Allan Cup Explained
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 | 1909 | Ottawa Cliffsides | Initial Champion, as IPAHU Champions | | Queen's University | Ottawa Cliffsides | 5-4 (1 gm) | Ottawa, Ontario | 1910 | Queen's University | McGill University | 7-2 (1 gm) | Ottawa, Ontario | | Queen's University | Ottawa Cliffsides | 6-3 (1 gm) | Kingston, Ontario | | Toronto St. Michael's Majors | Queen's University | 5-4 (1 gm) | Kingston, Ontario | | Toronto St. Michael's Majors | Sherbrooke | 8-3 (1 gm) | Toronto, Ontario | 1911 | Winnipeg Victorias | Toronto St. Michael's Majors | Default | | Winnipeg Victorias | Kenora Thistles | 16-10 (2 gms) | Winnipeg, Manitoba | 1912 | Winnipeg Victorias | Calgary Athletic Club | 19-6 (2 gms) | Winnipeg, Manitoba | | Winnipeg Victorias | Toronto Eaton's | 24-5 (2 gms) | Winnipeg, Manitoba | | Winnipeg Victorias | Regina Capitals | 9-3 (1 gm) | Winnipeg, Manitoba | 1913 | Winnipeg Hockey Club | Awarded as ManHL Champions | | Winnipeg Hockey Club | Moose Jaw Moose | 16-3 (2 gms) | Winnipeg, Manitoba | | Winnipeg Hockey Club | Edmonton Eskimos | 18-8 (2 gms) | Winnipeg, Manitoba | 1914 | Winnipeg Monarchs | Awarded as ManHL Champions | | Winnipeg Monarchs | Kenora Thistles | 6-2 (1 gm) | Winnipeg, Manitoba | | Regina Victorias | Winnipeg Monarchs | 5-4 (1 gm) | Winnipeg, Manitoba | | Regina Victorias | Grand-Mère | 10-5 (2 gms) | Regina, Saskatchewan | 1915 | Melville Millionaires | Awarded as SSHL Champions | | Melville Millionaires | Prince Albert Mintos | 15-13 (2 gms) | Melville/Prince Albert, Saskatchewan | | Melville Millionaires | Toronto Victorias | 15-11 (2 gms) | Melville, Saskatchewan | | Winnipeg Monarchs | Melville Millionaires | 7-6 (2 gms) | Melville, Saskatchewan | 1916 | Winnipeg 61st Battalion | Winnipeg Monarchs | 11-10 (2 gms) | Winnipeg, Manitoba | | Winnipeg 61st Battalion | Winnipeg Victorias | 5-3 (1 gm) | Winnipeg, Manitoba | | Winnipeg 61st Battalion | Fort William | 8-6 (2 gms) | Winnipeg, Manitoba | | Winnipeg 61st Battalion | Regina Victorias | 13-3 (2 gms) | Winnipeg, Manitoba | 1917 | Winnipeg Victorias | Awarded as WPL Champions | | Winnipeg Victorias | Winnipeg Union Canadienne | 22-11 (2 gms) | Winnipeg, Manitoba | | Winnipeg Victorias | Winnipeg 221st Battalion | 11-5 (2 gms) | Winnipeg, Manitoba | | Winnipeg Victorias | Port Arthur 141st Battalion | 10-5 (2 gms) | Winnipeg, Manitoba | | Toronto Dentals | Winnipeg Victorias | 13-12 (2 gms) | Winnipeg, Manitoba | 1918 | Kitchener Greenshirts | Toronto Dentals | 7-4 (2 gms) | Kitchener/Toronto, Ontario | | Kitchener Greenshirts | Port Arthur Columbus Club | 20-2 (1 gm) | Toronto, Ontario | | Kitchener Greenshirts | Winnipeg Ypres | 6-4 (2 gms) | Toronto, Ontario | |
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Playoffs
| Allan Cup Final Series/Round Robins | Year | Eastern Finalist | Western Finalist | Series | Primary Location | 1919 | Hamilton Tigers | Winnipeg Selkirks | 7-6 (gls) | Toronto, Ontario | 1920 | University of Toronto | Winnipeg Falcons | 5-11 (gls) | Toronto, Ontario | 1921 | University of Toronto | Brandon | 8-3 (gls) | Winnipeg, Manitoba | 1922 | Toronto Granites | Regina Victorias | 13-2 (gls) | Toronto, Ontario | 1923 | Toronto Granites | University of Saskatchewan | 11-2 (gls) | Winnipeg, Manitoba | 1924 | Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds | Winnipeg Selkirks | 6-3 (gls) | Toronto, Ontario | 1925 | University of Toronto | Port Arthur Bearcats | 0-2 | Winnipeg, Manitoba | 1926 | University of Toronto | Port Arthur Bearcats | 1-2-1 | Toronto, Ontario* | 1927 | University of Toronto Grads | Fort William Thundering Herd | 2-1-1 | Vancouver, British Columbia | 1928 | Montreal Victorias | University of Manitoba Bisons | 1-2 | Ottawa, Ontario | 1929 | Montreal St-Francois Xavier | Port Arthur Bearcats | 0-2-1 | Winnipeg, Manitoba | 1930 | Montreal Hockey Club | Port Arthur Bearcats | 2-0 | Toronto, Ontario | 1931 | Hamilton Tigers | Winnipeg Hockey Club | 0-2 | Winnipeg, Manitoba | 1932 | Toronto National Sea Fleas | Fort William Blues | 2-0 | Montreal, Quebec | 1933 | Moncton Hawks | Saskatoon Quakers | 2-0 | Vancouver, British Columbia | 1934 | Moncton Hawks | Fort William Beavers | 2-1 | Toronto, Ontario | 1935 | Halifax Wolverines | Port Arthur Bearcats | 2-0 | Halifax, Nova Scotia | 1936 | Sudbury Falcons | Kimberley Dynamiters | 0-2 | Winnipeg, Manitoba | 1937 | Sudbury Tigers | North Battleford Beavers | 3-2 | Calgary, Alberta | 1938 | Cornwall Flyers | Trail Smoke Eaters | 1-3 | Calgary, Alberta | 1939 | Royal Montreal Hockey Club | Port Arthur Bearcats | 1-3 | Montreal, Quebec | 1940 | Kirkland Lake Blue Devils | Calgary Stampeders | 3-0 | Toronto, Ontario | 1941 | Sydney Millionaires | Regina Rangers | 2-3-1 | Regina, Saskatchewan | 1942 | Ottawa RCAF Flyers | Port Arthur Bearcats | 3-2 | Ottawa, Ontario* | 1943 | Ottawa Army Commandos | Victoria Army | 3-1 | Calgary, Alberta* | 1944 | Quebec Aces | Port Arthur Shipbuilders | 3-0 | Quebec City, Quebec | 1944-45 Competition was Suspended due to World War II | 1946 | Hamilton Tigers | Calgary Stampeders | 1-4 | Calgary, Alberta* | 1947 | Royal Montreal Hockey Club | Calgary Stampeders | 4-3 | Montreal, Quebec* | 1948 | Ottawa Senators | Edmonton Flyers | 1-4 | Edmonton, Alberta* | 1949 | Ottawa Senators | Regina Capitals | 4-1 | Ottawa, Ontario* | 1950 | Toronto Marlboros | Calgary Stampeders | 4-1 | Calgary, Alberta* | 1951 | Owen Sound Mercurys | Fort Frances Canadians | 4-3 | Owen Sound, Ontario | 1952 | Stratford Indians | Fort Frances Canadians | 2-4 | Fort Frances, Ontario | 1953 | Kitchener-Waterloo Flying Dutchmen | Penticton V's | 4-1 | Kitchener, Ontario | 1954 | Sudbury Wolves | Penticton V's | 3-4 | Penticton, British Columbia* | 1955 | Kitchener-Waterloo Flying Dutchmen | Fort William Beavers | 4-1 | Kitchener, Ontario | 1956 | Chatham Maroons | Vernon Canadians | 1-4 | Vernon, British Columbia* | 1957 | Whitby Dunlops | Spokane Flyers | 4-0 | Toronto, Ontario | 1958 | Belleville McFarlands | Kelowna Packers | 4-3 | Kelowna, British Columbia* | 1959 | Whitby Dunlops | Vernon Canadians | 4-0 | Toronto, Ontario | 1960 | Chatham Maroons | Trail Smoke Eaters | 4-0-1 | Trail, British Columbia | 1961 | Galt Terriers | Winnipeg Maroons | 4-1 | Galt, Ontario | 1962 | Montreal Olympics | Trail Smoke Eaters | 1-4 | Trail, British Columbia | 1963 | Windsor Bulldogs | Winnipeg Maroons | 4-1 | Windsor, Ontario | 1964 | Woodstock Athletics | Winnipeg Maroons | 0-4 | Winnipeg, Manitoba | 1965 | Sherbrooke Beavers | Nelson Maple Leafs | 4-0 | Sherbrooke, Quebec | 1966 | Sherbrooke Beavers | Drumheller Miners | 2-4 | Calgary, Alberta | | 1967 | Drummondville Eagles | Calgary Spurs | 4-0 | Drummondville, Quebec | 1968 | Victoriaville Tigres | St. Boniface Mohawks | 4-1 | Winnipeg, Manitoba | 1969 | Galt Hornets | Calgary Stampeders | 4-0 | Galt, Ontario | 1970 | Orillia Terriers | Spokane Jets | 2-4 | Spokane, Washington | 1971 | Galt Hornets | Calgary Stampeders | 4-0 | Galt, Ontario | 1972 | Barrie Flyers | Spokane Jets | 2-4 | Spokane, Washington | 1973 | Orillia Terriers | St. Boniface Mohawks | 4-1 | Orillia, Ontario | 1974 | Barrie Flyers | Cranbrook Royals | 4-2 | Cranbrook, British Columbia | 1975 | Barrie Flyers | Thunder Bay Twins | 2-4 | Thunder Bay, Ontario | 1976 | Barrie Flyers | Spokane Flyers | 0-4 | Spokane, Washington | 1977 | Brantford Alexanders | Spokane Flyers | 4-1 | Brantford, Ontario | 1978 | Brantford Alexanders | Kimberley Dynamiters | 1-4 | Kimberley, British Columbia | 1979 | Petrolia Squires | Steinbach Huskies | 4-1 | Sarnia, Ontario | 1980 | Cambridge Hornets | Spokane Flyers | 0-4 | Spokane, Washington | Year | Champion | Runner-Up | Final score | Location | 1981 | Petrolia Squires | St. Boniface Mohawks | 5-1 | Thunder Bay, Ontario | Year | Eastern Finalist | Western Finalist | Series | Primary Location | 1982 | Petrolia Squires | Cranbrook Royals | 1-4 | Cranbrook, British Columbia | 1983 | Cambridge Hornets | St. Boniface Mohawks | 4-0 | Cambridge, Ontario | 1984 | Cambridge Hornets | Thunder Bay Twins | 1-4 | Thunder Bay, Ontario | 1985 | Corner Brook Royals | Thunder Bay Twins | 3-4 | Corner Brook, Newfoundland | 1986 | Corner Brook Royals | Nelson Maple Leafs | 4-0 | Nelson, British Columbia | 1987 | Brantford Motts Clamatos | Nelson Maple Leafs | 4-0 | Brampton, Ontario | 1988 | Charlottetown Islanders | Thunder Bay Twins | 0-4 | Thunder Bay, Ontario | Year | Champion | Runner-Up | Final Series | Location | 1989 | Thunder Bay Twins | St. Boniface Mohawks | 2-0 (Best-of-3) | Thunder Bay, Ontario | Year | Eastern Finalist | Western Finalist | Series | Primary Location | 1990 | Montreal-Chomedey Construction | Abbotsford Flyers | 4-2 | Vaudreuil, Quebec | 1991 | Charlottetown Islanders | Thunder Bay Twins | 4-0 | Thunder Bay, Ontario | Year | Champion | Runner-Up | Final score | Location | 1992 | Saint John Vito's | Stony Plain Eagles | 6-2 | Saint John, New Brunswick | 1993 | Whitehorse Huskies | Quesnel Kangaroos | 7-4 | Quesnel, British Columbia | 1994 | Warroad Lakers | St. Boniface Mohawks | 5-2 | Warroad, Minnesota | 1995 | Warroad Lakers | Stony Plain Eagles | 3-2 | Stony Plain, Alberta | 1996 | Warroad Lakers | Stony Plain Eagles | 6-1 | Unity, Saskatchewan | 1997 | Powell River Regals | Warroad Lakers | 7-3 | Powell River, British Columbia | 1998 | Truro Bearcats | London Admirals | 6-1 | Truro, Nova Scotia | 1999 | Stony Plain Eagles | Powell River Regals | 6-3 | Stony Plain, Alberta | 2000 | Powell River Regals | Lloydminster Border Kings | 4-1 | Lloydminster, Saskatchewan | 2001 | Lloydminster Border Kings | Petrolia Squires | 7-2 | Sarnia, Ontario | 2002 | St-Georges Garaga | Stony Plain Eagles | 4-2 | Powell River, British Columbia | 2003 | Île-des-Chênes North Stars | Stony Plain Eagles | 3-2 (2OT) | Dundas, Ontario | 2004 | St-Georges Garaga | Ministikwan Islanders | 5-0 | Saint-Georges, Quebec | 2005 | Thunder Bay Bombers | Montmagny Sentinelles | 4-3 | Lloydminster, Saskatchewan | 2006 | Powell River Regals | Whitby Dunlops | 7-1 | Powell