"Cup Winner" Eligibility Explained (What Counts)

Official Engraving Rules

The automatic criteria for Cup engraving:

Skaters:

• Must play at least 41 regular-season games for Cup-winning team, OR
• Play one game in Stanley Cup Finals

Goaltenders:

• Must play 41 regular-season games for Cup winner, OR
• Dress as backup or starter for at least one game in Stanley Cup Finals

Team Submissions: Each championship team can submit up to 52 names total, including:

• Players
• Coaches
• Management
• Staff

The 52-name limit allows teams flexibility but prevents entire organizations from being engraved.

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The 41-Game Threshold

Why 41 games determines engraving:

Half-Season Standard: 41 games represents half of 82-game regular season, showing significant contribution to team's success.

Examples:

• Player traded at deadline plays 30 games with Cup winner: Not automatically engraved
• Player plays 42 games then injured before playoffs: Automatically engraved
• Player scratched all playoffs but played 50 regular-season games: Automatically engraved

Finals Appearance Exception: One game in Finals guarantees engraving regardless of regular-season games. This recognizes playoff contribution's importance.

Petitions and Exceptions

How teams get non-qualifying players engraved:

Common Petition Cases:

Deadline Acquisitions: Player traded at deadline who was crucial in playoffs but didn't reach 41 regular-season games with new team.

Example: Rental player acquired February 28 who plays 15 regular-season games but entire playoff run may be petitioned.

Injured Players: Key player injured late in season or before Finals who was instrumental in getting team there.

Example: Player injured Game 80 of regular season after playing 75 games typically gets petitioned successfully.

Management/Staff: Teams often petition to include scouts, trainers, medical staff who contributed to championship.

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Famous Exception: Vladimir Konstantinov

The most notable Cup engraving exception:

The Situation:

• Konstantinov suffered career-ending accident June 13, 1997, six days after Detroit won 1997 Cup
• Could not play 1997-98 season
• Detroit won 1998 Cup without him

The Petition: Detroit successfully petitioned NHL to add Konstantinov's name to 1998 Cup despite playing zero games.

The Reasoning: Konstantinov's impact on team culture and his tragic accident made petition impossible to deny. Team wheeled him onto ice during celebration.

Legacy: This exception shows NHL allows emotional/exceptional circumstances to override strict games-played rules.

"Cup Winner" vs. "Name on the Cup"

Two different standards exist:

Cup Winner (Ring/Bonus):

• Teams treat all roster players under contract at time of win as Cup champions
• Receive championship rings
• Share in playoff bonus money
• Celebrated with team
• More inclusive standard

Name on Cup:

• Stricter eligibility
• Only those meeting games-played criteria or covered by approved petition
• Permanent engraving on trophy
• Higher bar for inclusion

Example: Black ace (practice squad player) who never dressed for playoff game still gets ring and bonus but likely not engraved unless team petitions.

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Common Fan Questions

Clarifying confusing eligibility scenarios:

"Does a black ace count as Cup winner?"

Yes for ring/bonus purposes if under contract. No for automatic engraving unless team petitions successfully.

"Does a guy scratched all playoffs get his name on Cup?"

If he played 41+ regular-season games, yes automatically. If not, team can petition but may not.

"What about players traded away before playoffs?"

Not eligible unless they meet 41-game threshold with Cup-winning team before trade.

"Do coaches and management get engraved?"

Yes, teams submit coaches, GMs, scouts, trainers as part of 52-name limit.

"Can you be on Cup twice in same year?"

No. If traded mid-season, only final team determines Cup eligibility.

Read more: Conn Smythe Trophy: What It Is & Every Winner

Recent Petition Examples

Modern cases where teams petitioned:

Deadline Rentals: Teams frequently petition for impactful deadline acquisitions who play fewer than 41 games but contribute heavily in playoffs.

Injured Veterans: Long-tenured players injured late in season usually get petitioned successfully if team wins.

Young Prospects: Teams sometimes petition for highly-touted prospects who spent most of season in minors but were called up for playoff depth.

Success Rate: Most reasonable petitions approved, especially for injured players or impactful deadline additions.

International Recognition

How other leagues handle championship eligibility:

KHL: Similar games-played thresholds for Gagarin Cup engraving.

European Leagues: Vary by league but generally more lenient than NHL's 41-game standard.

NHL Standard: Considered strict but fair, preventing entire organizations from claiming championships.

Read more: NHL Awards: What Each Trophy Means (Simple Guide)

The Verdict

The 41-game threshold or one Finals appearance creates clear standard for Stanley Cup engraving eligibility. Teams can petition for exceptional cases like Vladimir Konstantinov (1998) or crucial deadline acquisitions who miss games-played requirement.

"Cup winner" status for rings and bonuses is more inclusive than engraving, allowing all roster players to celebrate championship regardless of games played.

The 52-name submission limit balances recognition of organizational contributions with maintaining exclusivity of hockey's most famous trophy.

Read more: NHL Betting: The Ultimate Guide for the 2025/2026 Hockey Season

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