What is the origins of the Stanley cup?
It was a billowy March 18, and Lord Stanley, the Earl of Preston and Governor General of Canada declared the following: “I have for some time been thinking that it would be a good thing if there were a challenge cup which should be held from year to year by the champion hockey team in the Dominion (of Canada). “There does not appear to be any such outward sign of a championship at present, and considering the general interest which matches now elicit, and the importance of having the game played fairly and under rules generally recognized, I am willing to give a cup which shall be held from year to year by the winning team.” And that guy knew how to get things done! He promptly went out, bought a silver cup, and drafted some rules for the “Dominion Hockey Challenge Cup”. And so it was born. Sources: NHL.
