Chicago Welcomes Lord Stanley

Captain Jonathan Toews accepts the Stanley Cup on behalf of his team


Last night, to a full house in Philadelphia, the Chicago Blackhawks beat the Philadelphia Flyers 4-3 in overtime, to clinch the prized Cup in one of the most exciting Stanley Cup Final playoff games in the history of professional hockey. Both teams played their hearts out but Chicago gained the victory when Patrick Kane scored "the goal that almost nobody saw" at 4 minutes 6 seconds in overtime. Kane's quick wrist shot went between the legs of Philadelpia goalie Michael Leighton. The puck became lodged in the netting and only a few players and onlookers were aware the goal was scored. The play was reviewed to be sure the puck actually went in. Both goal tenders played superbly. Chicago's Antti Niemi stopped a third period onslaught by Philadelphia as they attempted to gain victory and send the playoff series back to Chicago for a seventh, all-deciding game. The game was the most widely watched Stanley Cup Final game since 1974.

The Stanley Cup was donated as a trophy in 1892 by then Governor of Canada, Lord Stanley of Preston. It has a long tradition of passing on to those hockey teams who find themselves worthy of this cherished prize by winning a series of playoff elimination rounds. It was originally awarded to the Montreal Hockey Club in 1893 "after defeating all comers of the late season including the Ontario Hockey Club." It is said that Lord Stanley purchased a punch bowl made of pure Silver in Sheffield, England, for about 10 guineas (about $1,175 in today's US dollars.) The Cup has since been passed on year-after-year to the new champions. The names of each player of every winning team are inscribed on the Cup. Several additions have been made over the years to accommodate all of the names. There are actually three "official" Stanley Cups- The original purchased by Lord Stanley, the Presentation Cup which is the one actually presented to teams each year, and a Replica Trophy to be used as a stand-in at the Hockey Hall of Fame.

There is much significance to the Chicago Blackhawks winning the Cup this year. It is Chicago's first Cup since 1961, for a total three times winning the Cup. Its first Stanley Cup championship was in 1938. The team has recently come under control of William Rockwell "Rocky" Wirtz, grandson to the late owner Arthur M. Wirtz. Rocky breathed life into this dying franchise. Himself, an avid hockey fan, Rocky welcomed all of the former players back to the ice arena where they had been previously told they were not welcome. He held a series of promotions for the hockey franchise. He made the fans and the team feel good about itself once again. This most recent Stanley Cup championship team is one of the youngest teams in the hockey league this year. The team was cheered all season by the Blackhawk's oldest living player, Al Suomi, 96, who played for the team in the 1936-37 season. It is believed Mr. Suomi is the oldest surviving NHL player.

Chicagoans have much to celebrate in their team's victory this year. To the city, the fans, the organization, Mr. Wirtz, and the players-- Congratulations!