Allan Cup Explained

Allan Cup
Current Season:2024 Allan Cup
Pixels:200px
Sport:Ice hockey
Inaugural:1909
Champion:Dundas Real McCoys (2023)
Most Champs:Port Arthur Bearcats/Thunder Bay Twins (9)
Website:HockeyCanada.ca
Tv:TSN

The Allan Cup is the trophy awarded annually to the senior ice hockey champions of Canada. It was donated by Sir Montagu Allan of Ravenscrag, Montreal, and has been competed for since 1909. The current champions are the Dundas Real McCoys, who captured the 2023 Allan Cup in Dundas, Ontario.

History

In 1908, a split occurred in the competition of ice hockey in Canada. The top amateur teams left the Eastern Canada Amateur Hockey Association, which allowed professionals, to form the new Inter-Provincial Amateur Hockey Union (IPAHU), a purely amateur league. The trustees of the Stanley Cup decided that the Cup would be awarded to the professional ice champion, meaning there was no corresponding trophy for the amateur championship of Canada. The Allan Cup was donated in early 1909 by Montreal businessman and Montreal Amateur Athletic Association president Sir H. Montagu Allan to be presented to the amateur champions of Canada. It was to be ruled like the Stanley Cup had, passed by champion to champion by league championship or challenge.[1] [2] Three trustees were named to administer the trophy: Sir Edward Clouston, President of the Bank of Montreal, Dr. H. B. Yates of McGill University, (donor of the Yates Cup to the Intercollegiate Rugby Union in 1898) and Graham Drinkwater, four-time Stanley Cup champion.

The trophy was originally presented to the Victoria Hockey Club of Montreal, Quebec, members of the IPAHU, to award to the champions of the IPAHU.[2] The first IPAHU champion, and by extension, first winner of the Cup was the Ottawa Cliffsides hockey club. After the season, the Cliffsides were defeated in the first-ever challenge by the Queen's University hockey club of Kingston, Ontario.

In the early years, trustees of the Cup quickly came to appreciate the difficulties of organizing a national competition in so large a country. In 1914, at the suggestion of one of the trustees, Claude C. Robinson, the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association (CAHA) was formed as a national governing body for the sport with W. F. Taylor as its first president.[3] [4] One of the CAHA's first decisions, in 1915, was to replace the challenge system with a series of national playoffs. Starting in 1920, the Allan Cup champion team would represent Canada in amateur play at the Olympics and World Championships. The CAHA used the profits from Allan Cup games as a subsidy for the national team.[5] Competition for the cup was originally a one-game format, then a two-game total goals format. In 1925, CAHA leaders Silver Quilty and Frank Sandercock, changed the format to a best-of-three series due to increased popularity of the games and demand for a longer series.[6] [7]

At the CAHA general meeting in March 1927, W. A. Fry requested to have the CAHA take control of the Allan Cup and its profits from the trustees, and use the funds to build amateur hockey in Canada. He felt the move justified as the CAHA had evolved and was able to manage its own affairs. His motion asked for H. Montagu Allan to donate the cup to the CAHA, and establish an Allan Cup committee which included trustee William Northey.[8] [9]

In February 1945, CAHA president Frank Sargent announced the cancellation of the 1945 Allan Cup playoffs. It was the first season in which the trophy was not contested since the inaugural 1909 Allan Cup.[10] The cancellation was caused by the reluctance to travel during wartime conditions, and the players' need to work rather than playing hockey.[11]

In 1951, the CAHA set up a "major league" of competition from the semi-pro and professional senior leagues. The leagues would no longer compete for the Allan Cup, but would compete for the new Alexander Cup. The Allan Cup would be competed for on a more purely amateur basis from teams in smaller centres of Canada. The major league concept broke up by 1953, and the Alexander Cup competition was retired after 1954.

The reigning Allan Cup champion was usually chosen to represent Canada in ice hockey at the Olympic Games or the Ice Hockey World Championships. The practice lasted from 1920 to 1964, when Father David Bauer established a permanent Canada men's national ice hockey team.[12]

Since 1984 the Allan Cup has been competed for by teams in the Senior AAA category. Although interest in senior ice hockey has diminished over its history, the Cup retains an important place in Canadian ice hockey. The Cup championship is determined in an annual tournament held in the city or town of a host team, playing off against regional champions.

