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dreilly1 · Jan 29, 2005, 10:27 AM

From http://www.freestanley.com/mission.html :

Free Stanley's mission is to make sure there are Stanley Cup playoffs this hockey season. We love the Stanley Cup playoffs and we love the Cup. We believe it is the best trophy in all of sport, and it should not be denied to the best hockey team is playing this season. If there is no NHL season the Stanley Cup should then be awarded to the best hockey team in Canada, which was Lord Stanley's original intent for the Cup.
...
We propose that the Stanley Cup be returned to its original challenge cup format. For now this challenge would be limited to a competition among the remaining top level hockey leagues operating in Canada. An end of season tournament involving the winner of the Canada University Hockey Championship , the Memorial Cup winner, the Allan Cup winner (senior men's hockey), and the best team from among the Canadian minor professional hockey league teams in leagues such as the AHL and ECHL. Should the NHL ever start playing again, its champion - however determined -- might also be allowed into the challenge tournament. The competition should also eventually grow to allow other amateur and minor pro leagues to compete (the Calder Trophy winner, the winner of the University championship etc.)
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As the competition takes off as a result of being liberated from the NHL, the challenge cup format might be expanded to adopt the British FA Cup format. There the Football Association organizes a complex year-long competition that attracts about 600 participants ranging from amateur and semi-professional sides to the largest and wealthiest clubs, such as Manchester United and Arsenal.

I think this is a great idea. Just because the NHL isn't playing doesn't mean nobody is playing hockey in North America. Maybe if something like this happens, it would make the NHL owners and players realize that the sport is bigger than they are, and can go on without them if they insist on being so stubborn...

Super Nova · Jan 29, 2005, 10:31 PM

bringing the stanley cup to canada? it's an american tradition, even if it was intended to be in Canada. It seems a bit desperate to me....

SuperNova

Kilbey · Jan 29, 2005, 10:38 PM

It's a stupid idea.

There are still plenty of Games being played in the USA. I have a team located about 16 miles from my house. The Flint Generals

Apple Pro Underwear · Jan 29, 2005, 10:39 PM

it's a trophy

it doesn't have emotions

get over it. i love my yanks but you dont see me crying a river everytime they lose

ReggieX · Jan 29, 2005, 11:23 PM

Originally posted by Super Nova:
bringing the stanley cup to canada? it's an american tradition, even if it was intended to be in Canada. It seems a bit desperate to me....

What the heck are you talking about, "American tradition?"

dreilly1 · Jan 30, 2005, 07:53 AM

You all don't get it... the Stanley Cup has a unique history, which goes back farther than the NHL. It would be a shame for that history to end just because a bunch of millionaires are arguing with a few billionaires over how to divvy up more money.

And yes, that history is Canadian. But if you read the site (or even just what I quoted), they don't advocate taking the trophy back to Canada and leaving it there. They do advocate having a tournament that includes all the major pro and college leagues in Canada, which includes quite a few American teams.

You could even argue that the Stanley Cup's charter should be broadened to include all of North America (heck, there have got to be a few Mexicans who can play hockey!) The important thing isn't necessarily who plays for the cup, but that the best teams we have at the moment get a chance to play for it. Right now, that's not the NHL, because they're not playing!

Kilbey · Jan 30, 2005, 02:00 PM

Originally posted by dreilly1:
You all don't get it... the Stanley Cup has a unique history, which goes back farther than the NHL. It would be a shame for that history to end just because a bunch of millionaires are arguing with a few billionaires over how to divvy up more money.

And yes, that history is Canadian. But if you read the site (or even just what I quoted), they don't advocate taking the trophy back to Canada and leaving it there. They do advocate having a tournament that includes all the major pro and college leagues in Canada, which includes quite a few American teams.

Why not all American teams?

wdlove · Jan 31, 2005, 10:35 AM

I don't miss Hockey at all, maybe by next Fall they will all be willing to compromise.

dreilly1 · Jan 31, 2005, 11:04 AM

Originally posted by Kilbey:
Why not all American teams?

Only because the cup has a Canadian heritage, and also because it is much more feasable to include only a few of the top leagues this time around. It wouldn't be feasable to include all Canadian teams, either. Maybe if they go ahead and do this and it is successful, there can be a broader contest in a few years, like the British FA cup format that was suggested.

Kilbey · Jan 31, 2005, 08:31 PM

Originally posted by dreilly1:
Only because the cup has a Canadian heritage, and also because it is much more feasable to include only a few of the top leagues this time around. It wouldn't be feasable to include all Canadian teams, either. Maybe if they go ahead and do this and it is successful, there can be a broader contest in a few years, like the British FA cup format that was suggested.

If this is the idea, then it is a stupid idea. The Stanley Cup has become a NHL trophey and should stay as such.

Super Nova · Jan 31, 2005, 10:38 PM

Originally posted by wdlove:
I don't miss Hockey at all

agreed, maybe except for the fights. But that's pretty lame if that's all the sport is ever watched for.

SuperNova

Mafia · Jan 31, 2005, 11:08 PM

Originally posted by Super Nova:
agreed, maybe except for the fights. But that's pretty lame if that's all the sport is ever watched for.

SuperNova

nhl fights are weak compared to minor league fights. watching my towns minor league team was like watching boxing on ice. i never really watch nhl but now that its not on i wanna watch a game! bah xbox will do i guess.

Kilbey · Jan 31, 2005, 11:14 PM

Originally posted by Mafia:
nhl fights are weak compared to minor league fights. watching my towns minor league team was like watching boxing on ice. i never really watch nhl but now that its not on i wanna watch a game! bah xbox will do i guess.

I went to a fight once and a hockey game broke out.

far200 · Jan 31, 2005, 11:31 PM

I still have great hockey being played around my area....AHL....University.........junior A...

the NHL thinks It can strike and we'll all feel that everyone should get a raise... Well I say when they find a deal between the owners and NHLPA that we the fans should strike for better seat prices and food prices at the rinks....... that will show both sides who really is in charge..