Because of the history behind this trophy, plenty of Cup traditions have developed over the years.  The oldest, and most famous of these traditions is the players drinking champagne out of the Cup after winning it.  This started in 1896 with the Winnipeg Victorias and has been done every year since.  It usually takes place in the locker room directly following the series winning game.

Another tradition that was established after the 1930s is the presentation of the Cup to the winning team’s Captain on the ice, and the subsequent victory lap while hoisting the cup overhead.  It is then passed on to the next player who also hoists the Cup and skates a lap until every member of the team has taken a turn.  The only time this tradition was breeched (slightly) was when Colorado Avalanche Captain Joe Sakic immediately passed the Cup to Ray Bourque when the team won the Stanley Cup in 2001.  It was the last game of Bourque’s 22-year career (which he played entirely with the Boston Bruins before requesting a trade to Colorado in hopes of winning the Cup before his retirement).  When Sakic was presented with the Cup, rather than hoisting it as tradition dictates, he immediately passed the Cup to Bourque who took the first victory lap while hoisting the Cup over his head.

It is also a tradition among players to never touch the Cup unless they have rightfully earned it.  Furthermore, many players believe that it is bad luck to touch or hoist the Conference Championship Trophies upon winning them as the Stanley Cup is the true championship trophy and is the only one worthy of hoisting.  That being said, several players have broken from this tradition and gone on to win the Stanley Cup.

Finally, one of the most well known traditions is, in fact, fairly new.  Starting in 1995, each player on the winning team is allowed to spend 24 hours with the Stanley Cup.  The Cup is escorted all over the world by at least one representative of the Hockey Hall of Fame so each player can spend their day with the Stanley Cup.  Of course, this has led to many stories surrounding the players and how they spend their day with one of the most coveted sports trophies.  Check out our Trivia and Misadventures page to find out more.