The Cup has been won by teams from every province and from Yukon, as well as by two teams from the United States which played in Canadian leagues. The city with the most Allan Cup championships is Thunder Bay with 10, including four won as Port Arthur before the city's amalgamation. The original Cup has been retired to the Hockey Hall of Fame, and a replica is presented to the champions.[13]

Allan Cup championships

Challenges

Listed are all of the challenges of the early years of the Allan Cup, bolded are the final winner of the season.

Allan Cup Challenge Series
Year Champion Finalist Goal total Location
1909Ottawa CliffsidesInitial Champion, as IPAHU Champions
Queen's UniversityOttawa Cliffsides5-4 (1 gm)Ottawa, Ontario
1910Queen's UniversityMcGill University7-2 (1 gm)Ottawa, Ontario
Queen's UniversityOttawa Cliffsides6-3 (1 gm)Kingston, Ontario
Toronto St. Michael's MajorsQueen's University5-4 (1 gm)Kingston, Ontario
Toronto St. Michael's MajorsSherbrooke8-3 (1 gm)Toronto, Ontario
1911Winnipeg VictoriasToronto St. Michael's MajorsDefault
Winnipeg VictoriasKenora Thistles16-10 (2 gms)Winnipeg, Manitoba
1912Winnipeg VictoriasCalgary Athletic Club19-6 (2 gms)Winnipeg, Manitoba
Winnipeg VictoriasToronto Eaton's24-5 (2 gms)Winnipeg, Manitoba
Winnipeg VictoriasRegina Capitals9-3 (1 gm)Winnipeg, Manitoba
1913Winnipeg Hockey ClubAwarded as ManHL Champions
Winnipeg Hockey ClubMoose Jaw Moose16-3 (2 gms)Winnipeg, Manitoba
Winnipeg Hockey ClubEdmonton Eskimos18-8 (2 gms)Winnipeg, Manitoba
1914Winnipeg MonarchsAwarded as ManHL Champions
Winnipeg MonarchsKenora Thistles6-2 (1 gm)Winnipeg, Manitoba
Regina VictoriasWinnipeg Monarchs5-4 (1 gm)Winnipeg, Manitoba
Regina VictoriasGrand-Mère10-5 (2 gms)Regina, Saskatchewan
1915Melville MillionairesAwarded as SSHL Champions
Melville MillionairesPrince Albert Mintos15-13 (2 gms)Melville/Prince Albert, Saskatchewan
Melville MillionairesToronto Victorias15-11 (2 gms)Melville, Saskatchewan
Winnipeg MonarchsMelville Millionaires7-6 (2 gms)Melville, Saskatchewan
1916Winnipeg 61st BattalionWinnipeg Monarchs11-10 (2 gms)Winnipeg, Manitoba
Winnipeg 61st BattalionWinnipeg Victorias5-3 (1 gm)Winnipeg, Manitoba
Winnipeg 61st BattalionFort William8-6 (2 gms)Winnipeg, Manitoba
Winnipeg 61st BattalionRegina Victorias13-3 (2 gms)Winnipeg, Manitoba
1917Winnipeg VictoriasAwarded as WPL Champions
Winnipeg VictoriasWinnipeg Union Canadienne22-11 (2 gms)Winnipeg, Manitoba
Winnipeg VictoriasWinnipeg 221st Battalion11-5 (2 gms)Winnipeg, Manitoba
Winnipeg VictoriasPort Arthur 141st Battalion10-5 (2 gms)Winnipeg, Manitoba
Toronto DentalsWinnipeg Victorias13-12 (2 gms)Winnipeg, Manitoba
1918Kitchener GreenshirtsToronto Dentals7-4 (2 gms)Kitchener/Toronto, Ontario
Kitchener GreenshirtsPort Arthur Columbus Club20-2 (1 gm)Toronto, Ontario
Kitchener GreenshirtsWinnipeg Ypres6-4 (2 gms)Toronto, Ontario

