The Stanley Cup (French: La Coupe Stanley), awarded annually to the National Hockey League (NHL) champion, is the most coveted ice hockey club championship trophy in the world. It is commonly referred to as "The Cup", "The Holy Grail", or facetiously (chiefly by sportswriters) as "Lord Stanley's Mug". The Stanley Cup is surrounded by numerous legends and traditions, the oldest of which is the celebratory drinking of champagne out of the Cup by the winning team. Unlike the trophies awarded by the other three major professional sports leagues of North America, a new Stanley Cup is not made each year; Cup winners keep it until a new champion is crowned. It is the only trophy in professional sports that has the name of all the winning players, coaches, management, and club staff engraved on it. (more...)