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The Stanley Cup, oldest trophy competed for by professional athletes in North America, was
donated in 1892 by Sir Frederick Arthur, Lord Stanley of Preston and son of the Earl of Derby.
He purchased the trophy for 10 Guineas ($50.00 at that time) to be presented to "the championship
hockey club of the Dominion of Canada."
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Toronto GM/coach Punch Imlach savors the moment (1962-63 season). The chalkboard says: "No Practice Tomorrow."
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Since 1910, when the National Hockey Association took possession of the Stanley Cup, the
trophy has been symbolic of professional hockey supremacy and has been competed for only
by NHL teams since 1926.
In 1946, the NHL took exclusive control of the Stanley Cup and there have been numerous
alterations to the Cup structure. Because the Cup is the only professional sports trophy
where the name of every member of the winning team is inscribed, bands are often retired
to make room for new champions. Retired bands, along with the original Stanley Cup bowl,
are proudly displayed in Lord Stanley's Vault in the WorldCom Great Hall.
COLORADO AVALANCHE
The 2001 Stanley Cup championship squared off the two conference's top teams,
the defending champion New Jersey Devils versus the Presidents Cup-winning
Colorado Avalanche. The series went the full distance, with Colorado winning
Game 7 in a thrilling 3-1 contest. Av's goalie Patrick Roy won his third MVP
trophy and defenseman Ray Bourque finally raised Lord Stanley's chalice in
victory capping a remarkable 22-year NHL career.
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