The Stanley Cup is the most prestigious trophy in professional ice hockey, awarded annually to the playoff champion of the National Hockey League (NHL). Donated in 1892 by Lord Stanley of Preston, then Governor General of Canada, it is North America’s oldest professional sports trophy and a symbol of hockey greatness.
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History
Originally named the Dominion Hockey Challenge Cup, it was first awarded to amateur clubs. But by the early 20th century, professional teams began to dominate. In 1913, a historic agreement between the National Hockey Association (NHA) and the Pacific Coast Hockey Association (PCHA) set the stage for the Cup to be awarded through an annual series between league champions. Following league mergers, the NHL became the sole custodian of the Cup by 1926, with official recognition as the league’s championship prize coming in 1947.
From 1915 to the end of the 2024- 25 season, the Stanley Cup has been awarded 109 times. A total of 27 teams have lifted the trophy- 22 of them are still active in the NHL. The Montreal Canadiens remain the most successful franchise, with 24 Stanley Cup wins. The Cup was not awarded only twice- in 1919 due to the Spanish flu and in 2005 due to the NHL lockout.
The Florida Panthers are the most recent champions, winning back-to-back titles in 2024 and 2025.
Top Stanley Cup Winners (By Number of Titles)
Montreal Canadiens – 24 titles
Toronto Maple Leafs – 13 titles
Detroit Red Wings – 11 titles
Boston Bruins – 6 titles
Chicago Blackhawks – 6 titles
Edmonton Oilers – 5 titles
Pittsburgh Penguins – 5 titles
Complete List of Stanley Cup Winners (1893–2025)
Year(s)
Winner
1893
Montreal AAA
1894
Montreal HC
1895–1898
Montreal Victorias
1899–1900
Montreal Shamrocks
1901
Winnipeg Victorias
1902
Montreal HC
1903–1905
Ottawa Silver Seven
1906–1908
Montreal Wanderers
1909
Ottawa Senators
1910
Montreal Wanderers
1911
Ottawa Senators
1912–1913
Quebec Bulldogs
1914
Toronto Blueshirts
1915
Vancouver Millionaires
1916
Montreal Canadiens
1917
Seattle Metropolitans
1918
Toronto Arenas
1919
Not awarded – Spanish flu
1920–1921, 1923
Ottawa Senators
1922
Toronto St. Patricks
1924
Montreal Canadiens
1925
Victoria Cougars
1926
Montreal Maroons
1927
Ottawa Senators
1928
New York Rangers
1929
Boston Bruins
1930–1931
Montreal Canadiens
1932
Toronto Maple Leafs
1933
New York Rangers
1934
Chicago Black Hawks
1935
Montreal Maroons
1936–1937
Detroit Red Wings
1938
Chicago Black Hawks
1939
Boston Bruins
1940
New York Rangers
1941
Boston Bruins
1942
Toronto Maple Leafs
1943
Detroit Red Wings
1944
Montreal Canadiens
1945
Toronto Maple Leafs
1946
Montreal Canadiens
1947–1949
Toronto Maple Leafs
1950, 1952, 1954
Detroit Red Wings
1951, 1955
Toronto Maple Leafs
1953, 1956–1960
Montreal Canadiens
1961
Chicago Black Hawks
1962–1964, 1967
Toronto Maple Leafs
1965–1966, 1968–1969
Montreal Canadiens
1970, 1972
Boston Bruins
1971, 1973, 1976–1979
Montreal Canadiens
1974–1975
Philadelphia Flyers
1980–1983
New York Islanders
1984–1985, 1987–1988, 1990
Edmonton Oilers
1986, 1993
Montreal Canadiens
1989
Calgary Flames
1991–1992
Pittsburgh Penguins
1994
New York Rangers
1995, 2000, 2003
New Jersey Devils
1996, 2001
Colorado Avalanche
1997–1998, 2002
Detroit Red Wings
1999
Dallas Stars
2004
Tampa Bay Lightning
2005
Not awarded – Lockout
2006
Carolina Hurricanes
2007
Anaheim Ducks
2008
Detroit Red Wings
2009
Pittsburgh Penguins
2010, 2013, 2015
Chicago Blackhawks
2011
Boston Bruins
2012, 2014
Los Angeles Kings
2016–2017
Pittsburgh Penguins
2018
Washington Capitals
2019
St. Louis Blues
2020–2021
Tampa Bay Lightning
2022
Colorado Avalanche
2023
Vegas Golden Knights
2024–2025
Florida Panthers
Conclusion
The Stanley Cup is more than just a trophy; it is a symbol of hockey’s legacy, tradition, and excellence. So, with a history of more than a century, the cup celebrates the grit, glory, and determination of every team that has earned it.Â
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