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With the Stanley Cup Playoffs beginning in mid-April — and the Stanley Cup Finals taking place about a month and a half after that — fever amongst hockey’s faithful is about to reach an all-time high. Hockey’s Holy Grail will be lifted for the 100th time later this June. Every Cup champion over the past 100 seasons had something special, and it was the reason why they were the ones to lift the chalice.
Before we take a look at which team has won the most Stanley Cups ever, let’s learn a little bit more about the Cup and its history.
Who is Stanley?
Lord Stanley of Preston was the Governor General of Canada. He played a crucial role in the formation of the OHA (Ontario Hockey Association).
When was the Cup first awarded?
In 1893, it was awarded to the Montreal Amateur Athletic Association (MAAA).
Do every player and team executive get his name on the trophy?
Yes. The NHL has had four engravers since its inception make sure players and executives all get their names inscribed, even if its spelled wrong.
Which coach and player have their name on the Stanley Cup the most?
Canadiens legendary forward has his name on the Cup 11 times, while Hall of Fame coach Scotty Bowman’s name appears a record nine times.
Let’s take a look at Winner’s history and which team has won the most Stanley Cups:
Montreal Canadiens: 24
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The Montreal Canadiens have won 24 Stanley Cup’s, the most of any other team. No team has won more Stanley Cups in National Hockey League history than Les Habitants. From Maurice Richard to Jean Beliveau to Patrick Roy, the Habs have reigned over hockey’s landscape since its inception.
Years won: 1915-16, 1923-24, 1929-30, 1930-31, 1943-44, 1945-46, 1952-53, 1953-54, 1955-56, 1956-57, 1957-58, 1958-59, 1959-60, 1964-65, 1965-66, 1967-68, 1968-69, 1969-70, 1970-71, 1972-73, 1975-76, 1976-77, 1977-78, 1978-79, 1985-86, 1992-93
Toronto Maple Leafs: 13
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The Toronto Maple Leafs have a solidified spot in Stanley Cup lore amassing 13 Cups over the last 100 years. While they haven’t won the chalice since 1967, the Leafs greatness in the first 50 seasons of the NHL can’t be denied.
Years won: 1917-18, 1921-22, 1931-32, 1941-42, 1944-45, 1946-47, 1947-48, 1948-49, 1950-51, 1961-62, 1962-63, 1963-64, 1966-67.
Detroit Red Wings: 11
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There’s a reason Detroit was handed the name “Hockeytown” years ago because the Wings over their history have established themselves as a model franchise with 11 Stanley Cup titles. Some of the greats, Gordie Howe, Steve Yzerman, Niklas Lidstrom created a championship culture that has resonated long to this day.
Years won: 1935-36 1936-37, 1942-43, 1949-50, 1951-52, 1953-54, 1954-55, 1996-97, 1997-98, 2001-02, 2007-08
Chicago Blackhawks: 6
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One of the NHL’s Original Six, the Blackhawks six Cup wins all hold a special place in NHL history. Each of their runs has a dynasty-like presence to them, especially their recent run as the team of the decade from 2010 to 2015.
Years won: 1933-34, 1937-38, 1960-61, 2009-10, 2012-13, 2014-15
Boston Bruins: 6
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Known as a crazed sports town, Boston has always been synonymous with winning championships, and the same goes for the Bruins. The legacy that started with Eddie Shore, passed down to Bobby Orr, and then on to Patrice Bergeron, the B’s will always be highly regarded in Stanley Cup lore.
Years won: 1928-29, 1938-39, 1940-41, 1969-70, 1971-72, 2010-11
Edmonton Oilers: 5
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From a WHA franchise to a five-time Cup champion, the Oilers dynasty dominated the of the late 80’s. Led by the greatest player of all time — Wayne Gretzky — and his band of hall of famers, Edmonton ruled the league with an iron fist and beat anybody in their way.