Playoffs

Allan Cup Final Series/Round Robins
Year Eastern Finalist Western Finalist Series Primary Location
1919Hamilton TigersWinnipeg Selkirks7-6 (gls)Toronto, Ontario
1920University of TorontoWinnipeg Falcons5-11 (gls)Toronto, Ontario
1921University of TorontoBrandon8-3 (gls)Winnipeg, Manitoba
1922Toronto GranitesRegina Victorias13-2 (gls)Toronto, Ontario
1923Toronto GranitesUniversity of Saskatchewan11-2 (gls)Winnipeg, Manitoba
1924Sault Ste. Marie GreyhoundsWinnipeg Selkirks6-3 (gls)Toronto, Ontario
1925University of TorontoPort Arthur Bearcats0-2Winnipeg, Manitoba
1926University of TorontoPort Arthur Bearcats1-2-1Toronto, Ontario*
1927University of Toronto GradsFort William Thundering Herd2-1-1Vancouver, British Columbia
1928Montreal VictoriasUniversity of Manitoba Bisons1-2Ottawa, Ontario
1929Montreal St-Francois XavierPort Arthur Bearcats0-2-1Winnipeg, Manitoba
1930Montreal Hockey ClubPort Arthur Bearcats2-0Toronto, Ontario
1931Hamilton TigersWinnipeg Hockey Club0-2Winnipeg, Manitoba
1932Toronto National Sea FleasFort William Blues2-0Montreal, Quebec
1933Moncton HawksSaskatoon Quakers2-0Vancouver, British Columbia
1934Moncton HawksFort William Beavers2-1Toronto, Ontario
1935Halifax WolverinesPort Arthur Bearcats2-0Halifax, Nova Scotia
1936Sudbury FalconsKimberley Dynamiters0-2Winnipeg, Manitoba
1937Sudbury TigersNorth Battleford Beavers3-2Calgary, Alberta
1938Cornwall FlyersTrail Smoke Eaters1-3Calgary, Alberta
1939Royal Montreal Hockey ClubPort Arthur Bearcats1-3Montreal, Quebec
1940Kirkland Lake Blue DevilsCalgary Stampeders3-0Toronto, Ontario
1941Sydney MillionairesRegina Rangers2-3-1Regina, Saskatchewan
1942Ottawa RCAF FlyersPort Arthur Bearcats3-2Ottawa, Ontario*
1943Ottawa Army CommandosVictoria Army3-1Calgary, Alberta*
1944Quebec AcesPort Arthur Shipbuilders3-0Quebec City, Quebec
1944-45 Competition was Suspended due to World War II
1946Hamilton TigersCalgary Stampeders1-4Calgary, Alberta*
1947Royal Montreal Hockey ClubCalgary Stampeders4-3Montreal, Quebec*
1948Ottawa SenatorsEdmonton Flyers1-4Edmonton, Alberta*
1949Ottawa SenatorsRegina Capitals4-1Ottawa, Ontario*
1950Toronto MarlborosCalgary Stampeders4-1Calgary, Alberta*
1951Owen Sound MercurysFort Frances Canadians4-3Owen Sound, Ontario
1952Stratford IndiansFort Frances Canadians2-4Fort Frances, Ontario
1953Kitchener-Waterloo Flying DutchmenPenticton V's4-1Kitchener, Ontario
1954Sudbury WolvesPenticton V's3-4Penticton, British Columbia*
1955Kitchener-Waterloo Flying DutchmenFort William Beavers4-1Kitchener, Ontario
1956Chatham MaroonsVernon Canadians1-4Vernon, British Columbia*
1957Whitby DunlopsSpokane Flyers4-0Toronto, Ontario
1958Belleville McFarlandsKelowna Packers4-3Kelowna, British Columbia*
1959Whitby DunlopsVernon Canadians4-0Toronto, Ontario
1960Chatham MaroonsTrail Smoke Eaters4-0-1Trail, British Columbia
1961Galt TerriersWinnipeg Maroons4-1Galt, Ontario
1962Montreal OlympicsTrail Smoke Eaters1-4Trail, British Columbia
1963Windsor BulldogsWinnipeg Maroons4-1Windsor, Ontario
1964Woodstock AthleticsWinnipeg Maroons0-4Winnipeg, Manitoba
1965Sherbrooke BeaversNelson Maple Leafs4-0Sherbrooke, Quebec
1966Sherbrooke BeaversDrumheller Miners2-4Calgary, Alberta
1967Drummondville EaglesCalgary Spurs4-0Drummondville, Quebec
1968Victoriaville TigresSt. Boniface Mohawks4-1Winnipeg, Manitoba
1969Galt HornetsCalgary Stampeders4-0Galt, Ontario
1970Orillia TerriersSpokane Jets2-4Spokane, Washington
1971Galt HornetsCalgary Stampeders4-0Galt, Ontario
1972Barrie FlyersSpokane Jets2-4Spokane, Washington
1973Orillia TerriersSt. Boniface Mohawks4-1Orillia, Ontario
1974Barrie FlyersCranbrook Royals4-2Cranbrook, British Columbia
1975Barrie FlyersThunder Bay Twins2-4Thunder Bay, Ontario
