digg

Join DiggAbout

The Digg Crew wants to hear your thoughts!
Please take our short survey about Digg and potential feature ideas.

See the original image at thehockeynews.com —

Crazy Superstition: Don't Touch The Trophy

thehockeynews.com — Players refuse to touch the Prince of Wales Trophy and the Clarence Campbell Bowl.

show profanity settings
expand all
  • NightcrawlerX, on 05/21/2008, -5/+41Can't touch this! ♫
  • redwinging, on 05/21/2008, -11/+3just in case bad luck
  • publishcron, on 05/21/2008, -1/+10Does anyone know who started this new tradition?
    • drakenlot, on 05/21/2008, -0/+1I think it was early '90s, it's definitely not an old tradition.
    • Raedyn, on 05/21/2008, -1/+1The last time the Red Wings touched that trophy was the last time they were beat in the Stanley Cup Finals. They vowed never to touch it again.
      • mustaphou, on 05/21/2008, -1/+2Did you even read the article?

        "As captain of the Detroit Red Wings, Yzerman also won four conference championships, three of which resulted in Stanley Cup victories and he had no problem lifting the Clarence Campbell Bowl."

        They've won 3 Cups since the last time they lost a cup in '95.
        • HappyScrappy, on 05/21/2008, -1/+1As an avid Wings fan since the 80s, I'm pretty sure he's wrong about Yzerman lifting the Campbell Cup, he only lifted it once. But he did touch it after that, he didn't just touch the table like Lidstrom is pictured doing.
        • drakenlot, on 05/21/2008, -0/+1Dude, if you believe this moron of a writer and his 'facts', then research, he's mistaken on nearly every 'fact'
        • PaulOwen, on 05/21/2008, -0/+2It's because the trophy is shiny and polished so he's a little bit nervous around it, and after so many knocks to the head, he has trouble remembering last week - let alone last year when he used to pick the trophy up ...

          Mystery solved.
    • HappyScrappy, on 05/21/2008, -2/+1Despite what the article says, it was Steve Yzerman.

      The first time the Detroit won the Campbell Cup in the early 90s after 30+ years not winning it, Steve Yzerman celebrated winning it. After that, he significantly toned down the ceremony. I believe the first time, he lifted it and after that he would merely touch while leaving it on the table.

      I don't know who decided if not lifting it was good, not touching it was better.

      It's all horse hooey, but so are playoff beards, and those seem to be popular. Besides, it adds color. Every time I see a picture of some average joe touching the Stanley Cup (like a coworker), I always think "well, he'll never win it now" to myself. I think those kind of goofy associates give fans something to hold on to and talk about, and that's a good thing.
  • snohman, on 05/21/2008, -7/+3If it aint broke dont fix it!!
  • EdmontonEh, on 05/21/2008, -2/+17From Wikipedia

