A legacy of champions: The complete list of Stanley Cup winners

There’s no greater symbol of hockey glory than the Stanley Cup. For over a century, it’s been the dream of every NHL player—a silver trophy etched with the names of legends who left it all on the ice.

From dynasties to Cinderella stories, the journey to lift the Cup is as thrilling as the game itself. Each year, one team writes its name into the sport’s most sacred history book, while fans around the world hold their breath.

But who has reached the summit? Which franchises built legacies—and which had their moment in the sun? Dive into our full year-by-year breakdown and relive the triumphs that shaped hockey’s past and present.

The history and significance of the Stanley Cup

The Stanley Cup is more than a trophy, it’s a hallowed artifact in the world of sports, steeped in over a century of tradition, fierce competition, and iconic history. Its origins date back to 1892, when Lord Frederick Stanley, then Governor General of Canada, purchased a modest silver bowl for ten guineas in Sheffield, England.

Members of the Vegas Golden Knights pose with the Stanley Cup after defeating the Florida Panthers to win the championship in Game Five of the 2023 NHL Stanley Cup Final. (Source: Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

His vision was to award it to the best amateur hockey team in Canada. That team, in 1893, was the Montreal Amateur Athletic Association, the first to etch its name into what would become a living piece of history.

Over time, the Cup evolved from an amateur prize into a professional conquest. By 1915, it was contested by champions of rival pro leagues. In 1926, after the dissolution of competing associations, the NHL assumed full control, transforming the Stanley Cup into its ultimate prize.

Today, it’s not just North America’s oldest professional sports trophy—it’s an icon of hockey culture, passed from generation to generation, player to player, with white gloves and reverence.

Chronological list of Stanley Cup winners

Unforgettable finals and legendary moments

Certain Stanley Cup Finals transcend sport and become cultural moments. One of the most talked-about in recent memory were the 2024 and 2025 series between the Florida Panthers and the Edmonton Oilers.

Matthew Tkachuk #19 of the Florida Panthers lifts the Stanley Cup after Florida’s 2-1 victory against the Edmonton Oilers in Game Seven of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final. (Source: Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)

In 2024, it went the full seven games, a nail-biting, emotionally charged battle that ended with a 2–1 victory for the Panthers. For Florida, it was a franchise-first championship, and for Aleksander Barkov, it marked his place in history as the first Finnish-born captain to lift the Cup.

On the other side, Edmonton’s Connor McDavid delivered a jaw-dropping performance throughout the postseason, earning the Conn Smythe Trophy as MVP despite falling short in the final game, a rare feat, last achieved in 2003.

In 2025, the Panthers got the job done again, only that this time, it took them six games instead of seven. Despite not having home-ice advantage, the Cats proved they were serious about repeating and got to lift their second Stanley Cup at home, joining the list of back-to-back champions in NHL history.

Of course, not every historic moment ends with a celebration. In 1919, the Final was canceled due to the deadly Spanish flu, leaving the Montreal Canadiens and Seattle Metropolitans with an unfinished series—and a tragic asterisk in Cup history.

Meanwhile, in 1993, the Montreal Canadiens claimed what remains the last Stanley Cup for a Canadian team, extending their own record to 24 championships, a figure untouched to this day.

These Finals are more than wins and losses. They’re etched in the hearts of fans and written into the mythology of the sport—battles of endurance, heartbreak and glory that define what it means to chase the Cup.

Which team owns the most Stanley Cups?

The Montreal Canadiens are the most successful team in the history of the NHL, with an impressive 24 Stanley Cup championships to their name. Their first Cup win came in 1916, and they’ve continued to add to their trophy collection over the years, with their most recent title in 1993.

Much of the Canadiens’ success can be attributed to their dominance in the mid-20th century, particularly during the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s. This was the era when they built their reputation as a hockey dynasty, capturing multiple championships in short periods.

Their ability to develop elite talent, both homegrown and acquired, helped them maintain their place at the top for decades. Even with changes in the game over the years, including the introduction of the salary cap in the 2000s, Montreal’s rich history continues to be a point of pride for its passionate fan base.