The O’Brien Trophy
First Awarded: 1910
First Winner: Montreal Wanderers
Last Awarded: 1949-1950
Last Winner: New York Rangers
Given For: Being the Stanley Cup loser runner-up, among other things.
The O’Brien Trophy — also known as the O’Brien Cup — was first given out to the National Hockey Association champions from 1910 to 1917. It was named after Ambrose O’Brien, who founded the NHA. Back then, the Stanley Cup wasn’t owned by any league; a team had to be champions in their own league before they could challenge for the Stanley Cup. Thus, many teams that won the O’Brien Trophy also went on to win the Stanley Cup.
When the NHA disbanded, the O’Brien Trophy was awarded to the NHL playoff champions. Once the NHL assumed control of the Stanley Cup, making that their ultimate prize, the purpose of the O’Brien Trophy shifted. First, it was given to the best team in the Canadian Division, while the American Division winners would get the Prince of Wales Trophy. But for a 12-year span from 1938-39 to 1949-50, the O’Brien Trophy was given to the runner-up in the Stanley Cup Finals; that is, to the team that lost the Stanley Cup. After that, the NHL retired the trophy.
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