Who Is the Keeper of the Cup? Phil Pritchard

In the world of professional hockey, one man stands out not for his on-ice prowess, but for his unique role.

Phil Pritchard, known as the Keeper of the Cup, is a figure of intrigue and respect.

His job? To safeguard and escort the Stanley Cup, the coveted prize of the National Hockey League (NHL).

As we look ahead to the 2024 Stanley Cup Finals, let's delve into the life and work of this fascinating individual.

The Role of the Keeper of the Cup

The Keeper of the Cup is a role steeped in tradition.

Phil Pritchard, in his white gloves, is tasked with ensuring the Stanley Cup's safety and integrity.

His duties extend beyond the Finals, overseeing the engraving process for the names of the winning team's players.

Pritchard's role is a bridge between the past, present, and future of hockey, maintaining the legacy and tradition of the Stanley Cup.

Phil Pritchard: The Man Behind the Gloves

Phil Pritchard has been with the Hockey Hall of Fame since 1988.

Part of his duties includes traveling with the Stanley Cup, a position he has held since his first week on the job. As “Keeper of the Cup”, Phil has also gained great notoriety for his role of walking the Stanley Cup out onto the ice to be presented to the NHL champions, a duty he has performed since 1994.

The trophy is given to each player of the championship team for a day which means Pritchard travels more than 150 days a year. He was also part of the “priceless” Mastercard television ads and more recently the Discover “Peggy” commercials as well as the Honda Fit and Enterprise commercials, he has also been in several different television shows and specials promoting the Stanley Cup.

Phil is passionate about teaching the history of hockey and he shares his knowledge and experience with students of his History of Hockey Course, through Sports Management Worldwide.

Phil guides his students on the inception of the game of hockey, its growth across the world, and how the NHL grew to be the largest hockey league in the world.

Memorable Moments with Phil Pritchard

Phil Pritchard has witnessed many memorable moments with the Cup.

His interactions with players and fans highlight the human aspect of the sport.

Pritchard's work helps maintain the legacy and tradition of the Stanley Cup.

These moments are a testament to the passion behind professional hockey.

The 2024 Stanley Cup Finals and the Keeper's Role

The 2024 Stanley Cup Finals will be another significant event for the Keeper of the Cup.

Phil Pritchard's work ensures that the Stanley Cup is ready for the annual presentation.

Once the final buzzer rings, Phil will prepare the Stanley Cup to be presented to either the Edmonton Oilers or the Florida Panthers. The Panthers are in pursuit of their first Stanley Cup and the Oilers are looking to secure it for the first time since 1990. It would be the Oilers' 6th Stanley Cup title.

Preserving Hockey's Legacy: Phil Pritchard's Contribution

In addition to his responsibilities with the Hockey Hall of Fame, Phil has served for many years on the Board of Directors for the International Sports Heritage Association (ISHA) as well as the Canadian Association of Sport Heritage (C.A.S.H).  Pritchard is a committee member for the Lester Patrick Award (which selects outstanding contributions to hockey in the United States) and sits on the International Ice Hockey Federation's “Historical Committee”.

Conclusion: The Importance of the Keeper of the Cup

Phil Pritchard's work as the Keeper of the Cup is vital to the legacy of the Stanley Cup. His presence ensures the Cup is respected and handled properly at all times.

Look for Phil after the end of tonight's Stanley Cup Finals, wearing his signature white gloves!

If you want to get to know Phil and learn from him, you can get signed up here for his course.

Or, if you're interested in other career paths in hockey, check out SMWW's Hockey Courses here!