The Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) announced on Friday that the trophy belonging to the Montreal Victoire team, known as the Walter Cup, is currently missing. The league stated that the trophy did not arrive at its intended destination, and efforts are underway in collaboration with the shipping company to locate it.
A source revealed that the trophy was scheduled to be sent to Lethbridge, Alberta, for a special event with Victoire forward Dara Greig. However, upon the container’s arrival, the Walter Cup was not inside, prompting Greig to postpone her celebration day, including a public event at VisitLethbridge.com Arena.
It remains unknown where the missing Walter Cup was last seen. Unlike other leagues like the NHL with the Stanley Cup, the PWHL does not assign an individual to accompany the trophy on its travels to be with players.
The missing Walter Cup is a replica awarded to championship-winning teams for their possession, distinct from the one presented on the ice during the victory ceremony, which is permanently housed at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto.
Both the original and team versions of the trophy, crafted by Tiffany & Co., are sterling silver, weighing approximately 35 pounds and standing at 24 inches in height and 13 inches wide. The cup is designed with hockey stick-like rods, engraved with six W’s symbolizing the league’s original franchises, and features a puck base showcasing past championship teams.
Montreal secured the Walter Cup by defeating Ottawa in a decisive Game 4 of a best-of-five series in May, becoming the first Canadian team to claim the PWHL title, following Minnesota’s two previous championships.
Named after PWHL founder and Los Angeles Dodgers owner Mark Walter and his wife Kimbra, the Walter Cup remains a prestigious symbol within the league.