1976Barrie FlyersSpokane Flyers0-4Spokane, Washington
1977Brantford AlexandersSpokane Flyers4-1Brantford, Ontario
1978Brantford AlexandersKimberley Dynamiters1-4Kimberley, British Columbia
1979Petrolia SquiresSteinbach Huskies4-1Sarnia, Ontario
1980Cambridge HornetsSpokane Flyers0-4Spokane, Washington
Year Champion Runner-Up Final score Location
1981Petrolia SquiresSt. Boniface Mohawks5-1Thunder Bay, Ontario
Year Eastern Finalist Western Finalist Series Primary Location
1982Petrolia SquiresCranbrook Royals1-4Cranbrook, British Columbia
1983Cambridge HornetsSt. Boniface Mohawks4-0Cambridge, Ontario
1984Cambridge HornetsThunder Bay Twins1-4Thunder Bay, Ontario
1985Corner Brook RoyalsThunder Bay Twins3-4Corner Brook, Newfoundland
1986Corner Brook RoyalsNelson Maple Leafs4-0Nelson, British Columbia
1987Brantford Motts ClamatosNelson Maple Leafs4-0Brampton, Ontario
1988Charlottetown IslandersThunder Bay Twins0-4Thunder Bay, Ontario
Year Champion Runner-Up Final Series Location
1989Thunder Bay TwinsSt. Boniface Mohawks2-0 (Best-of-3)Thunder Bay, Ontario
Year Eastern Finalist Western Finalist Series Primary Location
1990Montreal-Chomedey ConstructionAbbotsford Flyers4-2Vaudreuil, Quebec
1991Charlottetown IslandersThunder Bay Twins4-0Thunder Bay, Ontario
Year Champion Runner-Up Final score Location
1992Saint John Vito'sStony Plain Eagles6-2Saint John, New Brunswick
1993Whitehorse HuskiesQuesnel Kangaroos7-4Quesnel, British Columbia
1994Warroad LakersSt. Boniface Mohawks5-2Warroad, Minnesota
1995Warroad LakersStony Plain Eagles3-2Stony Plain, Alberta
1996Warroad LakersStony Plain Eagles6-1Unity, Saskatchewan
1997Powell River RegalsWarroad Lakers7-3Powell River, British Columbia
1998Truro BearcatsLondon Admirals6-1Truro, Nova Scotia
1999Stony Plain EaglesPowell River Regals6-3Stony Plain, Alberta
2000Powell River RegalsLloydminster Border Kings4-1Lloydminster, Saskatchewan
2001Lloydminster Border KingsPetrolia Squires7-2Sarnia, Ontario
2002St-Georges GaragaStony Plain Eagles4-2Powell River, British Columbia
2003Île-des-Chênes North StarsStony Plain Eagles3-2 (2OT)Dundas, Ontario
2004St-Georges GaragaMinistikwan Islanders5-0Saint-Georges, Quebec
2005Thunder Bay BombersMontmagny Sentinelles4-3Lloydminster, Saskatchewan
2006Powell River RegalsWhitby Dunlops7-1Powell River, British Columbia
2007Lloydminster Border KingsWhitby Dunlops4-3Stony Plain, Alberta
2008Brantford BlastBentley Generals3-1Brantford, Ontario
2009Bentley GeneralsSouth East Prairie Thunder4-3 (2OT)Steinbach, Manitoba
2010Fort St. John FlyersBentley Generals4-1Fort St. John, British Columbia
2011Clarenville CaribousBentley Generals5-3Kenora, Ontario
2012South East Prairie ThunderRosetown Red Wings4-1Lloydminster, Saskatchewan
2013Bentley GeneralsClarenville Caribous3-0Red Deer, Alberta
2014Dundas Real McCoysClarenville Caribous3-2 (2OT)Dundas, Ontario
2015South East Prairie ThunderBentley Generals2-0Clarenville, Newfoundland and Labrador
2016Bentley GeneralsSouth East Prairie Thunder4-3 (OT)Steinbach, Manitoba
2017Grand Falls-Windsor CataractsLacombe Generals7-4Bouctouche, New Brunswick[14]
2018Stoney Creek GeneralsLacombe Generals7-4Rosetown, Saskatchewan
2019Lacombe GeneralsInnisfail Eagles5-2Lacombe, Alberta
2020cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic[15] Hamilton, Ontario
2021cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic[16] Hamilton, Ontario
2022cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemicHamilton, Ontario
2023Dundas Real McCoysClarenville Caribous5-3Dundas, Ontario[17]
2024Dundas Real McCoysSouthern Shore Breakers6-1Dundas, Ontario
Notes
  • denotes event held in multiple locations

    Most championships by province

    This is a list of champions by province, territory, or state.

