Stanley Cup

Stanley Cup, trophy presented annually to the winner of the National Hockey League (NHL) postseason playoffs. Lord Stanley, governor general of Canada (1888–1893), first presented the award to the Canadian amateur hockey champion in 1893. From 1918–26, the NHL competed with the Pacific Coast Hockey Association (PCHA) for the Stanley Cup. Since 1926, when the PCHA disbanded, the trophy has been identified solely with the NHL.