The Stanley Cup: Pinnacle of Hockey Achievement


Defined Tag: Sports Trophy.

Several sports have a pinnacle moment or award that signifies the best of the best, the most excellent of the excellent, the cream of the crop. In hockey, the National Hockey League (NHL) has the Stanley Cup. The Stanley Cup has a rich tradition dating back to the late 1800's, and stories abound about what teams have done with the cup while it's been in their possession.

Winning the Stanley Cup says that a hockey team is the best amongst all the teams that play in this league. This sports trophy has been awarded annually since 1893 with only two exceptions. The most recent of which was the labor clash of 2005.

Before the teams can get to the finals to try to win this trophy they must first when their division. Since 1924 the Eastern Conference champions have been awarded the Prince of Wales trophy. While the Western Conference champions win the Clarence S. Campbell Bowl. The team that wins the most points is also awarded a sports trophy. That one is called the President’s Trophy and is relatively new to the award process having first been given in 1986.

As well the individual team members may win an award based on their year’s accomplishments. The oldest of these, the Hart Memorial Trophy first given in 1924, is for the player deemed to be the most valuable to the team they play for. Wayne Gretsky won this trophy a record nine times.

There are seventeen further trophies that can be won by players in the National Hockey League one of which can be won by not just players but others involved in the game including coaches, referees and other officials. This is the Lester Patrick Trophy first given out in 1966. The most recent sports trophy added to the roster of awards is the Roger Crozier Saving Grace Award which is given to a goalie who has played at least twenty five games during the regular season, before the playoffs begin, and has a high save rate.

Although hockey players are rewarded by their high salaries and the love of their fans winning a sports trophy is a big deal for them as they are judged by not only their peers, but those who write about the game as well. Many of the awards are voted on by the Professional Hockey Writers' Association.

The pinnacle of hockey excellence is the Stanly Cup, and the winning team retains possession of this magnificent trophy until it is awarded to a new team in one year.