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(and hockey's other trophies)

There is one prize in the sporting world that makes all other trophies pale in comparison. It is not only the coveted Holy Grail for millions of people, but also a time-standing, historic element which embodies hope, pride, and dreams. It has been to far-off places. People have waited in long lines for a simple glimpse of it's reflective surface. It has bodyguards and constant security. The names of legends are forever imprinted on it's surface. I refer to the one and only: Stanley Cup.

Frederick Arthur, Lord Stanley of Preston is the namesake of the hallowed trophy. The Stanley Cup can be traced back to a man who was both Prime Minister of the United Kingdom THREE time and an original hockey dad. After his career in Parliament and Secretary of State for the British Colonies, he was appointed Governor-general of Canada in 1888. He was an avid winter sports lover and sponsored the Dominion Hockey Challenge Cup, which eventually became known as the Stanley Cup. The original silver bowl was purchased in London for around $50. It was first awarded in 1893 to an amateur team from from any league who challenged for it. By 1910, the trophy had become a professional team award and in 1914 the NHA (now called the NHL) built a formal playoff system around it. The first American team to win the cup was Seattle of the PCHA who beat the NHA Montreal team in 1917. In 1926, a young NHL made the Stanley Cup their championship trophy exclusively.

Ironically, Lord Stanley never saw his cup awarded to any team. He moved back to England before it was ever presented in 1893.

 

NHL Trophies

Hart Memorial Trophy: Given to the player deemed "Most Valuable Player to his Team". The most Hart's were awarded to Wayne Gretzky with 9. The Hart Trophy was donated to the NHL in 1923 by David A. Hart, whose son, Cecil, became coach of the Montreal Canadiens in 1926-27. and later became their general manager.

Art Ross Trophy: This goes to the scoring champion and is one of the few major awards based on statistics the Richard and Jennings trophies being the others). Again, Wayne seems to be the man, winning it 10 times. Art Ross, formerly the manager/coach of the Boston Bruins, presented this award to the NHL in 1947.

Vezina Trophy: This is perhaps my favorite, being presented to the top goaltender and named in honor of the Canadiens' Georges Vezina, one of the games finest goaltenders, who collapsed during a game in 1925 and died of tuberculosis a few months later. It was given to the NHL in 1926-27 by the owners of Montreal.

James Norris Memorial Trophy: This is awarded to the top defenseman. This award was introduced in 1953 by the four children of James Norris, who owned the Detroit Red Wings. It's list of winners is surprisingly short with names like Bobby Orr, Doug Harvey, Tom Johnson, Ray Bourque, Paul Coffey, and Chris Chelios to name a few.

Lady Byng Memorial Trophy: The Lady Byng is presented to the player who exhibits "The best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of play". This is a hard one to get in a sport where roughness dominates. It was donated by Lady Byng herself (who had to present another after giving it to Frank Boucher to keep after winning the award a record seven times in his first 8 seasons). It is also the last trophy won by The Great One.

Jack Adams Trophy: Awarded to the top coach.

Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy: Awarded to the leading goal scorer in the league each season.