A 4 Nations Face-Off trophy was unveiled on Tuesday, but it doesn't have a name — yet. Here are some ideas for it.
When Canada plays Sweden to kick off the 4 Nations Face-Off on Wednesday, the stakes will be obvious.
Call this a glorified week-long All-Star Game if you’d like. Or question why a so-called best-on-best tournament is missing so many of the NHL’s top superstars. But there’s plenty to play for.
At the top of the list is obviously national pride. Winners will also receive gold medals.
And then, there’s the trophy. While not nearly as impressive as the Stanley Cup, the 4 Nations trophy looks like a huge upgrade over the Frank Gehry-designed World Cup trophy from 2004 and 2016. For one, it doesn’t look like an ashtray or something you’d put flowers in — although you may be able to eat poutine or drink Tim Hortons' coffee out of it.
There’s just one thing missing at the moment: a name.
It remains to be seen whether a name will be revealed later. Here are four ideas for the name of the 4 Nations Face-Off trophy.
The Johnny Gaudreau Memorial Trophy
Johnny Gaudreau, who was tragically killed with his brother Matthew while riding their bikes in the summer, would have been a lock to play for Team USA at the 4 Nations Face-Off.
In fact, his presence has already been felt. Team USA is keeping a stall with Gaudreau's No. 13 on full display in the team’s dressing room.
Gaudreau's father, Guy, was invited to help coach at practice on Tuesday as well.
Naming the championship trophy after Gaudreau would be yet another way to honor a player who represented his country at five World Championships, who won gold at the 2013 world juniors and who played with many Americans and Canadians for Team North America at the 2016 World Cup. It would also honor the impact Gaudreau and his family have on the hockey community, not just on the ice but especially off the ice.
The Bob Cole Cup
The voice of hockey for millions of Canadians, Cole passed away last April after a legendary broadcasting career.
Many of Cole's best moments came on the international stage, where he called the 1998 Olympics, when Dominik Hasek led the Czech Republic to an upset win over Canada, as well as the 2002 Olympics when Canada finally won gold.
"Now after 50 years, it's time for Canada to stand up and cheer," an emotional Cole said back then. "Stand up and cheer everybody! The Olympics Salt Lake City, 2002, men's ice hockey, gold medal: Canada!"
The Forsberg Trophy
Sweden put Peter Forsberg on a national stamp after arguably scoring one of biggest shootout goals ever at the 1994 Olympics, when he deked past Canadian goalie Corey Hirsch with a "one hand, slide in" move to win gold.
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3yNIuoUjfk[/embed]
Forsberg, who also helped Sweden win Olympic gold in 2006, is as decorated an international star as you'll find. In total, he competed in four Olympics, two World Cups, five World Championships and two world juniors, where he still holds a scoring record of 31 points in seven games.
The Paul Henderson Cup
Paul Henderson scored one of the biggest goals in hockey history when he helped Canada beat the Soviet Union in the 1972 Summit Series. That eight-game series may have been the launching pad for the Canada Cup, which then became the World Cup and has now inspired the 4 Nations Face-Off. Henderson has not yet been inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame, so maybe this could be the push he needs to get in.
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