How many Stanley Cups are there? | Stanley Cup Count!
Step onto the icy battleground where champions rise, records shatter, and legends etch their names in history. In the thrilling world of ice hockey, one trophy reigns supreme: the Stanley Cup. Delve into the hall of fame grandeur, the glory, and the astonishing tales that have forged the greatest symbol of supremacy in the National Hockey League.
So, How many Stanley Cups are there? There are three iconic Stanley Cups. Firstly, the Dominion Challenge Cup, the original bowl donated by Lord Stanley and retired in 1960. Secondly, the Presentation Cup, the one the players, joyfully skate around with. Lastly, we have the Hockey Hall of Fame Cup. These three cups represent the rich history, hockey Hall of Fame, and enduring legacy of the Stanley Cup in hockey.
(Stanley Cup Trophy Source: NHL)
Let’s dig out more about the number of Stanley Cups and their history.
Table of Contents
1. Original Dominion Cup
The Original Dominion Cup is the original Stanley Cup. Lord Frederick Arthur Stanley donated it himself in 1892. The teams winning the Stanley Cup were rewarded with this Cup until 1970. The Montreal Amateur Athletic Association was the first team to receive this Cup in 1893.
This original Cup is like a large bowl that stands on a wooden stand. In the beginning, it had only one ring base. Later the teams that won the Cup would add more rings.
After 1970, the officials and the trustees of the Cup determined it was becoming increasingly weak and brittle. So, its replica was made for future use. Today, this original Cup is in its original bowl in the trophy room vault at the Hockey Hall of Fame.
2. Presentation Cup
The Presentation Cup is a replica of the original Dominion Cup. Montreal silversmith Carl Petersen made this Cup in 1963 upon the request of NHL president Clarence Campbell. They made this copy because the original Cup had become thin and fragile.
The Presentation Cup is permanently in use today. The team that wins the Stanley Cup gets this Cup as an award. You can see the players carrying this presentation Cup around when they win the Stanley Cup finals. Players can also take this presentation cup Cup home with them for summer.
This Cup has a seal of the Hockey Hall of Fame on its bottom. There are also some errors on this Cup which have not been corrected.
3. Hockey Hall of Fame Cup
The Hockey Hall of Fame Cup is the presentation cup of the third Stanley Cup and another replica of the original Cup. The Presentation Cup travels across the world. For example, this Cup is at the place of the players who won this Cup in the summer. It is also there in the Stanley Cup finals and the parades. So, it is impossible to keep this Cup all the time in the Hockey Hall of Fame.
To keep a permanent cup there in the Hockey Hall of Fame, this second replica was made in 1983. The name of this Cup is the Hockey Hall of Fame Cup because the sole duty of this Cup is to be there in the Hockey Hall of Fame when the Presentation Cup is traveling to different locations.
All the errors present in the original bowl of the Presentation Cup are fixed in this Cup. And might I say, it is a beautiful copy permanently kept in the permanent cup in the Hall of Fame?
Frequently Asked Questions
Do teams get a copy of the Stanley Cup?
The critical question is, do the winning teams get some copy of the Stanley Cup? The answer is no. There are only three copies of the Stanley Cups, and none other than these three are made. In sports like MLB, NBA, and the NFL, the teams get a copy of their trophy, but there is no such rule in the NHL.
The teams can take the Stanley Cup with them to celebrate during the summer of the regular season, but they have to return the Cup to the trustees when the next regular season part of the game starts.
Is the Stanley Cup made of pure silver?
While the original Stanley Cups was made entirely of silver, the current trophy combines silver and nickel alloy.
Can fans touch the Stanley Cup?
Fans cannot touch the original Stanley Cup, which is preserved and protected. However, replicas of the Cup are often available for fans to interact with during public events.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Stanley Cup holds a cherished place in the hearts of hockey enthusiasts worldwide. From its humble beginnings to its status as the ultimate prize in professional hockey, this legendary trophy represents the pursuit of excellence, the triumph of teamwork, and the indomitable spirit of the game.
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