The Stanley Cup has been engraved with over 3,400 names since its inception. Only four official engravers have been responsible for this task. Players must appear in at least 41 regular-season games or one Stanley Cup Final game to be eligible for engraving, with a team able to petition for additional players' names in special cases. The maximum number of names per championship team is 55.
The first Stanley Cup champion was the Montreal Amateur Athletic Association in 1893, with the Ottawa Senators winning the first Cup competed for by only NHL teams in 1927. The Montreal Canadiens hold the record with 24 championships, which is the most of any team in NHL history.
Who are the European captains to win the Stanley Cup
There have been ten European-born captains to win the Stanley Cup. These include Aleksander Barkov from Finland in 2024, Gabriel Landeskog from Sweden in 2022, Alex Ovechkin from Russia in 2018, Zdeno Chara from Slovakia in 2011, Nicklas Lidström from Sweden in 2008, Johnny Gottselig from the Russian Empire in 1938, and Charlie Gardiner from Scotland in 1934, as per The Hockey Writers.
| Player | Country | Year(s) Won | Team |
| Aleksander Barkov | Finland | 2024 | Florida Panthers |
| Gabriel Landeskog | Sweden | 2022 | Colorado Avalanche |
| Zdeno Chara | Slovakia | 2011 | Boston Bruins |
| Nicklas Lidström | Sweden | 2008 | Detroit Red Wings |
| Johnny Gottselig | Russia (USSR) | 1938 | Chicago Blackhawks |
| Charlie Gardiner | Scotland | 1934 | Chicago Blackhawks |
| Dunc Munro | United Kingdom | 1926 | Montreal Maroons |
Read More: Who has been in the most Stanley Cup finals?
Dunc Munro - United Kingdom (1926)
Dunc Munro, born in Moray, United Kingdom, captained the Montreal Maroons to the Stanley Cup in 1926. He was the first non-Canadian-born captain to win the Cup.
Charlie Gardiner - Scotland (1934)
Charlie Gardiner, born in Edinburgh, Scotland, captained the Chicago Blackhawks to the Stanley Cup in 1934. He was also a two-time Vezina Trophy winner.
Johnny Gottselig - Soviet Union/Russia (1938)
Johnny Gottselig, born in Klosterdorf (or Odessa), Russian Empire, captained the Chicago Blackhawks to the Stanley Cup in 1938. He had also won the Cup as a player in 1934.
Nicklas Lidström - Sweden (2008)
Nicklas Lidström, born in Västerås, Sweden, captained the Detroit Red Wings to the Stanley Cup in 2008. He was a seven-time Norris Trophy winner and a four-time Cup champion (one as captain).
Zdeno Chara - Slovakia (2011)
Zdeno Chara, born in Trenčín, Slovakia, captained the Boston Bruins to the Stanley Cup in 2011. He was a Norris Trophy winner in 2009 and a seven-time All-Star.
Gabriel Landeskog - Sweden (2022)
Gabriel Landeskog, born in Stockholm, Sweden, captained the Colorado Avalanche to the Stanley Cup in 2022. He was also a Calder Trophy winner in 2012.
Aleksander Barkov - Finland (2024)
Aleksander Barkov, born in Tampere, Finland, captained the Florida Panthers to the Stanley Cup in 2024. He is a two-time Selke Trophy winner.
Read More: List of Stanley Cup MVPs
FAQs on Stanley Cup
A. Henri Richard holds the record for the most Stanley Cup championships, with 11 wins.
A. The Montreal Hockey Club won the first Stanley Cup in 1893.
A. The Boston Bruins have lost the most Stanley Cup finals, with 14 losses.
A. Sidney Crosby became the youngest captain to win the Stanley Cup at 21 years and 10 months in 2009.
A. Steve Yzerman is the longest-tenured captain in NHL history, serving as captain of the Detroit Red Wings for 19 seasons.
![Florida Panthers get back into Game 3 against Maple Leafs on controversial goal [WATCH]](https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2025/05/26118293-1746837260.jpeg?h=166)
