Every true hockey fan wants to know who won the Stanley Cup the year he or she was born — along with all the winners that came before and after.
Here we chronicle the champion of every NHL season since 1918.
The St. Louis Blues franchise launched in 1967, but it took it more than 50 years to win its first Stanley Cup. The team was a Cinderella story, with head coach Craig Berube being promoted after a 7-9-3 start to the season. With Laura Branigan's "Gloria" as their rallying cry, the Blues miraculously finished the regular season with 99 points and won each of four playoff series despite each going at least six games. Ryan O'Reilly was honored with the Conn Smythe Trophy, while goalie Jordan Binnington emerged during the incredible run.
The Washington Capitals have been around since 1974, and heading into the 2017-18 NHL season, they were still searching for their first Stanley Cup Final victory. The wait was finally over, as Washington won the Metropolitan Division then proceeded to defeat the Blue Jackets, exorcise its demons against the Penguins and outlast the Lightning in a seven-game series to win the Eastern Conference. Against the surprising Golden Knights, the Caps won in five games to hoist the Cup in the desert, led by Conn Smythe winner Alex Ovechkin's postseason-leading 15 goals and Evgeny Kuznetsov's 32 points, which paced everyone in the playoffs.
The Penguins made it back-to-back Stanley Cups, defending their title by besting the Nashville Predators in six games in the Stanley Cup Final. After a 111-point regular season, Pittsburgh had a grueling playoff run. They defeated the Columbus Blue Jackets in five games in the opening round, but the Pens needed seven games to defeat Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals to get to the Eastern Conference Final, where they then were taken the distance by the Ottawa Senators before closing things out in Game 7. Sidney Crosby capped off his second straight Conn Smythe postseason, helping the Penguins defend their title against the Preds.
Since first engraving their names on the Stanley Cup in 2009, Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and the Penguins went six years without even winning the Eastern Conference, let alone hoisting the Cup. That all changed in the 2015-16 season when Pittsburgh weathered a goalie controversy and rode Matt Murray to Stanley Cup Final, where the Penguins defeated the San Jose Sharks in six games behind Crosby's Conn Smythe efforts.
Chicago won its third Stanley Cup in six seasons, beating Tampa Bay in six games. The squad allowed the fewest goals against during the 2014-15 season.
The Kings knocked off the Rangers in five games in the Stanley Cup Final, showing a dominant defense during the regular season with only 174 goals against.
The Blackhawks won their second Stanley Cup in four years, beating Boston in six games. They were dominant during the lockout-shortened regular season, going 36-7-5.
The Kings had an improbable Stanley Cup finish after going 40-27-15 between three coaches during the regular season. They were an all-out defensive team, scoring the second-fewest goals during the regular season but also allowing the second fewest.
The Bruins claimed their first Stanley Cup since 1972, taking down the Canucks in seven games in the Final. David Krejci led the team during the playoffs.
Chicago won its first Stanley Cup since 1961, following a dominant season in which the team went 52-22-8. Patrick Kane led the team in points during the regular season, while Jonathan Toews led the team during the playoffs.
NHL poster boy Sidney Crosby won his first Stanley Cup alongside fellow youngster Evgeni Malkin. The pair each accumulated more than 100 points during the regular season.
The Red Wings had 115 points during the regular season and capped off their great year with a Stanley Cup victory. The team was third in goals scored and first in goals against.
The Ducks had a Hollywood ending in 2007, beating the Senators in five games to win the Stanley Cup. Veteran winger Teemu Selanne was the team's key player during the regular season.
Carolina took down the Oilers in seven games one year after a canceled NHL season. Center Eric Staal led the team during the regular season and playoffs.
The 2004-05 NHL season was canceled due to the lockout.
Tampa Bay won its first Stanley Cup, taking down the Flames in seven games. Martin St. Louis and Brad Richards made huge contributions in the playoffs.
The Devils beat the Mighty Ducks in the Stanley Cup Final in seven games, with veteran goalie Martin Brodeur leading the way.
