> The oldest professional sports trophy in North America is awarded in whichsport?And the answer: Hockey. Photo credit: NHL.comCommissioned in 1892 and named after the Governor Generalof Canada, the Stanley Cup is the oldest professional sports trophy in NorthAmerica. As of 2021, the Montreal Canadiens have won it a record 24 times, whilethe Detroit Red Wings have won it 11 times, the most of any United States-basedNHL team.In 1888, Sir Fredrick Arthur Stanley was appointed by Queen Victoria to be theGovernor General of Canada. When he arrived in Canada, he was met with his firstever hockey game: a match between the Montreal Victorias and Montreal AthleticAssociation. Lord Stanley was immediately hooked. He involved his family in thefun, and eventually donated a trophy that would be awarded to the best hockeyteam in Canada each year.The first recipient of the Stanley Cup was the Montreal Amateur AthleticAssociation in 1893. Winners’ team names were inscribed on the base of the cupuntil it became too full in 1903, and the teams were inscribed on the cupitself. In 1924, a new tradition began in which the names of players and otherimportant team officials were inscribed on the cup, a tradition which persiststoday. To make every name fit, a new ring was added every year. When the cupbegan to tower in height, it was redesigned to add removable bands each time aring was filled.Did you know?There are actually three Stanley Cups! One is handed to the winning team at theend of the championship game. The other is a replica that sits in the HockeyHall of Fame, and the third holds the real cup gifted by Lord Stanley.Today, the Stanley Cup is a proud, beautiful trophy celebrating the longstandinghistory of hockey. Learn more below.