🏆 How the Stanley Cup Ceremony Works: A Legendary Tradition in Hockey
When a team wins the Stanley Cup, it’s more than just a trophy lift—it’s the celebration of a lifelong dream, a historical tradition, and a moment that cements players into hockey immortality. But how exactly does the Stanley Cup ceremony work, and what makes it so special?
Let’s break it down.
🎉 The Moment the Final Buzzer Sounds
Once the final seconds tick off the clock in the deciding game of the Stanley Cup Final (usually Game 4, 5, 6, or 7), all eyes are on the ice.
What happens first?
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Celebration chaos: Players pour off the bench and swarm their goalie.
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Tears, hugs, helmets flying: For many players, this is the peak of their careers.
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Handshake line: In one of sports’ most respected traditions, both teams line up to shake hands—win or lose.
🏆 The Trophy Presentation
After the initial celebration and the handshake line, the on-ice ceremony begins:
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Gary Bettman (NHL Commissioner) walks to center ice with the Stanley Cup.
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Conn Smythe Trophy is awarded first — this goes to the MVP of the playoffs.
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Then comes the iconic line:
“Captain [Name], come hoist the Stanley Cup!”
The captain is the first to receive it. After skating a lap, he hands it off—usually to the longest-tenured player or a veteran who’s never won it.
⛸️ The Cup Lap & Team Skate
The Stanley Cup is then passed player to player, coach to coach. Each takes a quick lap around the ice with the trophy overhead, creating some of the most emotional and joyful moments in sports.
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Many players cry.
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Some kiss the Cup.
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Others scream out in disbelief: “We did it!”
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🚌 The Aftermath: Locker Room & Summer with the Cup
Back in the locker room? Champagne showers. Cigars. “We Are the Champions” on loop.
Each player also gets a day with the Stanley Cup over the summer. Many take it back to their hometowns, let family drink from it, or use it as a cereal bowl (yes, really).
🏆 All-Time Stanley Cup Wins by Team
Here’s a complete list of all NHL teams that have won the Stanley Cup and how many championships each franchise has captured:
| Team | Stanley Cup Wins |
|---|---|
| Montreal Canadiens | 24 |
| Toronto Maple Leafs | 13 |
| Detroit Red Wings | 11 |
| Boston Bruins | 6 |
| Chicago Blackhawks | 6 |
| Edmonton Oilers | 5 |
| Pittsburgh Penguins | 5 |
| New York Islanders | 4 |
| New York Rangers | 4 |
| New Jersey Devils | 3 |
| Tampa Bay Lightning | 3 |
| Colorado Avalanche | 3 |
| Philadelphia Flyers | 2 |
| Los Angeles Kings | 2 |
| Dallas Stars | 1 |
| Calgary Flames | 1 |
| Carolina Hurricanes | 1 |
| St. Louis Blues | 1 |
| Washington Capitals | 1 |
| Anaheim Ducks | 1 |
🧊 A Tradition Like No Other
No trophy in sports has a richer tradition than the Stanley Cup. It’s not just the most recognized championship in hockey—it’s a symbol of endurance, unity, and passion. From the moment it hits the ice to the day it tours the globe in the offseason, the Stanley Cup is a living legend.
