
Congratulations
to this year's Stanley Cup Winners

It's
for the Stanley Cup that the players fight, season after
season. And it's of the Stanley Cup that all hockey players
dream, from childhood onwards. The Cup, symbol of excellence
in the world of hockey, owes its name to Lord Stanley of
Preston, Governor General of Canada. In 1892, he bought
a small gold-plated silver bowl from a London silversmith,
for $50. The bowl was awarded to the best hockey team in
Canada.
Today, the original trophy is a museum exhibit, but every
year its replica is awarded to the best professional team
in the league. Today, it bears the names of the privileged
few who have realized their greatest dream. Some outstanding
players have held this coveted prize more than once, while
others, equally talented, have never won it.
The Stanley Cup is more than 100 years old, and despite
the great moments of glory it provides for the winners,
and despite their pride in raising it triumphantly above
their heads, some players have had embarrasing experiences
with this prestigious trophy.