March 18, 1892, Lord Kilcoursie,
delivered the following message on behalf of Lord Stanley, the Earl of
Preston and Governor General of Canada:
"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."
Shortly thereafter, Lord Stanley purchased a silver cup measuring 7 ½
inches high by 11 ½ inches across for the sum of 10 guineas (approximately
$50); appointed two gentlemen, Sheriff John Sweetland and
Philip D. Ross, as guardians of that cup; and set the following conditions
to govern the annual competition:
- The winners will return the
Cup in good order when required by the guardians in order that it
may be handed over to any other team which may win it.
- Each winning team to have
the club name and year engraved on a silver ring fitted on the
Cup.
- The Cup to remain a
challenge competition and not the property of any one team, even
if won more than once. The guardians to maintain absolute
authority in all situations or disputes over the winner of the
Cup.
- A substitute guardians to
be named in the event that one of the existing guardians drops
out.
Lord Stanley
has never witnessed a championship game
nor attended a presentation of his trophy, having returned to his
native England. |
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