    Allan Cups by Province/State
    Rank Region Championships
    1 Ontario 51
    2 Manitoba 12
    3 British Columbia 11
    4 Quebec 9
    5 Alberta 8*
    6 Saskatchewan 4*
    - Washington 4
    8 Minnesota 3
    - New Brunswick 3
    10 Newfoundland and Labrador 4
    - Nova Scotia 2
    11 Prince Edward Island 1
    - Yukon 1
    (*) Two championships won by teams from Lloydminster are included only in the total for Saskatchewan.

    See also

    External links

    Notes and References

    1. Web site: Allan Cup Archives . May 12, 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20110515065832/http://www.allancup.ca/allancuparchivescores.htm. 15 May 2011 . live.
    2. News: Montreal Gazette . February 20, 1909 . Cup For Amateurs . 2 .
    3. News: Dominion Amateur Hockey Commission Is Now A Reality. December 5, 1914. Winnipeg Tribune. Winnipeg, Manitoba. 28.
    4. News: Amateur Hockey Body Formed At Great Ottawa Conference. December 5, 1914. Winnipeg Free Press. Winnipeg, Manitoba. 6.
      News: Amateur Hockey Body Formed At Great Ottawa Conference (Continued From Page Six). December 5, 1914. Winnipeg Free Press. Winnipeg, Manitoba. 7.
    5. News: Quilty Succeeds "Toby" Sexsmith as Hockey Leader. March 29, 1924. Winnipeg Free Press. Winnipeg, Manitoba. 19.
    6. News: Canadian Hockey Association Officials Reach Decision. February 25, 1925. Winnipeg Free Press. Winnipeg, Manitoba. 12.
    7. News: May Play Three Games For Allan Cup In Future. February 21, 1925. Winnipeg Free Press. Winnipeg, Manitoba. 17 .
    8. News: Hockey Body Believes Surplus Funds Should be Used for Game. March 26, 1927. Winnipeg Free Press. Winnipeg, Manitoba. 22 .
    9. News: Control of Allan Cup Goes to C.A.H.A.. March 26, 1927. Lethbridge Herald. Lethbridge, Alberta. 3 .
    10. News: No Allan Cup Competition?. February 26, 1945. Winnipeg Tribune. Winnipeg, Manitoba. 23 .
    11. News: Snap-ups. Kerner. Fred. February 21, 1945 . Medicine Hat Daily News. Medicine Hat, Alberta. 5.
    12. Web site: Honoured Member: Father David Bauer. Canada's Sports Hall of Fame. September 22, 2020.
    13. Book: Fleury, Theo . Theoren Fleury . Kirstie . McLellan Day . Kirstie McLellan Day . . . 2009 . 978-1-55468-239-3.
    14. News: Birds lose Allan Cup bid to News Brunswick. February 9, 2016. May 8, 2016. February 10, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160210091157/http://www.innisfailprovince.ca/article/Birds-lose-Allan-Cup-bid-to-New-Brunswick-20160209. dead.
    15. Hockey Canada Statement in Response to Coronavirus (COVID-19) . 2020-03-12 . . HG Communications . 2023-04-16 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200314193431/https://hockeycanada.ca/en-ca/news/2020-news-hockey-canada-ends-season . 2020-03-14 . live.
    16. Hockey Canada Statement on Spring 2021 National Championships . 2021-02-05 . . 2023-04-16 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210205184257/https://www.hockeycanada.ca/en-ca/news/2021-news-national-events-cancelled . 2021-02-05 . live.
    17. News: Allan Cup Challenge Schedule Update . 2023-03-23 . . 2023-04-16 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230415164510/https://allancup.pointstreaksites.com/view/allancup/allan-cup-hockey-news/news_543245 . 2023-04-15 . live.