The Stanley Cup is unlike any other sports trophy. With the names of players, coaches, and staff of winning teams engraved on its bands, the Stanley Cup carries around years of hockey history. Included in the names of some of the most successful people in hockey are various women who have helped their teams win this beloved trophy.
Women have a long history in hockey and have helped make many vital contributions to the sport. While the Stanley Cup was named after Lord Stanley of Preston, his daughter Lady Isobel Gathorne-Hardy is remembered as one of the earliest pioneers of women’s hockey and has a trophy of her own named in her honor. Today, the Isobel Cup is awarded annually to the Premier Hockey Federation (PHF) playoff winner.
This Women’s History Month, learn more about the women who have made their mark on the Stanley Cup!
How Many Women Have Their Names on the Stanley Cup?
Since the Stanley Cup was first awarded in 1893, 17 women have had their names engraved on it for their involvement in the winning teams. In some cases, these women have earned a spot for their names for multiple years.
The women on the Stanley Cup include:
Marguerite Norris – As president of the Detroit Red Wings when they won the Stanley Cup in 1954 and 1955, Norris was the first woman to have her name engraved on the Stanley Cup. Additionally, she was the first female team executive in the National Hockey League (NHL).
Sonia Scurfield – Scurfield was the co-owner of the Calgary Flames hockey team from 1985 to 1994 and had her name added to the Stanley Cup when the Flames won in 1989. She is also the only Canadian woman on the Stanley Cup.
Denise DeBartolo York – DeBartolo York had her name added to the Stanley Cup in 1991 while she was serving as president of the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Marian Ilitch – Illitch is an owner and secretary-treasurer of the Detroit Red Wings and has been included on the Stanley Cup four times with the team – 1997, 1998, 2002, and 2008.
Denise Ilitch Lites – As a minority owner of the Detroit Red Wings and former co-president of the business that manages the team, Illitch Lites has had her name engraved on the Stanley Cup four times – 1997, 1998, 2002, 2008.
Lisa Ilitch Murray – As a minority owner of the Detroit Red Wings, Illitch Murray has had her name engraved on the Stanley Cup four times – 1997, 1998, 2002, 2008.
Carole Ilitch – As a minority owner of the Detroit Red Wings, Illitch has had her name engraved on the Stanley Cup four times – 1997, 1998, 2002, 2008.
Marie Carnevale – The current Director of Hockey Operations for the New Jersey Devils had her name engraved on the Stanley Cup in 2000 when she was the assistant to the president-general manager.
Callie Smith – The New Jersey Devils had two women on staff when they won the Stanley Cup in 2000. Callie Smith was a scouting staff assistant when she had her name added to the Stanley Cup.
Charlotte Grahame – Grahame was the Director of Hockey Operations for the Colorado Avalanche in 2001 when the team won the Stanley Cup.
Nancy Beard – As an executive assistant in 2002 for the Detroit Red Wings, Nancy Beard had her name engraved on the trophy when the team won that year.
Kelly Kirwin – Kirwin had her name added to the Stanley Cup in 2006 when she was an event coordinator for the Carolina Hurricanes.
Susan Samueli – Samueli was included on the Stanley Cup as a team owner when the Anaheim Ducks won in 2007.
Margaret Jacobs – Margaret Jacobs, an owner of the Boston Bruins, was one of two women who had their names engraved on the Stanley Cup when the team won in 2011.
Dale Hamilton-Powers – As the Director of Operations for the Boston Bruins in 2011, Hamilton-Powers was included on the Stanley Cup when the team won that year.
Nancy Anschutz – Anshutz had her name engraved on the Stanley Cup in 2012 when she was a minority owner of the Los Angeles Kings and again in 2014 as an owner of the Kings.
Liz Koharski – Koharski is the most recent woman to have her name engraved on the Stanley Cup. She was the Director of Hockey Administration for the Tampa Bay Lightning when the team won in 2020.
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