Latest news with #oftheCup
CNN
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- CNN
Stanley Cup: The storied, sometimes questionable and funny, history of one of sports' greatest trophies
(CNN) — It's one of the most recognizable trophies in sports, with a history dating back to the 19th century, so it's no surprise that the Stanley Cup has a story or two to tell. Named after Lord Stanley of Preston, a Canadian governor general who donated the first Cup back in 1892, the trophy is awarded to the NHL champions every year. It is, and always has been, the pinnacle of the sport and something players dedicate their entire lives to winning. With that being the case, it's perhaps predictable that those who manage to get their hands on the trophy are keen to celebrate, especially since it is tradition that every player of the winning squad gets to spend an entire day with the prized silverware. Problem is, that's left the poor old Stanley Cup in some unusual situations. CNN Sports looks at some of the most bizarre predicaments it's ended up in. Montreal Canadiens In almost cartoon-like fashion, the Montreal Canadiens left the trophy on the side of the road after winning it in 1924. The story goes that a car carrying some of the team had stalled going up a hill, meaning players had to get out to push. It wasn't until they reached the top that they realized they had left one of the most famous trophies in the world behind! Prized possession The Stanley Cup is looked after by a team of people with the title of 'Keeper of the Cup.' These people travel with the trophy, keeping it clean and, more importantly, safe. At least one member of the team is always with the trophy when it's in public. 'We get called different things too. People have fun with it. They call us Cup keepers, Cup dudes, Cup guys. You know, handlers is all kinds of terms, but in essence, we're basically babysitting the Cup,' Howie Burrow, Keeper of the Cup, told CNN Sports. Edmonton Oilers It's only natural that players want to party after finally getting their hands on the trophy and that seemed to be the case with the Edmonton Oilers following the magical final series in 1987, where the Oilers blew a 3-1 series lead, but managed to pull off the win in Game 7 against the Philadelphia Flyers. Led by Mark Messier, both on and off the ice, the Oilers reportedly went partying to celebrate and accidentally damaged the Stanley Cup over the course of the night, requiring repairs before being returned. Global tour The Stanley Cup has traveled to dozens of countries around the world, including places such as Afghanistan, Japan, Scotland and the UAE. It doesn't get a first-class seat, though. Instead, it flies underneath the airplane in a very secure box. 'When I'm getting my boarding passes, I'll open it up to show whoever's checking me in, but soon as I do that, there's usually about a dozen people in the other lines going, 'Oh my God, that's a Stanley Cup. Can I get a photo? Can I touch it?'' Burrow told CNN. Pittsburgh Penguins One thing the trophy's handlers insist on is that the Cup shouldn't get wet – although that didn't stop the Pittsburgh Penguins. Now legendary photos show the team celebrating with the trophy in Canadian star Mario Lemieux's swimming pool. Luckily, though, it seems like the trophy floated. All shapes and sizes The Stanley Cup we see today has been the same shape since 1948, but it hasn't always looked the same. The first ever iteration of the trophy, back in 1892, was just a bowl and was called the Dominion Hockey Challenge Cup. Over the years, more tiers have been added to it and now the Cup stands at 35.25 inches and weighs 34.5 pounds. 'If you have to hang on to it for a long time and say, you have to walk a block or two because you're following somebody, it does get heavy. You're switching arms, or you got to put it down. You can work up a good sweat. But when the players first win it, right after on the ice, I mean, I'm sure it weighs hardly anything to them,' Burrow said to CNN. New York Rangers It seems even animals can enjoy the 'People's trophy.' In 1994, a photo was taken of Kentucky Derby winner Go For Gin eating out of the trophy while at New York's Belmont Park. New York Rangers star Eddie Olczyk was rumored to be behind the stunt, but he's since denied responsibility. Etched into history Each player of the winning team has their name etched into a band which is then placed onto the trophy – with older bands being retired through the years. Given the number of winners, it's not surprising that a few spelling mistakes have creeped onto the prestigious Cup. Detroit Red Wings What's the worst thing you could imagine happening to – or in – the Stanley Cup? Well, this might be it. When Kris Draper had his day with the trophy, he celebrated by putting his baby daughter in the Cup for a photo. Only she left behind a little surprise… by using the legendary trophy as a toilet. Summer tour Since 1995, every player who wins the Stanley Cup is allowed a day to celebrate with it – sometimes two – in any way they deem fit. The trophy is then returned to NHL trustees before the new season, meaning every team bids to win the prestigious trophy again. Pittsburgh Penguins Forward Josh Archibald got creative and used his time with the Cup to baptize his son. Three-week-old Brecken was photographed receiving his blessing while sitting in the bowl at the top of the trophy. Quite the experience for someone not even a month out in the world. Record winners No team in history has gotten its hands on the Stanley Cup more than the Montreal Canadiens. The Habs have won it 24 times, including a record five-in-a-row from 1956 to 1960. The franchise's first win came in 1916 – before the NHL even ran the tournament. The Canadiens haven't won it since 1993, though, and last reached the final in 2021.
Daily Mirror
17-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Empty Premier League schedule explained after FA Cup agreement reached
Manchester City and Crystal Palace will face off at Wembley in the 2025 FA Cup final and the day will not feature any Premier League football before or after the game The big game today sees Manchester City take on Crystal Palace in the FA Cup final, but there is no Premier League action either side of the 4.30pm kick-off. It marks a change from previous years, but there's a good reason for it. There were two matches on Friday night, with Chelsea beating Manchester United and Aston Villa getting the better of Tottenham. We've got five more league games to come on Sunday and one on Monday, while City and Palace have midweek responsibilities following their Wembley exertions. On Saturday, though, it's a Premier League-free day. That's all down to an agreement aimed at preserving the "Magic of the Cup," allowing the final to take centre-stage. "The Emirates FA Cup is our biggest asset and generates over 60 per cent of our revenue to invest into the game, so it is critical to secure a strong format for the future," FA chief executive Mark Bullingham said in 2024 when the new agreement was reached. "This new agreement between the FA and the Premier League strengthens the Emirates FA Cup and gives this very special tournament exclusive weekends in an increasingly busy calendar. "The new schedule ensures the magic of the Cup is protected and enhanced, while working for the whole of the English game. The longer summer period also allows a much-needed player break before the start of the next season." It's not just the final which sits on a day free from Premier League action. Under the terms of the new deal, which runs for six seasons the fourth and fifth rounds are also free of top-flight football, as are the quarter-finals. The fifth round has also been moved back to the weekend. In recent seasons, it had been a full midweek programme of games. Finalists Palace and City have taken different routes to the final. Pep Guardiola's favourites have been forced to come from behind on three separate occasions, against Leyton Orient, Plymouth Argyle and Bournemouth, though things were easier against Forest in the semis after going ahead inside two minutes. Palace's run, meanwhile, has been built on defensive strength. Oliver Glasner's side have conceded just once during their entire run, against Millwall in round five, though they conceded five against City when the teams last met in the league. "We focused on what we want to do tomorrow at Wembley," Palace boss Oliver Glasner told reporters on Friday. "We analysed Manchester City, but 90% of the time we were talking about us - because this is what we can influence, we can influence our performance, we can influence what we want to do in and out of possession and so the focus was on our game." Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
