The Professional Women’s Hockey League announced on Friday that the Walter Cup, belonging to the Montreal Victoire, the league’s champion, is currently missing. According to a statement from the PWHL, the trophy did not reach its intended destination, prompting efforts to locate it in collaboration with the shipping company.
The trophy was scheduled to be transported to Lethbridge, Alberta, for a celebratory event with Victoire forward Dara Greig. However, upon arrival, the container carrying the cup was found empty, causing Greig to postpone her appearance with the trophy at a public event at VisitLethbridge.com Arena.
Unlike the Stanley Cup in the NHL, the PWHL does not assign a dedicated individual to accompany the Walter Cup during its travels to player events. The missing Walter Cup is a replica given to championship-winning teams to retain, distinct from the trophy presented on the ice. The original trophy is permanently housed at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto.
Crafted by Tiffany & Co., the Walter Cup is constructed from sterling silver, weighing approximately 35 pounds and standing 24 inches tall by 13 inches wide. Adorned with six engraved W’s symbolizing the league’s original franchises, the cup is supported by hockey stick-shaped rods, with the base featuring the names of past championship teams.
Montreal secured the cup by defeating Ottawa in a decisive Game 4 match in May, marking the first Canadian team to claim the PWHL title. The trophy bears the name of PWHL founder and main financier Mark Walter, owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers, and his wife Kimbra.