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)
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Montreal Canadiens – 24 titles
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Toronto Maple Leafs – 13 titles
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Detroit Red Wings – 11 titles
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Boston Bruins – 6 titles
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Chicago Blackhawks – 6 titles
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Edmonton Oilers – 5 titles
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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.
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