Cup will stay with NHL

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This article was published 20/12/2012 (4996 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

ST-HUBERT, Que. — The Stanley Cup may have been created by the office of Canada’s governor general — but don’t count on the current office-holder to take the trophy back.

Gov. Gen. David Johnston chuckled when asked whether the prospect of yet another NHL season cancellation could prompt him to reclaim Canada’s beloved national relic.

There has been some speculation over whether the Cup could be awarded in an international tournament, or temporarily return to its 19th-century role as the prize for a top amateur team.

One federal MP, Edmonton’s Brent Rathgeber, has suggested the Cup could be awarded in a national competition to determine the best non-pro team in Canada.

Also, one of the Cup’s full-time guardians recently said it would be “exciting” to have a mock tournament if the season is cancelled.

So The Canadian Press asked the Governor General, a former varsity star hockey player at Harvard, whether his office could step in.

Johnston laughed. Then he swiftly changed the subject.

“I want you to know that I’m going back to Ottawa shortly after this and I’ll be refereeing a hockey game of the generals and admirals of our Armed Forces against the defence attaches,” he told reporters.

“We’re warming up. We’ve got a replacement league there, if this thing doesn’t end.”

— The Canadian Press