“… play for the glory only”

The following letter to the editor appeared in the January 22nd, 1892, edition of the Manitoba Daily Free Press:

“Sir, I should like to offer a suggestion to the hockey players of Winnipeg through your valuable paper, viz : the formation of an association to be known an “The Manitoba Hockey Association.” You have here your lacrosse, football and cricket associations, why no hockey ? Which is as exciting and interesting a sport as one could wish for not only to play but to witness. I have no doubt that Brandon, Portage and other places would be only too willing to act in concert with the Winnipeg clubs in the formation of such an association. Although perhaps a little late in the season for this year, yet start the ball rolling and keep it up for an early start next winter. Doubtless if such an association were formed some sport-loving citizen, and you have many of them, would donate a prize for yearly competition, to become the property of the club winning same two years in succession instead of as now having the boys play for the glory only. Trusting that this suggestion will not be thought presumptuous on my part. – Puck ”

The pseudonymous “Puck” had certainly been granted foresight of almost supernatural proportions, as the very next day, following the match between the Pegs and Vics previously described, T.A. Anderson, President of the Victorias, presented a “cup for the championship among the hockey clubs in the city.” (WDFP, January 25th, 1892, p.5)

Perhaps not so coincidentally, a letter from Frederick Stanley, Earl of Derby, was read by Lord Kilcoursie at a banquet for the Ottawa Hockey Club on March 18th, 1892, at the end of the Ontario Hockey Association season. As quoted in McFarlane’s The Stanley Cup:

“I have for some time been thinking it would be a good thing if there were a challenge cup which could be held from year to year by the leading hockey club in Canada. There does not appear to be any outward or visible sign of the championship at present. Considering the interest that hockey matches now elicit and the importance of having the games fairly played under generally recognized rules, I am willing to give a cup that shall be annually held by the winning club.

I am not quite certain that the present regulations governing the matches give entire satisfaction. It would be worth considering whether they could not be arranged so that each team would play once at home and once at the place where their opponents hail from.” (p.17)

Being a challenge trophy, any club in Canada could stake its claim. And while the Vics would set their present sights firmly on the city championship, it would not be long before the Stanley Cup, that illustrious new prize, was well within their grasp.