Meet NWHL’s Isobel Cup: Made in Canada, established in USA (Photo)
NEWARK, N.J. — Lord Stanley’s Cup was delayed as he made his way to Chicago for its presentation to the Chicago Blackhawks last June. The NWHL’s Isobel Cup, the trophy named for Stanley’s daughter, was in Indianapolis as the league dropped the puck in their first finals on Friday night.
It must be a family thing.
A late press release went out to the media to announce her arrival prior to Game 2.
What emerged from a solid black case was a perfect trophy, not yet marked by fingerprints or kiss marks, or engravings of the winners names.
“We used our relationship with the Hockey Hall of Fame to conceptualize and create the Isobel Cup,” said NWHL Commissioner Dani Rylan. “The Cup itself represents the founding four teams and is inscribed with a message noting its awarding to the greatest professional women’s hockey team in North America.”
From the NWHL press release:
Dimensions
The sterling silver Cup stands at 14 1/2″ tall and sits atop an 11″ base. The entire trophy stands at 25 1/2″ tall. The Cup is 12″ wide and weighs 15 pounds.
Engraving
The front of The Cup reads: “The Lady Isobel Gathorne-Hardy Cup 1875-1963”. The front panel on the top layer of the base shows a photo of Lady Isobel playing the game she loved. Under the photo, it reads: “This Cup shall be awarded annually to the greatest professional women’s hockey team in North America. All who pursue this Cup, pursue a dream; a dream born with Isobel, that shall never die. EST. 2016”. At the foot of The Cup, the Founding Four teams have been etched into white coriander to be immortalized in NWHL history.
Legacy
At the conclusion of each Isobel Cup Playoffs, the names of the entire winning team will be etched onto its panels for all of eternity. The current configuration of The Isobel Cup will last for the first 15 seasons the trophy is awarded. At the start of season 16, a new layer will be added to the bottom of the base to accommodate the next generation of champions.
The Isobel Cup will live at The Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto when not being utilized by the NWHL.
Per Commissioner Rylan, the trophy was manufactured in Canada.
The first time the NWHL players see the Isobel Cup will be when it is presented to the winner of the series. (Unless they’ve checked their Twitter timeline before/after warmups.) The Boston Pride could leave Saturday night with the trophy after taking the 1-0 series lead against the Buffalo Beauts.
Game 2 is live from Prudential Center Practice Facility on Saturday, March 12 at 7:30pm ET. Watch for free on Cross-Ice Pass.
– – – – – – –
Jen Neale is an editor for Puck Daddy on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email her at [email protected] or follow her on Twitter! Follow @MsJenNeale_PD.
MORE FROM YAHOO HOCKEY:
