In a troubling turn of events for the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL), the Walter Cup failed to arrive at its scheduled destination for the second time in just over two weeks. This latest incident occurred when the trophy was expected at an event hosted by Athleta in Brighton, Michigan, on Saturday.
Montreal Victoire left winger Shiann Darkangelo took to Instagram to express her disappointment over the trophy's absence. "I know many of you were excited to see the Cup," she wrote, adding, "I’m genuinely disappointed that it won’t be there." The event was meant to celebrate the achievements of the Victoire, who claimed the PWHL championship earlier this year.
As of Saturday afternoon, the Walter Cup had yet to be delivered, though its location was known to a source close to the situation. This source, who requested anonymity, indicated that the PWHL was actively working to locate the trophy. The league had previously faced a similar issue when the Cup did not arrive in time for an event with Victoire forward Dara Greig in Lethbridge, Alberta, on August 20. At that time, the league released a statement confirming their efforts to track down the trophy.
Fortunately, the trophy was located and returned to Montreal on August 24, but the recurrence of this issue raises concerns regarding the reliability of the shipping company used by the league. The same shipping service was employed for both the August and September events, which has led to questions about their logistics and handling of such an important trophy.
In her Instagram post, Darkangelo apologized to fans who were eager to see the Cup, but she encouraged them to still attend the event for a chance to shop, take photos, and meet her. "I’ll still be at Athleta from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. if you’d like to shop, take a photo, and say hello. I’d love to see you there!" she wrote, attempting to maintain enthusiasm despite the setback.
It’s important to note that the trophy currently in question is not the actual Walter Cup, which is housed in the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto. The official trophy, measuring approximately 24 1/2 inches high, 13 inches wide, and weighing 35 pounds, was awarded to the Montreal Victoire after their victory over the Ottawa Charge in Game 4 of the PWHL championship in May. Each championship team is given a replica to keep and tour, which is what the league has been attempting to showcase at these events.
The PWHL, which was established in August 2023, is gearing up for its inaugural season, set to begin on January 1, 2024. Initially starting with six teams, the league plans to expand to eight teams in the 2025-26 season and 12 teams by 2026-27. The Minnesota Frost has already secured the first two championships, while the Montreal Victoire made history as the first Canadian team to win a title in 2026.
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