The Montreal Victoire’s Walter Cup championship trophy, which went missing during shipment, has been located and returned to the team, as confirmed by the Professional Women’s Hockey League on Monday. The PWHL released a brief statement expressing gratitude to all involved in the search efforts and acknowledging the support of their fans.
Last week, the trophy disappeared en route to Lethbridge, Alberta, where it was scheduled to be with Victoire forward Dara Greig. While a container arrived, it did not contain the trophy as expected. The league humorously remarked that the Walter Cup had its own off-season escapade and anticipated the Victoire’s upcoming celebrations with the cup.
Details regarding the recovery of the trophy and the circumstances of its disappearance remain undisclosed, with the PWHL simply stating that it was “lost in shipment.” The league had been collaborating with its shipping partner to locate the missing trophy. It is important to note that the trophy in question is a replica known as the team’s “keeper” cup, distinct from the official trophy housed at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto.
In May, Montreal clinched the Walter Cup by triumphing over Ottawa in Game 4 of a best-of-five series, becoming the first Canadian champion in PWHL history after Minnesota claimed the league’s initial two titles. The trophy is named after Mark Walter, the PWHL founder and major supporter, along with his wife, Kimbra. Mark Walter is recognized for his ownership of the Los Angeles Dodgers and his recent decision to divest his controlling interest in the Los Angeles Lakers.