The Professional Women’s Hockey League announced on Friday that the Walter Cup, belonging to the champion Montreal Victoire, has gone missing during transit. The league issued a statement confirming that the trophy did not reach its intended destination and is currently working with the shipping company to locate it.
The trophy was scheduled to be sent to Lethbridge, Alberta, for a special event with Victoire forward Dara Greig. However, upon arrival, the container holding the cup was found empty, prompting Greig to postpone her celebration event at VisitLethbridge.com Arena on Thursday.
Unlike the NHL’s Stanley Cup, the PWHL does not assign a dedicated individual to accompany the trophy during its travels. The missing Walter Cup is a replica awarded to championship-winning teams to retain, distinct from the trophy presented on the ice after winning the title, which is permanently displayed at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto.
Crafted by Tiffany & Co., the Walter Cup is a sterling silver trophy weighing around 35 pounds and standing at 24 inches in height and 13 inches in width. Adorned with six W’s symbolizing the league’s original franchises, the cup’s base features engraved championship team names on a puck motif.
Montreal secured the cup by defeating Ottawa in May’s Game 4 to become the first Canadian team to claim the PWHL championship. The cup honors PWHL founder Mark Walter and his wife Kimbra, who have been pivotal in supporting the league’s development.