Years won: 1983-84, 1984-85, 1986-87, 1987-88, 1989-80
Pittsburgh Penguins: 5
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The Steel City has seen its fair amount of championship teams, but the Penguins hold a special place in that club. Their 08′ Cup won is very impressive, but to go back-to-back twice in their history, will always be the benchmark for any aspiring champion.
Years won: 1990-91, 1991-92, 2008-09, 2015-16, 2016-17
New York Islanders: 4
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The early 80’s Islanders fielded some of the deepest talent pools in league history. Their four-year run — including 19-straight playoff series wins — will never be matched in today’s era.
Years won: 1979-80, 1980-81, 1981-82, 1983-84.
New York Rangers: 4
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Over their illustrious history, the New York Rangers Cup wins all hold significance. Filled with legendary players, the Blueshirts hold a unique title around the league.
Years won: 1927-28, 1933-34, 1939-40, 1993-94
Ottawa Senators: 4
This powerhouse club was made up of seven future Hall of Famers and was the team of the 20’s.
Years won: 1919-20, 1920-21, 1922-23, 1926-27
New Jersey Devils: 3
It only took the “Mickey Mouse” club from the Garden State 12 years to reign supreme in hockey. In the nine-year stretch that followed, the Devils etched their spot among the elite Cup winners of all time.
Years won: 1994-95, 1999-00, 2002-03
Philadelphia Flyers: 2
The Flyers are still trying to break their Stanley Cup drought, but the two Cups they won, were with pure talent and intimidation. Those two years Philly held the crown, no one came within an inch of the formula the club had created.
Years won: 1973-74, 1974-75
Colorado Avalanche: 2
No one knew after the Colorado Avalanche moved from Quebec in 1995, that they would become one of the more dominant teams in the 90’s and into the early 2000’s. While they only did win two titles, the likes of Joe Sakic, Peter Forsberg, Patrick Roy, and Rob Blake instantly made Colorado a winning franchise and a feared franchise.
Years won: 1996-97, 2001-02
Los Angeles Kings: 2
The Kings two Cups in the early 2010’s ignited the City of Angels. Their phenomenal three-year period where they earned the crown twice and made Hollywood the center of the hockey universe.
Years won: 2011-12, 2013-14
Anaheim Ducks: 1
In 2006, the Ducks title came from a culmination of years of just coming up short. A team permeated by grizzled veterans and up-and-coming stars, Anaheim’s only Stanley Cup was a breakthrough for the sport.
Years won: 2006-07
Carolina Hurricanes: 1
It took only nine years after they were plucked away from Hartford, for the Carolina Hurricanes to lift the Stanley Cup. Underdogs throughout the playoffs, the Canes magical run ranks right up their with some of the best Cup champions of all time.
Years won: 2005-06
Tampa Bay Lightning: 1
In that brilliant season of 03′-04′, the Lightning was built from top to bottom to win the Stanley Cup. Coached by fiery John Tortorella, the Bolts stormed their way to the Finals and won two final dramatic contests to complete their goal.
Years won: 2003-04
Dallas Stars: 1
For one shining season, the Stars shined bright deep in the heart of Texas. Brett Hull and Co. found a way to give the city of Dallas the night they deserved.
Years won: 1998-99
Calgary Flames: 1
The hockey world was at the feet of the province of Alberta in the late 1980’s. Calgary finally after years of torment got over the hump and gave legend Lanny McDonald one last hurrah.
Years won: 1988-89
Montreal Maroons: 1
After seeing Montreal’s other club win their first Stanley Cups, the Maroons lifted hockey’s holy grail, which would be their one and only time they accomplished the feat.
Years won: 1925-26
Toronto St. Patricks: 1
Cecil “Babe” Dye and John Ross Roach made the St. Patricks the king of kings in the city of Toronto.
Years Won: 1922-23
Toronto Arenas: 1
The Arenas were the first team ever to hoist the Stanley Cup in the National Hockey League’s inaugural season.
Years won: 1917-18