    Another tradition (or rather superstition) which is prevalent among today's NHL players is that no player should touch the Cup itself until his team has rightfully won the Cup.[5] Adding to this superstition is some players' choice to neither touch nor hoist the conference trophies (Clarence S. Campbell Bowl and Prince of Wales Trophy) when these series have been won; the players feel that the Stanley Cup is the true championship trophy, and only it should be hoisted.[6] However, in 1994, Stephane Matteau, then of the New York Rangers, admitted that he tapped the Wales Trophy with his stick's blade before the overtime period in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals.[7] Matteau subsequently scored the game-winning goal in double overtime against the New Jersey Devils, and the Rangers won the Stanley Cup. Scott Stevens hoisted the trophy as well in 2000, after the New Jersey Devils came back from a 3-1 series deficit to defeat the Philadelphia Flyers in seven games (Incidentally, Stevens did not touch the trophy in 1995, 2001 or 2003, the three other seasons when the Devils won the East). In 2002 the Carolina Hurricanes hoisted the Prince of Wales Trophy after they won their conference title, because their winning season was so unexpected;[8] the Hurricanes lost their Finals series with the Detroit Red Wings four games to one. The superstition held true in 2004, as Jarome Iginla of the Calgary Flames grabbed the Campbell Bowl, but Dave Andreychuk of the Tampa Bay Lightning refused to touch the Prince of Wales Trophy; the Lightning won the Stanley Cup in seven games. In 2007, Daniel Alfredsson and Wade Redden of the Ottawa Senators touched and picked up the Prince of Wales Trophy, respectively, but Anaheim Ducks captain Scott Niedermayer never came close to the Campbell Bowl; the Ducks won the Stanley Cup in five games.
    • bstew22, on 05/21/2008, -10/+1just link it next time. or make it look nice at least.
    • mustaphou, on 05/21/2008, -0/+2Actually, Stevens did pick up the Prince of Whales trophy in 2003 because he felt the team should be proud of what they accomplished in the Eastern Conference Finals. They even had a team picture taken with the trophy right after the game.
    • cha5e, on 05/21/2008, -1/+9So...the reason I haven't won the Cup yet is because I touched it at the Hockey Hall of Fame? Well, that makes me feel a lot better - I was thinking it's because I can barely skate.
  • IphtashuFitz, on 05/21/2008, -1/+6Just about every sport is rife with all sorts of superstitions. From "rally caps" in baseball to "The Madden Curse" in Football to the isolation of pitchers, catchers, goalies, etc. in order to avoid jinxing no-hitters, perfect games, etc. Just google "sports superstitions" and you'll find all sorts of them mentioned.
    • drakenlot, on 05/21/2008, -1/+2Hockey is one that has some of the biggest superstitions. Just look at playoff beards, even fans do it.
    • Grimdotdotdot, on 05/21/2008, -1/+1Well, isolation isn't that much of a superstition. You don't want to put off your pitcher by shouting "JUST ONE MORE STRIKE, DUDE!", do you?
  • silver26, on 05/21/2008, -15/+7Wings in seven.
    • drakenlot, on 05/21/2008, -8/+2Screw them, Wings can ***** themselves.
    • slappy83, on 05/21/2008, -2/+7***** Pittsburgh! Wings in 4.
    • ktk1336, on 05/21/2008, -7/+6Pens in six. Go Pens!!!!
    • Prescottonian, on 05/21/2008, -1/+4Wings in 6, First two to Detroit then back and forth to 6.
  • Blakechi, on 05/21/2008, -14/+6Go Wings!
  • DeadSkinMask, on 05/21/2008, -8/+66Hockey is the greatest sport on earth.
    • Y2JCrisis, on 05/21/2008, -0/+2Try telling that to soccer honks. They won't hear it!
    • SLockhart, on 05/21/2008, -0/+2Hockey and Canadian Football.
  • BryanG412, on 05/21/2008, -11/+16Whoaaa "lack of respect", it's tradition to not touch the Trophy...Let's Go Pens!
  • mecharabbit, on 05/21/2008, -2/+5That Clarence Campbell Bowl looks kind of heavy. I for one would not want Nick Lidstrom to risk an injury prior to the Stanley Cup finals.
  • wanny19, on 05/21/2008, -2/+15They don't celebrate it because they haven't won what they want... no one wants the prince of wales trophy on there mantle
    • winmywii, on 05/21/2008, -0/+4I'm sure they like winning the conference, but everyone want The Cup.
    • drakenlot, on 05/21/2008, -1/+2Exactly, they think that celebrating the conference means they are satisfied with second-place.

      I know I would be happy to win it, but my thoughts would be on getting to lift the Big One.
  • Steinr, on 05/21/2008, -16/+2I thought Hockey players were real men, here they behave like children.
    • knetworx, on 05/21/2008, -1/+2Every sport is full of superstitions. I've heard of football players that wear the same underwear all the way through the playoffs. Or maybe that was a movie... Eh, who cares.
  • corryface, on 05/21/2008, -10/+3if everyone actually takes a second and thinks about supersticion, then it will soon become evident that its a load of *****. How is it possible for the outcome of a match be decided if you put your left sock on first, or tie your laces a certain way. its just all mental.
    • Smiths, on 05/21/2008, -1/+2Brilliant deduction there!
    • brandonelliott, on 05/21/2008, -1/+2you've never played sports before. and if you have, you've never had the passion and desire to win and be the best. the feeling of winning or having won from your own hard work and practice is something that cannot be replicated by anything.
    • rhkaloge, on 05/21/2008, -1/+2Half (well, maybe 40%) of winning a game with an equally match opponent is mental. If you can convince yourself you will win because you're wearing blue, you're half way there.
  • slappy83, on 05/21/2008, -2/+17Is it just me or does the Hockey News have a bunch of total ass clowns writing their articles?
    • poploserdigg, on 05/21/2008, -2/+1"Is it just me or does DIGG have a bunch of total ass clowns submitting articles?"

      fixed.
  • IronDuke83, on 05/21/2008, -1/+4These are the people that don't shave for six weeks out of superstition and we're focused on them not touching a trophy?
  • drakenlot, on 05/21/2008, -3/+33The author is an idiot.

