Stanley Cup rings have a fascinating history that dates back to the 19th century when the Montreal franchise handed out gold bands to players on the championship club.
As late as 1965, however, players were sometimes asked to buy their own rings. Considering the average NHL player’s salary at the time, it was a bit of a sacrifice. Jean Beliveau had to spend $60 for his 1959 Montreal Canadiens Stanley Cup championship ring. That same ring sold at auction a few years ago for $69,000.
The championship ring ritual we know today wasn’t always in practice. The Canadiens made winning such a habit that in 1971, they skipped the bling and gave each player the hottest new electronic gi
zmo on the market—a color TV. Watches or medals were the norm in the first half of the 20th century, but the 1927 Ottawa Senators did present their players with championship rings.
The growing interest in championship rings and other sports memorabilia has pushed a lot of former players and executives to sell their memorabilia.
Hockey memorabilia collectors are extremely passionate and whenever a Stanley Cup ring comes on the block, there is usually interest if the price tag is reasonable. Like World Series, Super Bowl or NBA Finals rings, hockey championship rings are now treasured by those to whom they’re given. Yet former NHL players have been surrendering their rings at a record pace in recent years, thanks in part to the prices achieved at auction. That’s hurt the average collector who can’t shell out tens of thousands of dollars for an authentic Stanely Cup ring.
The most garish rings have been issued in recent years including the 2007 Anaheim Mighty Ducks, which contained an amazing collection of 110 diamonds.
Fortunately, there are salesman’s sample and replica rings for sale on the market for a more reasonable price and they attract a following, even if the players are the only one whose rings are adorned with diamonds. You can sometimes score a real one on eBay, but replica Stanley Cup rings for sale are often found on eBay. Just check the listing sample below. The higher the quality of the replica, the more money it will require to purchase.
