The Stanley Cup is the championship trophy awarded annually to the National Hockey League (NHL) playoff winner. It is the oldest existing trophy to be awarded to a professional sports franchise in North America. First awarded in 1893 to the Montreal Amateur Athletic Association (AAA), the trophy was donated by Lord Stanley of Preston, who was the Governor General of Canada at the time. Since 1926, only teams that win the NHL playoffs have had their names engraved on the cup. The team that has won the Stanley Cup the most times in NHL history is the Montreal Canadiens, with 24 championship wins.
Brief History of the Stanley Cup
The Stanley Cup was first awarded to the top-ranked amateur ice hockey team in Canada in 1893, then later became the championship trophy for various professional leagues before becoming the NHL’s championship trophy in 1926. Here is a brief overview of the history of the Stanley Cup:
- 1893 – Lord Stanley of Preston purchases a decorative punch bowl for 10 guineas and awards it to Canada’s top-ranked amateur ice hockey club, the Montreal AAA.
- 1909 – The Eastern Canada Hockey Association becomes the first professional league to compete for the Cup.
- 1910 – The National Hockey Association (NHA) is formed and competes for the Cup.
- 1917 – The National Hockey League (NHL) is formed with teams formerly of the NHA and continues to compete annually for the Stanley Cup.
- 1926 – The NHL takes sole possession of the Cup.
- Since 1927, only NHL teams have competed for the Stanley Cup.
So while various leagues have competed for the trophy, the NHL has had exclusive control over awarding the Stanley Cup since 1926. All engraving of championship teams on the trophy reflects NHL winners since that year.
Which Team Has Won the Stanley Cup the Most?
As mentioned, the NHL team that has won the Stanley Cup the most times in history is the Montreal Canadiens, with 24 total championships. This is followed closely by the Toronto Maple Leafs with 13 Cup wins.
Here is a summary of the top 10 NHL teams ranked by total Stanley Cup wins:
| Rank | Team | Total Stanley Cup Wins |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Montreal Canadiens | 24 |
| 2 | Toronto Maple Leafs | 13 |
| 3 | Detroit Red Wings | 11 |
| 4 | Boston Bruins | 6 |
| 5 | Chicago Blackhawks | 6 |
| 6 | Edmonton Oilers | 5 |
| 7 | Pittsburgh Penguins | 5 |
| 8 | New York Islanders | 4 |
| 9 | New York Rangers | 4 |
| 10 | New Jersey Devils | 3 |
As shown, the Canadiens are far and away the leader with 24 Cup wins since the NHL took control of the trophy in 1927. This includes a dominant stretch where they won 5 straight Stanley Cups from 1956 to 1960.
Stanley Cup Dynasties
While the Canadiens have won the most Cups overall, some other franchises have put together impressive championship runs that stood out as dynasties:
- Toronto Maple Leafs – Won 3 straight Cups from 1947 to 1949 and 4 Cups in 5 years from 1962 to 1967.
- Detroit Red Wings – Won 4 Cups in 6 years from 1997 to 2002.
- New York Islanders – Won 4 straight Cups from 1980 to 1983.
- Edmonton Oilers – Won 5 Cups in 7 years from 1984 to 1990.
- Montreal Canadiens – As mentioned, won 5 straight from 1956 to 1960. Also won 4 straight from 1976 to 1979.
These dynastic runs demonstrate prolonged periods of dominance by some of the most celebrated teams in NHL history. The Islanders and Oilers dynasties in the early 80s were led by all-time greats like Mike Bossy, Bryan Trottier, Wayne Gretzky, and Mark Messier.
Breakdown of Stanley Cup Wins By Decade
Looking at Stanley Cup wins broken down decade by decade also provides an interesting snapshot of which teams were most dominant during different eras of NHL history:
1920s
- Ottawa Senators – 4 wins (1920, 1921, 1923, 1927)
- Toronto Maple Leafs – 1 win (1922)
- Montreal Maroons – 1 win (1926)
The Ottawa Senators were the first NHL dynasty, winning 4 of the first 7 Cups awarded by the league.
