When was the last time a Canadian team won the Stanley Cup?

Hockey’s deep roots are intertwined with Canadian culture, stretching back to 1875 when the inaugural organized game was puck-dropped. The sport has since woven itself into the fabric of the Great White North, becoming a quintessential part of its identity.

It’s no surprise, then, that the NHL holds such sway in Canada. Canadians don’t just watch hockey; they inhale it like a double-double from Tim Hortons. Their fandom is more intricate and passionate than a Zamboni’s maneuvering on freshly flooded ice.

Despite this fervor, Canada’s love affair with the NHL hasn’t seen a Stanley Cup journey north in three decades. Sure, Canadian teams have danced tantalizingly close to the championship, their fans tantalized with dreams of sipping from Lord Stanley’s Cup once more. But alas, the cup has remained south, tauntingly out of reach.

Could 2024 be the year the drought ends? The Edmonton Oilers have boldly stormed into the Stanley Cup Final, igniting hopes that the championship might finally return to Canadian soil.

And just how long has it been since that glorious Cup last graced Canada’s borders? The answer lies in the dusty annals of hockey history, revealing who hoisted the trophy last for Canada’s NHL teams.

Last Canadian team to win the Stanley Cup

Since the Montreal Canadiens hoisted the Stanley Cup in 1993, no Canadian team has managed to replicate their success. The Canadiens, known as the winningest team in NHL history, clinched their championship by defeating the Los Angeles Kings in a thrilling series.

Montreal’s journey to the 1993 Stanley Cup was marked by memorable victories and dramatic moments. They began their playoff run by dispatching the Nordiques in six games, followed by a sweep of the Buffalo Sabres and a five-game series win against the New York Islanders. Led by key players like Patrick Roy, Vincent Damphousse, and Kirk Muller, the Canadiens faced adversity early in the Final, falling behind 1-0 after a Game 1 loss to the Kings.

However, the series took a turn in Game 2 when Marty McSorley of the Kings was penalized for using an illegal stick. With the Canadiens trailing 2-1 late in the third period, Eric Desjardins capitalized on the power play opportunity, knotting the game at 2-2. Desjardins then went on to score the game-winning goal in overtime, setting the stage for Montreal’s historic run of three consecutive overtime victories. They ultimately clinched the series 4-1 with a dominant performance in Game 5 at the Montreal Forum.

Despite numerous close calls and valiant efforts, no Canadian team has lifted the Stanley Cup since then. The Vancouver Canucks, Calgary Flames, Edmonton Oilers, Ottawa Senators, and more recently, the Montreal Canadiens in 2021, have all reached the Stanley Cup Final but fell short in their quest for hockey’s ultimate prize. Each team brought their own brand of excitement and heartbreak to the finals, showcasing the depth of talent and passion for hockey across Canada.

While the NHL landscape has shifted over the years, and Canadian teams continue to strive for another championship, the Canadiens remain the last team to celebrate a Stanley Cup victory on Canadian soil. As hockey fans eagerly await the next chapter in this storied quest, the legacy of Montreal’s 1993 triumph continues to resonate throughout the Great White North.