Detroit had a dominant year at 51-17-10-4, capped off with a five-game series win over the Hurricanes. Steve Yzerman led the team in points during the playoffs.
The Avs beat the defending Stanley Cup champion Devils in the Final, needing seven games. Veteran goalie Patrick Roy and center Joe Sakic led the way.
The Devils got another Stanley Cup after winning in 1995, beating the Stars in six games in the Final.
Dallas beat Buffalo in six games in the Stanley Cup Final after going 51-19-12 during the regular season. Mike Modano easily led the team in points during the regular season, while veteran goalie Ed Belfour started for most of the season and the playoffs.
Detroit won back-to-back Stanley Cups, beating the Caps in four games. The team got big contributions from Steve Yzerman and Sergei Fedorov.
The Red Wings emerged in the playoffs after going 38-26-18 during the regular season, sweeping the Flyers.
Colorado swept the Panthers in the Stanley Cup Final. The Avs were an offensive force, finishing with the second most goals during the regular season, led by Joe Sakic and Peter Forsberg.
The Devils won the first Stanley Cup in their history, sweeping the Red Wings in the Stanley Cup Final. They went 22-18-8 during the regular season.
Mark Messier helped lead the Rangers to their first Stanley Cup since 1940 after going 52-24-8 during the regular season under coach Mike Keenan. The Rangers beat the Canucks in seven games in the Stanley Cup Final.
Montreal took down the Kings in five games, with left winger Vincent Damphousse starring during the playoffs.
The Pens won back-to-back Stanley Cups with the help of dominant play during the playoffs from Mario Lemieux. They swept the Blackhawks in the Final.
Pittsburgh beat Minnesota in six games to win the Stanley Cup, with Mario Lemieux accumulating 44 points during the playoffs in only 23 games.
Edmonton's dynasty finished off its run with its fifth Stanley Cup in eight seasons, as Mark Messier and Craig Simpson had brilliant playoff runs. The team beat Boston in the Final.
Calgary beat Montreal in the Final, as defenseman Al MacInnis had 31 points during the playoffs, including 24 assists.
Edmonton won back-to-back Stanley Cups and its fourth in five seasons, sweeping the Bruins in the Final. Wayne Gretzky capped off a 149-point season with 43 points in 19 games during the playoffs.
The Oilers won their third Stanley Cup in four years in a year that Wayne Gretzky won his eighth straight Hart Trophy. The team beat the Flyers in seven games in the Final, while Gretzky had 183 points during the regular season and 34 more during the playoffs.
Montreal beat Calgary in the Final in five games with Patrick Roy allowing fewer than two goals per game during the playoffs and Mats Naslund accumulating 19 points in 20 games.
Wayne Gretzky and Co. beat the Flyers in five games after the Great One had 208 points during the regular season. He added 47 more points during the playoffs.
Edmonton won the first Stanley Cup in its great eight-year run after scoring 446 goals during the regular season. Wayne Gretzky had 87 goals during the regular season and 13 more during the playoffs.
The Islanders won their fourth Stanley Cup in a row, beating the upstart Edmonton Oilers in the Final in four games. Bob Bourne and Mike Bossy starred during the playoffs.
New York won its third straight Stanley Cup, sweeping the Canucks. Bryan Trottier had 29 points during the playoffs.
It was back-to-back Stanley Cups for the Islanders, who beat the North Stars in five games in the Final. Mike Bossy had 119 points during the regular season and 35 during the playoffs.
New York beat the Flyers in the Stanley Cup Final, and Bryan Trottier had a great playoffs with 29 points in 21 games.
Montreal won its fourth straight Stanley Cup, beating the Rangers. Jacques Lemaire and Guy Lafleur were the team's leading point scorers in the playoffs.
The top offensive and defensive team in 1977-78, the Canadiens capped off a 59-10-11 season by beating the Bruins in six games in the Stanley Cup Final. Guy Lafleur and Larry Robinson both had 21 points during the playoffs.
Montreal made it back-to-back Cups, as the Canadiens swept the Bruins in the Stanley Cup Final after going 60-8-12 during the regular season. Guy Lafleur dominated during the playoffs.