    They don't disrespect it, disrespecting the trophies would be refusing to take a picture with it.
    Choosing not to lift it is simply because they feel Lord Stanley's mug is the prize, which makes perfect sense, who in they're right mind chooses to be satisfied with second place.
  • kd420, on 05/21/2008, -8/+3When people stop believing in religion, the bride seeing the groom before the marriage, or any of the other stupid superstitions THEN people can talk about sports superstitions. Even this one has SOME merit to it, not wanting to lose focus on the Stanley Cup. He's being respectful, he's smiling for the picture :)
  • carl67lp, on 05/21/2008, -3/+6Hockey players are a very superstitious bunch, to be sure. But so are hockey fans. I'm a big Red Wings fan, and Monday morning I got up from bed and thought about the Wings game coming up that evening--how they had lost two in a row and needed Game 6 badly. I looked at my beard in the mirror and thought, "Ever since I let this beard get overly long, they started losing."

    So I trimmed it. They won.

    Hockey fans are a superstitious bunch, indeed.
    • drakenlot, on 05/21/2008, -1/+6That's it, grow it again so they lose to the Pens.
    • winmywii, on 05/21/2008, -0/+1I heard that Detroit still had some empty seats in the last series. Is this true? I would expect more from the fans in hockeytown. Even thought he pens are going to kick some ass.
      • carl67lp, on 05/21/2008, -0/+4Empty seats indeed. It's the economy. It used to be that the Joe always sold out. Now, with people getting laid off left and right, and with gas prices what they are, people simply can't afford to go.

        The fans are still there supporting the Red Wings, they just can't afford to go to the Joe to do it.
        • winmywii, on 05/21/2008, -0/+1That's is what I figured. Detroit has it pretty rough right now. Good luck in the series.
      • vvargoal, on 05/21/2008, -0/+1There are plenty of fans, but those tickets are damn expensive. If i want a ticket to the finals, i have to shell out 350. It's a shame too, I want to see the Wings crush the penguins.
    • BrewBeau, on 05/21/2008, -0/+2It's a good thing you didn't decide to kill someone that day. It would be a shame if that was the reason they won.
    • vvargoal, on 05/21/2008, -0/+1That's crazy. I've haven't touched the playoff beard since game 1, and the wings have dominated all the way through. You're welcome.
    • adrames, on 05/21/2008, -0/+1Both times the Avalanche won the Stanley Cup, my family was moving to/from Colorado. They won't win again until I move back.
  • winmywii, on 05/21/2008, -1/+23Any day hockey news makes the front page is a good day in my book.
    • drakenlot, on 05/21/2008, -0/+1I beg to differ, any hockey news is good, but from hockeynews.com is just a bad day going to get worse.
      • winmywii, on 05/21/2008, -0/+1it's thehockeynews.com btw. I have never even heard of the site, but if the rest of the stuff on there is anything like this article it is crap. For some reason I still had to digg it because it's NHL news.
  • mendicant, on 05/21/2008, -4/+4Iginla touched the trophy in 03/04. That's why Gelinas goal didn't count in Game 6. It wasn't lack of review by the NHL, it was KARMA.

    Also, I hope the Wings die a terrible death in this series. I think they're the better team, but I hope to god that they lose, the bums.
  • poidh, on 05/21/2008, -2/+16Superstition: just as crazy as believing in a bearded man in the sky, since 70,000BC.

    /just made a wish that I'll get Dugg up.
    • BrewBeau, on 05/21/2008, -1/+5Maybe God feels that if he shaves his beard, then Satan will win the Stanley cup.
      • knetworx, on 05/21/2008, -0/+3God never was a fan of New Jersey.
        • drakenlot, on 05/21/2008, -0/+2No one is, even Satan, who lives there, wants out.
  • MikeonTV, on 05/21/2008, -4/+3Malkin will get the Conn Smythe.
    • crowbar77, on 05/21/2008, -0/+1Maybe but Crosby has been playing better than him lately, if with the ankle still obviously bothering him. My guess is if the Pens win, Fleury will win it. Their are to many offensive weapons just to pick a forward.
      • winmywii, on 05/21/2008, -0/+1I think Malkin has been playing way better than Crosby has throughout the playoffs and the end of the regular season. He really stepped his game up. I wouldn't be surprised if we find out Crosby is injured after they win the cup.
        • crowbar77, on 05/21/2008, -0/+1I agree with you that Malkin definitely has more of the "Wow" factor right now, but to me Crosby is playing a much more of a complete game. Just look at how he hard he back checks, in the last game he not only prevented a goal but caused one on the other side of the ice. He's been much more consistent as well, Malkin is more of sleeper and was silent during most of the philly series.

