Clarkson Cup Finds Permanent Home at Hockey Hall of Fame

While the permanent display of the Stanley Cup at Toronto’s Hockey Hall of Fame composes one of the highlights of any fan’s visit, a new trophy will also be on hand. The championship trophy of the Canadian Women’s Hockey League, the Clarkson Cup (known as the Stanley Cup for Women) was donated to the Hockey Hall of Fame for exhibit as of March 7, 2013.    

The Cup is named in the honor of former Governor General of Canada Adrienne Clarkson, who was on hand as part of the official donation. Other guests in attendance for the historic event included former Toronto Maple Leafs skater Ron Ellis, curator for the Hockey Hall of Fame Phil Pritchard and the president of the Ontario Women’s Hockey Association Fran Rider.

Representing the CWHL at the event included commissioner Brenda Andress, Brampton Thunder skater Gillian Apps and Toronto Furies goaltender (and CWHL co-founder) Sami Jo Small. Apps competed in the championship game of the Clarkson Cup in 2010 and 2012, while Small competed in the final during 2011. Of note, Apps and Small have both played for the Canadian national team in ice hockey at the Winter Games.

The concept for the Cup sprang during the NHL Lockout of 2004-05. Clarkson had suggested that women should be allowed to play for the Stanley Cup during the spring of 2005. While the opportunity never materialized, she would pay for the creation of a challenge cup that would be contested for by women’s players.

With the fifth anniversary of the Clarkson Cup this year, the team that can claim it will bring with it a more enhanced prestige and honor. Its new home at the Hockey Hall of Fame is a fitting tribute to the Cup’s impact and relevance in the world of women’s hockey.