The O’Brien Cup

1910 Trophy Highlights Canadian Hockey Excellence

Here along the Lake – Nearly as historically important to men’s professional ice hockey as the Stanley Cup is the O’Brien Cup trophy which was donated 18 seasons after Lord Stanley’s donation and has served both the NHA and the NHL as their League Championship trophy.

Canadian Senator Michael John O’Brien and his son John Ambrose O’Brien are mostly responsible for the creation of the NHA and the Montreal Canadiens, financing other teams as well, Michael donated the O’Brien Cup in 1910 to represent the NHA League Champion. (Both O’Brien men after 1912 never owned a team again)

Once the NHA team owners decided to side-step one of their cantankerous team owners and create the NHL in 1917 the O’Brien Cup was awarded to the NHL regular season Champions but a few seasons later the trophy was retired in 1924.

Then in 1928 the O’Brien Cup was brought back into duty as the NHL had two divisions Canadian and American, so the Canadian Division winner was awarded the O’Brien Cup but only for a decade.

In 1939 the O’Brien Cup was designated as the NHL’s trophy for the runner-up to the regular season championship, and then after another decade of service the NHL once again retired the O’Brien Cup in 1950.

During this 115th year of the O’Brien Cup trophy Buffalo Winter will unofficially reinstate the trophy to be awarded to the Canadian NHL hockey team that wins the most games during the regular season.

Unknown's avatar

Author: Buffalo Winter

Jesus, Family, Hockey, then everything else.

3 thoughts on “The O’Brien Cup”

  1. It is always good to read about a Canadian connection. I would not have known this otherwise, so thanks!

    And I’m looking forward to finding out which Canadian NHL team wins the most games during this season.

    I’m going out on a limb and making some predictions for fun. LOL

    Out of 82 games

    TOR Leafs – 54

    WIN Jets – 50

    EDM Oilers – 48

    VAN Canucks – 43

    OTT Senators – 35

    MTL Canadiens – 34

    BUF Sabres – Definitely double digits!

    🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Nice, I did not think to prognosticate the possible outcomes, I also appreciate that you included my boys in your list.

      I like what you have predicted…for me so far I like Winnipeg and Toronto and maybe Ottawa, unless they get it turned around Edmonton might not get that many wins.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

Leave a comment