The Stanley Cup has a long and rich history as well as many fascinating moments over the years. Quite frankly, it’s been through a lot. Whether you’re rooting for the Rangers or the Kings to win Lord Stanley’s Cup, chances are if you’re a hockey fan, you’re going to be glued to the television come Friday night for game four of the playoffs. There is a pretty good chance the Kings are going to end the series. Let’s take a look at some rather interesting moments with the Stanley Cup.
First we’ll go back 120 years to the birth of the cup. The governor of Canada, Lord Stanley of Preston, bought the cup to distribute as an award to the top Canadian hockey team. Little known fact? This highly esteemed trophy was originally a punch bowl! Maybe that explains why some of the players have turned the cup into a giant cup of booze after a win, and proceed to get plastered. Perhaps most notably the notorious Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins; though it has definitely become a tradition among all the victors. Luckily, Lord Stanley had the cup engraved and decorated to have a more appropriate look for a trophy of such high esteem.
In one of the most fascinating moments in Stanley Cup history, and there have been quite a few, the Toronto Maple Leafs used the cup as wood to fuel the bonfire they had created to celebrate their win. Yes, you read that correctly. Unfortunately the cup was severely damaged and the team was made to pay a hefty fine. Oddly, this isn’t the only time the cup has come into contact with fire. After a win by the New York Rangers in 1941, Lord Stanley’s Cup was mistakenly set aflame when the mortgage to the newly paid off Madison Square Gardens was being lit in celebration. It’s okay though. They quickly realized their mistake and doused the flames by peeing on it. Good team effort, guys.
Strangely enough, the cup has taken a few dunks in the pool over the years. Apparently, it’s a tradition among the victors to toss the trophy into the pool to see if it will float. Maybe some of them thought the cup needed some cooling down after how many times its been lit on fire? It should go without saying, though, that the giant hunk of silver quickly made its way to the bottom of the pool on each and every occasion. It was reported that in 1999 a Stars player trying out this very serious experiment missed the pool entirely, resulting in a huge dent still that’s still present on the trophy today.
Let’s be honest. We’re all a little jealous of how many times the Canadians have won the cup. In fact, it’s a bit annoying. Here’s something that might make you feel a bit better. In 1924 after one of their earlier wins, the team had to pull to the side of the road when they got a flat. The tire was easily replaced and they went along their merry way to celebrate. Problem was, they left the trophy on the side of the road. Maybe they just got tired of hauling the thing around so much? This is probably another one of those cases where the cup was used as a big shot glass after the win. Really though, how do you forget the Stanley Cup on the side of the road?
These are just a few of most fascinating moments in Stanley Cup history. There are sure to be more, probably even this year. It is one of the greatest achievements in sports, and is celebrated by all teams in truly bizarre and delightful ways. Hopefully Lord Stanley’s Cup stays safe in years to come, and we have even more great moments to share.
By: Lauren DiDonato
