Detroit Red Wings have won the trophy 11 times.
FAQs on Stanley Cup
A. The Stanley Cup trophy stands 35.25 inches tall and weighs 34.5 pounds, as per NHL standards.
A. No, unlike other trophies, the Stanley Cup is not remade annually. The winning teams possess it during the summer and for a part of the season.
A. Phil Pritchard, known as the Keeper of the Cup, ensures the Stanley Cup's safety as a "24/7 bodyguard" while it is on the road.
A. The Stanley Cup resides in the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto, Canada when not on the road.
A. Experts estimate the Stanley Cup's worth to be over $23,000, considering its historical significance and material value, primarily silver.
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