The Professional Women’s Hockey League championship trophy, known as the Walter Cup, is missing in transit ahead of a scheduled player appearance in Alberta, according to a statement issued by the league to The Associated Press on Friday. The sterling silver trophy failed to arrive as expected at its latest stop, prompting the league to coordinate directly with the shipping company to locate the missing cargo.
The Disappearance Ahead of the Montreal Victoire Tour
According to a person with knowledge of the plans who spoke to the AP on the condition of anonymity, the Walter Cup was en route to Lethbridge, Alberta. The trophy was scheduled to spend the day with Montreal Victoire forward Dara Greig. While the shipping container successfully arrived at the destination, the Walter Cup was not inside. This delivery failure forced Greig to postpone her planned day with the trophy on Thursday, which included a public event scheduled at the VisitLethbridge.com Arena. The league has not publicly disclosed where the trophy was last seen.
Did you know? The PWHL does not currently deploy a traveling representative to chaperone the Walter Cup during regional player visits.
Distinguishing the Traveling Replica from the Hall of Fame Original
League operations confirmed that the missing item is not the primary trophy presented to players on the ice immediately following a championship victory. That original trophy is permanently housed at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto. Instead, the missing item is a duplicate version issued specifically to championship-winning franchises to keep.
According to PWHL design details, the trophy is crafted from sterling silver by Tiffany & Co. It weighs approximately 35 pounds (16 kilograms), measures roughly 24 inches (61 centimeters) in height, and spans 13 inches (33 centimeters) in width. The structure rests upon two support rods shaped like hockey sticks, features six engraved “W” characters representing the league’s original franchises, and rests on a base styled to resemble a hockey puck etched with past championship winners.
Championship History and Naming of the Walter Cup
The Montreal Victoire earned the right to keep a team version of the trophy after defeating Ottawa in Game 4 of a best-of-five series in May, securing their status as the first Canadian team to capture a PWHL title. Minnesota claimed the league’s first two championships prior to Montreal’s victory. The trophy itself is named in honor of PWHL founder, primary financier, and Los Angeles Dodgers owner Mark Walter, along with his wife Kimbra.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the original Walter Cup kept?
The original trophy presented on the ice is permanently housed at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto, according to the PWHL.
Who won the championship that earned Montreal their team trophy?
The Montreal Victoire secured the title by defeating Ottawa in Game 4 of a best-of-five series in May.
What is the Walter Cup made of?
Designed by Tiffany & Co., the 35-pound trophy is made of sterling silver and features a base resembling a hockey puck alongside two stick-shaped support rods.
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