Silver Seven And The Stanley Cup’s Night Spent Underwater

Jun 24, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; Chicago Blackhawks goalie Corey Crawford (50) hoists the Stanley Cup after game six of the 2013 Stanley Cup Final against the Boston Bruins at TD Garden. The Blackhawks won 3-2 to win the series four games to two. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

The Stanley Cup. The hunt has been on for a few weeks now, for the coveted trophy.

The Cup is named for Lord Stanley of Preston, who was the 1892 Governor General of Canada. The man, purchased the silver cup in London. It measured  7 ½ inches high by 11 ½ inches across for the sum of 10 guineas (about $50.) He made the donation towards the champion team of hockey in Canada. Obviously by the size,  it was a lot smaller than the Cup which is presented today.

The first team to be presented with the award was the Montreal Amateur Athletic Association (or MAAA) in 1893. Even though, Lord Stanley started the tradition he never witnessed a championship game or a presentation of the Cup. He returned to England during that 1893 season.

Ottawa won the coveted prize 11 times between 1903 to 1927. It was first as the Ottawa ‘Silver Seven’ and then as the re-named Senators. It’s the Silver Seven, where the real tale begins…

It was 1905, when the Silver Seven won the Stanley Cup that season. The team celebrated with some drinks. Whatever the term might be – smashed or hammered, the players decided to head out to the Rideau Canal. A couple of stories differ, claiming they wanted to kick the Cup into the Canal, while another says they wanted to kick the Cup across the Canal. Either way…sure, why not?

Anyway, whatever the real story may be, the Cup landed in the water. The players went on their way and left it in the Canal – until the next day.

The Stanley Cup may have changed its look and grown in size over the years, it’s been to many places. This past weekend the Cup made a stop at the Kentucky Derby.

What team will tell the next story in 2014?