The Stanley Cup is heading back north of the border. Over the past few weeks, the Cup has been across North America several times. It started the Stanley Cup Final on the ice in Edmonton before finishing the series in Sunrise, in the hands of the Florida Panthers for the second year in a row. Following a week of hardcore partying and celebrating with the Panthers, and a quick stop at the repair shop for some minor dings, the Cup headed to Los Angeles for the NHL Draft. Now it’s heading back up north, but not to its home at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto. Nope, the Cup will now spend some time in Montreal. According to Phil Pritchard, the Keeper of the Cup, the historic trophy was brought to the HHOF’s official silversmith. That’s where the names of the 2025 Florida Panthers will be engraved onto the Stanley Cup. In order to be eligible to have your name on the Cup, a player must appear in at least 41 regular season games or one game during the Stanley Cup Final. Teams can petition for players to be added who do not fall under that criteria. Last year, Florida successfully petitioned to have Jonah Gadjovich and Josh Mahura included with the names engraved onto the Cup. A player who comes to mind who the Panthers may petition for this year is Nico Sturm. Florida picked him up at the Trade Deadline, but he only played a combined 23 regular season and playoff games, and none after the Eastern Conference Final, though when in the lineup, Sturm was often utilized regularly both at even strength and on the penalty kill. Interestingly, this is only the third year that the engraving process has taken place before the Cup begins its summer tour with the winning team. It’s an excellent new tradition that allows the new winners to take their time with the Stanley Cup after it already bears their name. Just like last summer, it should be fun to see how and where the Panthers celebrate with the Cup over the coming weeks and months. LATEST STORIES FROM THE HOCKEY NEWS - FLORIDA NHL Rumors: 3 Teams Who Could Target Panthers' Nate Schmidt [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/nhl-rumors-3-teams-who-could-target-panthers-nate-schmidt] Florida Panthers announce 2025 Development Camp roster, schedule [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/florida-panthers-announce-2025-development-camp-roster-schedule] NHL Rumors: Bruins & Maple Leafs Linked To Panthers Star [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/nhl-rumors-bruins-maple-leafs-linked-to-panthers-star] Panthers GM Bill Zito speaks on team's 2025 NHL Draft selections [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/panthers-gm-bill-zito-speaks-on-team-s-2025-nhl-draft-selections] Former Panthers Forward Signs Contract With New Team [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/former-panthers-forward-signs-contract-with-new-team] Photo caption: Jun 17, 2025; Sunrise, Florida, USA; The Florida Panthers look at the Stanley Cup after winning game six of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final against the Edmonton Oilers at Amerant Bank Arena. (Sam Navarro-Imagn Images)
