Engraving Of The Stanley Cup

Getting your name engraved on the Stanley Cup is hockey's equivalent to immortality.

The Cup was first awarded in 1893, and the name of the team and championship year were engraved from the start. But did you know it was not until 1907 that the practice of engraving players individual names started?

The Montreal Wanderers, champions of the ECAHA, challenged and defeated the Kenora Thistles in a Stanley Cup rematch. As part of their celebrations, they etched their names into the bottom of the Stanley Cup bowl, as pictured below.

At the time it must have been seen as desecration, but it obviously caught on and is now one of the greatest traditions in all of sport.

That being said it was not until 1924 that it became an annual tradition. At that time it was up to each team to have the engraving done. It wasn't until after World War II that engraving became the sole job of a hired professional.

Only four people have ever been hired as engravers.

Also See: Meet The Stanley Cup Engravers and Errors On The Cup.