The 1994 Stanley Cup Champion New York Rangers :: Hockey History Winning Sports Essays

The 1994 Stanley Cup Champion New York Rangers It is the dream of every child that has ever played hockey to one day be able to hold hockey’s most prized possession over his or her head. The glory, honor, and prestige that goes along with this trophy is by far the most elite in any sport. It is amazing to me how many years and the amount of effort these players put in just to hold this cup over their heads. Why is there such a drive and how did this trophy come to mean so much to so many people? This trophy has such humble beginnings. Originating in Canada, Hockey was taken very seriously. There was a lot of rivalry going on throughout the country, especially in the Amateur Hockey Association, as to who had the best hockey team. It was in response to this that Lord Stanley of Preston, the Governor of Central-Canada, decided to present a trophy to the team that won the championship. He said, â€Å"I have for some time been thinking that it would be a good thing if there were a challenge cup which should be held from year to year by the champion hockey team in the Dominion (of Canada)† (Nhl.com). Lord Stanley purchased a cup-like trophy for the equivalent of only $50.00, and from then on, it was presented to the winning team. â€Å"The Stanley Cup—today the symbol of the hockey championship of the world, oldest professional sports trophy in North America, glittering prize of a multi-million dollar industry, was then for amateurs†(McFarlane 14). The cup wa s first awarded in 1893 and the names of each member on the team were engraved on it. As the years went on, they were forced to add more rings around the cup to make room for all of the champion’s names. The cup started as a challenger’s cup, meaning whoever won had possession of it, but any other team could challenge them at any time for their chance at the cup. â€Å"Over the years the Stanley Cup has grown in size and importance† (McFarlane xi). The New York Rangers, who entered into the National Hockey League in the 1926-27 season, quickly became aware of what it was like to rise to the top of the league and to hold the Stanley Cup over their heads. Lead by Lester Patrick, the head coach and Bill Cook, who won the scoring title that year, the Rangers finished at the top of the league.