The history behind the Cup

By Josie Lemieux Sports Central Columnist

An excellent reference for all Stanley Cup and ice hockey fans is "The Official National Hockey League Stanley Cup Centennial Book" by Dan Diamond. It is considered one of the official NHL chronicles.

Such interesting documents deal with the obvious. They present, reiterate, and glorify the obvious -- because the obvious is what people need to be told.

Here are some of the interesting facts presented in the book.

Lord Stanley of Preston, Count of Derby: Other names given to Lord Stanley, who came from England to be the sixth Governor General of Canada in 1888.

Ottawa Athletes Association Dinner: Event which took place on March 18th, 1892, where Governor Stanley proposed a Cup for the first time by reading a letter excerpt sent previously to his aide:

"I propose to create a trophy to honor the Dominion's (league's) best team. I am aware that a real championship does not exist for the moment. Hockey games presently evoke a major interest. Therefore, if I consider this interest and based on the fact that games must be played according to specific rules, I am ready to donate a Cup which will be given to the champions each year."

Rebels: Hockey team formed of Lord Stanley, his seven sons, and his personnel. Hockey games were played near the Governor's home. State debates were often interrupted by those hockey games, considered as the most effective place to work out political issues.

$48.67 (Canadian Dollars): Amount paid by Lord Stanley to obtain the modest pinkish Cup.

Amateur Hockey Association: First league of teams who competed against other competitive leagues in Canada (West Provinces, the Maritimes, and Ontario).

National Hockey Association: Ancestor of the National Hockey League, founded in 1910.

National Hockey League: Current League, founded in 1917.

Snow: What was prayed for every year in order to play hockey games.

End of December Until March: Period of year all playoffs were played.

Ice Boards: The part of the rink which was not existing at the time. If a player was pushed out of the ice limits, he was kicked by fans and ordered to go back.

Fans Throwing Objects on the Ice and Also to Players: Allowed.

Fans Insulting Referees: Allowed.

Players Attempting to Injure With a Stick: Allowed.

A Police Officer: Was in charge of giving a discipline lecture to all players serving a penalty.

Protective Equipment Worn by Players: None.

Saturday Night: Day of the week hockey games were played.

The Montreal Gazette: This newspaper published the Stanley Cup donation act, on February 2nd, 1894.

Buckingham Palace and the Royal Family: Regular opponents to Lord Stanley's hockey team after returning to England in 1895. The British interest for hockey was also brought by Lord Stanley: Edward VII and Queen Alexandra in 1904, King George VI in 1914, and Queen Elizabeth in 1951. All made special arrangements, cancelled events, and even brought other royal guests to watch hockey games in Canada as well in Great Britain.

Skating Backwards: Skating technique made by F.W. Stanley (one of Lord's seven sons) while playing against Buckingham Palace in 1895, which amazed the royal opponents.

Montreal AAA: First team to have its name inscribed on the Stanley Cup in 1893.

Dominon Challenge Cup, From Stanley of Preston: Inscriptions on the original Cup.

Hey-Hey-Ho, Rah-Rah-Rah: Enthusiastic fan screams heard during all hockey games.

Ribbons: Brought by female spectators, a fashion well appreciated by the crowd for its "colorful manifestation." Ribbons color were those of the teams.

And for the numbers...

2: Number of administrators in charge of supervising all Cup competitions. The administrators were appointed by Lord Stanley, to establish the rules. If a team contested the champion, the administrators had two choices: give the Cup anyway, or keep the Cup, their decision being irreversible.

5: Number of teams in the Dominion League until it became the National Hockey Association: Ottawa, Quebec and three teams in Montreal: the AAA (Amateur Athletes Association), the Crystals, and the Victorias.

1969: Year when the original Stanley Cup bowl took its spot at the Toronto Hockey Hall of Fame and was replaced by a copy. The original Cup was becoming too fragile.

2 out of 3: Number of games which determined the Stanley Cup Champion during the playoffs.

30 Minutes: Duration of the two periods in each game.

6: Number of players in each team: two defensemen, a right-winger, a left-winger, a center, and a substitute (also called a marauder, instructed to replace an injured player).

1.8 meters:: Distance between the two goal posts. There was no net at the time.

$0.25: The price for a last-minute hockey game ticket in 1895.

$1: The price for a hockey game reserved seat in 1895.

0: Number of Cup championships Lord Stanley attended. Although he actually brought the Cup in Canada, he had to get back to England in 1893 (his family got back in 1894) to assist his family after his brother's death.

Article courtesy of Sports Central.