March 17, 2017 Ottawa, Ontario Parks Canada Agency



Today, the Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, Catherine McKenna, announced the designation of the Stanley Cup as a national historic event with the unveiling of a Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada (HSMBC) plaque.



The Stanley Cup is the oldest and most prestigious trophy in North American team sports and is considered a symbol of professional hockey supremacy. This highly coveted silver trophy has created numerous rivalries and led to countless exciting matches, serving up spectacular plays and showcasing the talents of the league’s star players. The cup’s great symbolic value has captured the collective imagination of hockey players and fans across North America for 125 years.



The Government of Canada is committed to connecting Canadians to the significant events that contributed to our country’s rich history and heritage. Initially known as the Dominion Hockey Challenge Cup, the Stanley Cup was donated by the Governor General of Canada, Lord Stanley of Preston, in 1892 as a prize for the winning amateur hockey team at the Dominion of Canada championship. As of 1927, it became the exclusive prize of the National Hockey League’s playoff champion.



Canada’s national parks, national historic sites and national marine conservation areas enable Canadians to experience their rich history and heritage in a special way and play a big part in the celebration of Canada 150. As part of the centennial of national historic sites, Parks Canada invites Canadians to be inspired and captivated by the stories of the people and events that shaped the Canada of today.