The eight finalists in a competition to design a new monument to Lord Frederick Stanley's eponymous silver bowl were unveiled Thursday, and their entries range from an abstract interpretation of hockey's famous prize to a realistic sculpture of the donor himself.

A jury of renowned art and hockey experts, as well as writers — including Roch Carrier of The Hockey Sweater fame and former NHL goaltender and MP Ken Dryden — will evaluate the entries. Comments on the finalists can be sent to hello@lordstanleysgift.com by Oct. 7.

The non-profit Lord Stanley's Gift Memorial Monument Inc. has been trying to get this project off the ground for years. After an unsuccessful attempt to raise private funds, the federal government agreed to shoulder most of the monument's $2.8-million price tag.

Monument will displace bronze bear

The winning design will be in realized next year, and unveiled in December 2017 at the corner of Sparks and Elgin streets to commemorate both the 125th anniversary of Stanley's donation of the cup, and the centennial of the NHL.

The corner is near the spot where the Russell House Hotel once stood, where Stanley made his famous donation.

The chosen location was somewhat controversial when first announced in 2013 because it meant the monument will displace Territorial Prerogative, the towering bronze sculpture of a mother bear spearing a salmon with her claws.

However the widow of Bruce Garner, the bear sculpture's creator, has since agreed to oversee its restoration and relocation to the corner of Sparks and Metcalfe streets.

Covit/Nguyen/Norr

The winning design features a large chalice sitting atop a white hockey rink with a large bench in the shape of a hockey puck. (Supplied)

Coupland/Leinster/Mills

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SPMB/1X1 Architecture

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Intégral Jean Beaudoin + Novalux

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Myros Trutiak/Pellettier/Vandergaast

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JA Architecture Studio & Sebastian Errazuriz Studio

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North Design Office/Blackwell/Mulvi & Banani

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Studio West/Exp.