The Florida Panthers captured the Stanley Cup this year, defeating the Edmonton Oilers on July 12. Since then, the trophy has been making its rounds, spending a day with each player, whether visiting hospitals, attending family gatherings, or even sharing a slice of pizza at a local restaurant.
This “day with the Cup” tradition has been around since 1995, allowing players, coaches, and staff of the championship team to bring the trophy to their hometowns and share the win with their communities. Accompanied by the “Keeper of the Cup,” the trophy’s travels are as unique as the people it visits.
Some choose heartfelt gestures, like hospital visits and memorial stops. In contrast, others went for lighthearted fun, eating favorite foods from the bowl, placing their children inside it for photos, or throwing celebratory parties. The possibilities are endless.
This year, Lord Stanley’s journey ran from July 2 to August 2, marking the tradition’s 30th anniversary, a milestone that traces back to the New Jersey Devils. After their 1995 championship, the Devils were the first team to give each member a personal day with the Cup officially. Phil Pritchard, Keeper of the Cup, explained that the team is “much bigger than the guys on the ice,” and the tradition was a way to share the victory with entire communities.
The Panthers embraced that same spirit. Roberto Luongo filled the Cup with Labubus, a trending plush toy, for a playful social media moment on July 14. Matthew Tkachuk brought it to the St. Louis Children’s Hospital, his go-to first stop. Bill Zito visited Theatre of the Sea, showing off the hardware to dolphins and sea lions. Mackie Samoskevich honored the Sandy Hook Elementary School Memorial.
The Cup also made appearances at a Coldplay concert, a Tim Horton’s drive-thru, local rinks, and countless family celebrations.
In 30 years, the Stanley Cup has traveled to over 30 countries, been used to serve just about every food imaginable, and met thousands of friends, fans, and loved ones, all thanks to a tradition born with the 1995 Devils.