          As for the injury it could just be the ankle and the fact he missed 30 games this season, I guess we'll find out in a couple weeks.
        • drakenlot, on 05/21/2008, -0/+1That sort of after injuries always happen.

          Look at the Avs, five major players were injured and still managed to finish the series.

          Wolski had a couple friggin broken ribs, that would definitely be a month or two injury is it was regular season.
    • Jorin, on 05/21/2008, -1/+1Another hockey tradition is that every conn smythe winner has been Canadian. With Crosby starting to light it up and Malkin waning (probably because he got hit during the Philly series) I think Crosby has a better chance.
    • DennisPwnsj00, on 05/21/2008, -0/+1Ozzie ftw.
  • DrHockey, on 05/21/2008, -0/+3I love the superstitions in hockey but I'd like to point out that Scott Stevens picked up the Prince of Wales trophy and carried it off the ice after the Devils beat the Flyers in the '95 ECF. The Devils went on to annihilate the Red Wings in the Stanley Cup finals 4-0.
  • poploserdigg, on 05/21/2008, -1/+1Would have been more digg-worthy if he had written "Don Cherry misinformed on something? That's unpossible!"
  • apoupada, on 05/21/2008, -1/+2I find this so stupid! You know, you worked your ass off for three rounds, you're going to the cup finals, enjoy the freaking ride!!
  • invisiblehat, on 05/21/2008, -3/+4Being a life long Detroiter who now lives in Florida, I am very excited to my Wings about to win another Cup.
    • Jorin, on 05/21/2008, -0/+1Don't speak too soon! Detroit probably has the edge but the playoffs aren't over. :D
    • mmzplanet, on 05/21/2008, -0/+2Your Wings?

      You turned your back on Detroit and moved away. Evidently the city was not good enough to keep you in the place you love. They are not yours anymore. People are critical of the newer hockey teams and their fan bases. Now I know why, it's because of people like you.

      You can still like the Wings, but they are no longer YOUR team. If Detroit is still your city, then get the **** out of our state and go back there.
  • rhkaloge, on 05/21/2008, -1/+1Critcizing sports players for have superstitions is like criticizing diggers for posting stupid comments - we don't care and it's not going to change a thing
  • LucWales, on 05/21/2008, -0/+1They never put on their conference championship hats either.
  • Tubilakken, on 05/21/2008, -4/+1as crazy as any religion
  • Spartyon, on 05/21/2008, -0/+3this isn't crazy, they haven't accomplished their goal yet. The second the buzzer rang for game six the red wings started getting ready for pittsburgh. This is going to be one of the best series to watch in years.
    • FamineMonk, on 05/21/2008, -0/+0Here here! This series is going to be a display of some truly outstanding hockey.
  • MarckWest, on 05/21/2008, -5/+0Let's look
    http://abigaylelopez.blogspot.com/
  • rtphokie, on 05/21/2008, -0/+1 Ken Campbell, if you didn't have anything to write about, you should just say so. Spend some time learning about the sport you are writing about.
  • pileofstraw, on 05/21/2008, -2/+2Go Habs Go!

    Cup in 2009!!
    • d0nbaker, on 05/21/2008, -0/+1***** yeah!! 100 year and another cup!
  • liuite, on 05/21/2008, -1/+1you touch the trophy wife, i break your nose...what's so superstitious about that!
  • dumptaker, on 05/21/2008, -0/+0I wouldn't want to touch Prince Charles' junk either.
  • cbarning, on 05/24/2008, -0/+1This all started in 1999 with Michael Peca the captain of Buffalo Sabres.
  •  

    Login or register to add a comment

    Create a new account or login to join in the conversation on Digg. You'll also be able to Digg stories to help promote things you like.


© Digg Inc. 2008 — Content posted by Digg users is dedicated to the public domain.
DIGG, DIGG IT, DUGG, DIGG THIS, Digg graphics, logos, designs, page headers, button icons, scripts, and other service names are the trademarks of Digg Inc.