The first Stanley coupling was awarded to the Montreal Hockey Club in 1893, but the tradition of teams regularly donating rings to the Hall of Fame is somewhat new.
According to Cup Keeper Phil Pritchard, it was former duck general manager Brian Burke who began streaks when he donated the ring after Anaheim won the Cup in 2007.
Since then, all championship teams have done the same thing.
“Amazing,” Barkov said. “I’ve been here a few times. It’s always great to be here as a huge hockey fan and it’s amazing that it’s now a part of history. Presenting the ring as well as my teammates was great. Certainly, it was memorable.”
The donated ring that received the special honor was an exact copy of Barkov’s Ring.
“Obviously, that means a lot,” Barkov said. “As a young child, you don’t even dream of this kind of thing. Having your name in this type of place is huge. I’m just happy about it.”
Before placing the ring on the championship display case, Barkov and Reinhart showed it off to the masses who gathered it, making it really visible to the kids in attendance.
Jaws hits the floor, as you can imagine.
“It was great,” Barkov said. “I was one of the kids that day.”
Following time at Florida’s Championship Display, the diamond-covered ring will eventually move to a special section of the Hockey Hall of Fame, known as the Vault of Lord Stanley.
In addition to the original Stanley Cup housing, The Vault also boasts a vast collection of retired Stanley Cup bands and unique artifacts, as well as the walls of the Championship ring.
The Panthers, who now lead the Atlantic Division, hope to add another ring to the wall next year.
For more information about the Hockey Hall of Fame, click here.