Montreal swept the Flyers and had only one loss during the playoffs after going 58-11-11 during the regular season.
Philadelphia had its day, beating the Sabres in the Final. Center Rick MacLeish had 20 points in 17 games during the playoffs.
The Flyers beat the Bruins in six games, as Rick MacLeish had 22 points in 17 games during the playoffs.
Montreal's dynasty continued, beating the Blackhawks in six games in the Final. Yvan Cournoyer was the team's top points scorer in the playoffs.
Boston denied the Rangers a chance at the Stanley Cup, beating them in six games. The high-powered Bruins offense was led by Phil Esposito and Bobby Orr.
Montreal claimed the Stanley Cup again, beating Chicago in seven games. Frank Mahovlich had a great playoffs with 27 points.
The St. Louis Blues lost their third straight Stanley Cup Final, this time to the Bruins. Phil Esposito had 27 points in 14 playoff games.
Montreal beat the Blues in the Stanley Cup Final for the second straight year, easily sweeping St. Louis. Veteran Jean Beliveau had 15 points in 14 games.
Montreal got back to the Stanley Cup Final, beating the Blues in four games. Jean Beliveau led the team in goals during the regular season.
Toronto denied Montreal its third straight Stanley Cup with a six-game win. Jim Pappin starred during the playoffs.
Montreal won back-to-back Stanley Cups, beating Detroit in six games. Bobby Rousseau led the Canadiens with 78 points during the regular season.
Montreal beat Chicago in a seven-game series, as Jean Beliveau had 16 points during the playoffs.
The Leafs won their third straight Stanley Cup, beating Detroit in seven games. Frank Mahovlich had 15 points during the playoffs.
Toronto beat the Red Wings in five games, with Dave Keon accumulating 12 points during the playoffs.
Toronto beat the Blackhawks in six games, as defenseman Tim Horton had 16 points in 12 games during the playoffs.
Chicago took down Detroit after going just 29-24-17 during the regular season. Pierre Pilote and Bobby Hull led the team in points during the playoffs.
Montreal won its fifth straight Stanley Cup, sweeping the Maple Leafs. Henri Richard and Bernie Geoffrion both had 12 points during the playoffs.
Montreal won its fourth straight Stanley Cup after going 39-18-13 during the regular season. Dickie Moore led the team in points during the regular season and playoffs.
The Canadiens denied the Bruins the Stanley Cup for the second straight year, as Montreal won the Final in six games. Jacques Plante allowed fewer than two goals per game during the playoffs.
Montreal won back-to-back Stanley Cups with Bernie Geoffrion accumulating 18 points during the playoffs.
Jean Beliveau had 19 points during the playoffs, as the Canadiens beat Detroit in the Stanley Cup Final.
The Red Wings won back-to-back Stanley Cups and their third in four seasons, beating Montreal in seven games.
Detroit denied Montreal back-to-back Stanley Cups with a seven-game win.
Montreal beat Boston in the Final after falling in the Final the previous two seasons. It was a slight upset, as the Canadiens went just 28-23-19 during the regular season.
Detroit won its second Stanley Cup in three years, sweeping Montreal.
The Leafs won their fourth Stanley Cup in five years after beating Montreal in the Final.
Detroit won its first Stanley Cup since 1943, beating the Rangers.
Toronto won its third straight Stanley Cup and second straight vs. Detroit.
Toronto won back-to-back Stanley Cups, sweeping the Red Wings.
1938: Chicago Blackhawks
1939: Boston Bruins
1940: New York Rangers
1941: Boston Bruins
1942: Toronto Maple Leafs
1943: Detroit Red Wings
1944: Montreal Canadiens (pictured)
1945: Toronto Maple Leafs
1946: Montreal Canadiens
1947: Toronto Maple Leafs
Seth Trachtman is a fantasy sports expert and diehard Kansas City Chiefs fan. He doesn't often Tweet, but when he does, you can find him on Twitter @sethroto.
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