1930s
- Toronto Maple Leafs – 3 wins (1932, 1942, 1945)
- Montreal Canadiens – 2 wins (1930, 1931)
- Detroit Red Wings – 2 wins (1936, 1937)
- New York Rangers – 1 win (1933)
- Chicago Black Hawks – 1 win (1934)
A relatively balanced decade with no repeat champions. The Leafs and Canadiens emerge as the teams to beat.
1940s
- Toronto Maple Leafs – 3 wins (1947, 1948, 1949)
- Detroit Red Wings – 2 wins (1943, 1950)
- Montreal Canadiens – 1 win (1944)
The Maple Leafs cement themselves as the first NHL dynasty by winning 3 straight to close out the decade.
1950s
- Montreal Canadiens – 6 wins (1953, 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960)
- Detroit Red Wings – 4 wins (1950, 1952, 1954, 1955)
- Toronto Maple Leafs – 1 win (1951)
The Canadiens emerge as a dynasty, winning 5 consecutive Cups in the late 50s after the Red Wings win 4 in the early part of the decade.
1960s
- Toronto Maple Leafs – 4 wins (1962, 1963, 1964, 1967)
- Montreal Canadiens – 2 wins (1965, 1968)
- Chicago Black Hawks – 1 win (1961)
The Maple Leafs return to dominance, winning 4 Cups including 3 in a row to start the 60s.
1970s
- Montreal Canadiens – 6 wins (1971, 1973, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979)
- Philadelphia Flyers – 2 wins (1974, 1975)
- Boston Bruins – 2 wins (1970, 1972)
The Canadiens put together another dynasty in the late 70s, winning 4 straight cups again. The Broad Street Bullies Flyers establish themselves as a force as well.
1980s
- New York Islanders – 4 wins (1980, 1981, 1982, 1983)
- Edmonton Oilers – 4 wins (1984, 1985, 1987, 1988)
- Montreal Canadiens – 2 wins (1986, 1989)
- Pittsburgh Penguins – 1 win (1991)
- Calgary Flames – 1 win (1989)
The Islanders and Oilers emerge as the league’s dominant teams, splitting 8 Cup wins between their dynasties.
1990s
- Detroit Red Wings – 2 wins (1997, 1998)
- Pittsburgh Penguins – 2 wins (1991, 1992)
- New Jersey Devils – 1 win (1995)
- New York Rangers – 1 win (1994)
- Colorado Avalanche – 1 win (1996)
- Dallas Stars – 1 win (1999)
No back-to-back Cup winners in a parity-driven decade. The Red Wings start a mini-dynasty at the end of the 90s.
2000s
- Detroit Red Wings – 3 wins (2002, 2008)
- New Jersey Devils – 3 wins (2000, 2003)
- Colorado Avalanche – 2 wins (2001)
- Pittsburgh Penguins – 1 win (2009)
- Tampa Bay Lightning – 1 win (2004)
- Carolina Hurricanes – 1 win (2006)
- Anaheim Ducks – 1 win (2007)
- Chicago Blackhawks – 1 win (2010)
The Red Wings add two more Cups to continue their run. Parity reigns again with 8 different champions.
2010s
- Chicago Blackhawks – 3 wins (2010, 2013, 2015)
- Los Angeles Kings – 2 wins (2012, 2014)
- Pittsburgh Penguins – 2 wins (2016, 2017)
- St. Louis Blues – 1 win (2019)
- Boston Bruins – 1 win (2011)
- Washington Capitals – 1 win (2018)
The Blackhawks become a modern dynasty. The Kings, Penguins and Bruins add multiple titles as well.
Conclusion
In summary, the Montreal Canadiens are far and away the most successful NHL franchise with 24 Stanley Cup wins. Their dominant stretches through the 50s, 70s and late 90s cemented their status as the league’s greatest dynasty. Other memorable dynasties include the Maple Leafs in the 40s and 60s, the Islanders and Oilers in the 80s, and more recently the Red Wings in the late 90s to 2000s and the Blackhawks in the 2010s. While various teams have taken turns as the league’s dominant franchise, the Canadiens have maintained a level of excellence over decades that is unmatched in NHL history. Their 24 Stanley Cup wins makes them the undisputed leader for the most championships won.
