The Professional Women’s Hockey League’s prized Walter Cup, belonging to the Montreal Victoire, has gone missing, according to league officials. The PWHL released a statement confirming that the trophy did not reach its intended destination as scheduled and is currently working in conjunction with the shipping company to track it down.
The missing Walter Cup was en route to Lethbridge, Alberta, where it was set to be showcased with Victoire forward Dara Greig. However, upon the container’s arrival, the trophy was nowhere to be found, prompting Greig to delay her scheduled appearance with the cup at the VisitLethbridge.com Arena.
Unlike the NHL’s Stanley Cup, the PWHL does not assign a dedicated individual to accompany the trophy during its travels to be with the players. The missing Walter Cup is not the ceremonial trophy presented on the ice to the championship-winning team, as that one is permanently displayed at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto.
The absent version of the Walter Cup is a replica issued to the victorious teams for their possession. Crafted from sterling silver by Tiffany & Co., the cup weighs approximately 35 pounds and stands at 24 inches in height and 13 inches in width. Adorned with six W’s symbolizing the league’s original franchises and featuring a puck base inscribed with the championship teams, the cup is a prestigious symbol of victory.
Montreal secured the cup by triumphing over Ottawa in a decisive Game 4 of the series, becoming the first Canadian team to claim the title in PWHL history. The trophy pays homage to PWHL founder and Los Angeles Dodgers owner Mark Walter and his wife Kimbra for their contributions to the league.
