Stanley Cup – The Trophy

[Thor]

Rumor has it that the 2004 Stanley Cup Champions will be the last to have their names engraved in the present trophy. The bottom ring of the Cup will then be full and the trophy retired.

Is this a fact? If so, what will happen next? Has a new design been presented?

[Thor]

And while we are at it, what is the true story of the present Stanley Cup?

I have read several versions that all involve a Danish silversmith, Carl Petersen. One version tells that he designed the present Stanley Cup in the 1920s. Another story goes that Carl Petersen in the 1940s added the silver bands to the bottom of the original bowl. According to a third version NHL in 1948 selected Carl Petersen as the official engraver of names. Finally, a fourth version tells that Carl Petersen made the replica that replaced the original bowl on the top in the early 1960s (a fact that NHL did not reveal until three years later).

Carl Poul Petersen (1895-1977) worked in Copenhagen at the Georg Jensen silversmith until 1929. He then moved to Montreal and opened his own silversmith shop, CP Petersen & Sons. It was closed in 1979.

Since Mr. Petersen did not move to Canada until 1929, I guess he did not design the trophy in the 1920s. But what about the other versions? What is the true story of the present Stanley Cup?

[MarmotMike]

My understanding is that the bands/rings are removed and officially retired to the Hockey Hall of Fame whenever they are full. The cup is remounted on new bands/rings. Retirement of the entire trophy for something new would be sacriledge!!!

I'm not sure but I'll look into your silversmith story.

[Thor]

Thanks Mike,
Yes, replacements of the bands. That's what it says at Hockey Hall of Fame (I found this page this morning): www.legendsofhockey.net/html/silver_splashstanleycup.htm

I asked the question yesterday because the rumor was supposed to be from an authoritative source. Meanwhile, I found out that the source is a Swedish hockey journalist, Tobias Jansson, who has the story in a weekly Swedish hockey magazine, Hockeynews.

It is the same article that claims that Carl Petersen designed the Stanley Cup in the 1920s. Perhaps the journalist got his information wrong in both cases.

On the other hand, the Swedish Hockeynews is supposed to be quite trustworthy. Perhaps Balder, diddi or Behind have an opinion on this?

[sammy]

Found an interesting article on the Cup and thought you would like to see it.

www.geocities.com/szczepanczyk/stanley.html

[Thor]

Gosh, what that trophy went through.. Kicking it across a canal..

No wonder they decided to replace the original bowl and keep it locked up.

[aj]

It was into the canal.

[aj]

Actually, onto the canal might be more appropriate, as I think it was frozen at the time.

There are some great stories about the Cup, aren't there?

[SensFanForever]

Great Story...

Wow.. that cup has been though quite a bit to say the least. Sounds like the players do have fun with it, although can you imagine the feeling of winning it and taking it homewith you even if it is only for a day.

[NyQuil]

If you go to the Hockey Hall of Fame, there are expired bands presented behind glass within the vault of the trophy room.