River, British Columbia | 2007 | Lloydminster Border Kings | Whitby Dunlops | 4-3 | Stony Plain, Alberta | 2008 | Brantford Blast | Bentley Generals | 3-1 | Brantford, Ontario | 2009 | Bentley Generals | South East Prairie Thunder | 4-3 (2OT) | Steinbach, Manitoba | 2010 | Fort St. John Flyers | Bentley Generals | 4-1 | Fort St. John, British Columbia | 2011 | Clarenville Caribous | Bentley Generals | 5-3 | Kenora, Ontario | 2012 | South East Prairie Thunder | Rosetown Red Wings | 4-1 | Lloydminster, Saskatchewan | 2013 | Bentley Generals | Clarenville Caribous | 3-0 | Red Deer, Alberta | 2014 | Dundas Real McCoys | Clarenville Caribous | 3-2 (2OT) | Dundas, Ontario | 2015 | South East Prairie Thunder | Bentley Generals | 2-0 | Clarenville, Newfoundland and Labrador | 2016 | Bentley Generals | South East Prairie Thunder | 4-3 (OT) | Steinbach, Manitoba | 2017 | Grand Falls-Windsor Cataracts | Lacombe Generals | 7-4 | Bouctouche, New Brunswick[14] | 2018 | Stoney Creek Generals | Lacombe Generals | 7-4 | Rosetown, Saskatchewan | 2019 | Lacombe Generals | Innisfail Eagles | 5-2 | Lacombe, Alberta | 2020 | cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic[15] | Hamilton, Ontario | 2021 | cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic[16] | Hamilton, Ontario | 2022 | cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic | Hamilton, Ontario | 2023 | Dundas Real McCoys | Clarenville Caribous | 5-3 | Dundas, Ontario[17] | 2024 | Dundas Real McCoys | Southern Shore Breakers | 6-1 | Dundas, Ontario | |
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- Notes
denotes event held in multiple locationsMost championships by province
This is a list of champions by province, territory, or state.
(*) Two championships won by teams from Lloydminster are included only in the total for Saskatchewan.See also
External links
Notes and References
- Web site: Allan Cup Archives . May 12, 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20110515065832/http://www.allancup.ca/allancuparchivescores.htm. 15 May 2011 . live.
- News: Montreal Gazette . February 20, 1909 . Cup For Amateurs . 2 .
- News: Dominion Amateur Hockey Commission Is Now A Reality. December 5, 1914. Winnipeg Tribune. Winnipeg, Manitoba. 28.
- 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.
- News: Quilty Succeeds "Toby" Sexsmith as Hockey Leader. March 29, 1924. Winnipeg Free Press. Winnipeg, Manitoba. 19.
- News: Canadian Hockey Association Officials Reach Decision. February 25, 1925. Winnipeg Free Press. Winnipeg, Manitoba. 12.
- News: May Play Three Games For Allan Cup In Future. February 21, 1925. Winnipeg Free Press. Winnipeg, Manitoba. 17 .
- News: Hockey Body Believes Surplus Funds Should be Used for Game. March 26, 1927. Winnipeg Free Press. Winnipeg, Manitoba. 22 .
- News: Control of Allan Cup Goes to C.A.H.A.. March 26, 1927. Lethbridge Herald. Lethbridge, Alberta. 3 .
- News: No Allan Cup Competition?. February 26, 1945. Winnipeg Tribune. Winnipeg, Manitoba. 23 .
- News: Snap-ups. Kerner. Fred. February 21, 1945 . Medicine Hat Daily News. Medicine Hat, Alberta. 5.
- Web site: Honoured Member: Father David Bauer. Canada's Sports Hall of Fame. September 22, 2020.
- Book: Fleury, Theo . Theoren Fleury . Kirstie . McLellan Day . Kirstie McLellan Day . . . 2009 . 978-1-55468-239-3.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.