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Wednesday, May 12, 2004

When Trophies Go Bad. The Stanley Cup is, bar none, the best professional sports trophy. However hockey will now have to take credit for this abomination. The damn thing looks like a toy. Seriously I thought this was a joke. Via ColbyCosh.com

Comments

Another shot of it here. Yeech. I think the bit underneath the urethane shield could have had potential. I'll hand it to Gehry for bucking the trend but holly poop, is that ugly.

You guys are looking at it all wrong. You put your weed in it.

So they'll be playing for the World Vase? Oy.

....or macguyver into a binger.

I kind of like that World Cup trophy, actually. Though I wonder if you can serve poutine out of it. Anyway, this is still the best trophy of all time.

"I would like them to accept it as a trophy for this match and that it was seriously conceived for its purpose and that they don't dismiss it as some kind of trivial thing that doesn't look like the Stanley Cup," he said. "It is the same issue that I am involved with in all my work. People, when they see the models in the beginning, when they are not involved, they think it is a little weird, but when they experience it physically they realize there is something to it. Over time, I have had success with that and I hope the same thing happens here."
I could see it being kind of fun to pick up and hold over your head. Also, filling it with champagne would probably create a champagne-waterfall effect for free.

If it doesn't work out, they can sell the design to Pier 1 Imports. I'd buy two to bookend my couch.

Lots better than the ass-ugly soccer world cup trophy. Really, looks less offensive than anything Gehry has done in ages :)

Dear Mr. Gehry, You don't design trophies, we won't design buildings. Deal? Yours, the Canadian World Ice Hockey Champions

Most trophies look ridiculous. Exceptions include the World Cup one, the Stanley cup and anything that has to do with bowling.

hey, with Gehry at least it didn't end up being asymetrical and made of titanium sheeting. (and this is a perfect place to recall my column 10 Reasons why the Stanley Cup just plain kicks ass)

The World Cup of ice hockey is a joke. By definition, it should be organised by the international body, under international rules. Oh yeah, we already have such a tournament - the World Championship. The trophy sucks as well.

I say the more international hockey tournaments, the better. I can't wait for next year's Spengler Cup. I kinda like it, actually. Unlike other trophies, it could have a practical use. It looks like it'd be very adept at holding the players' rolls of tape in the dressing room. Or maybe a stick bin. Lots of possibilities!

"When Gehry pulled the covering off the trophy, it was like someone had tugged the burlap bag off the Elephant Man."

I'm going to agree with salmacis when I say that the World Cup is really nothing more than a marketing tool for the NHL. It would be really nice if the NHL could finish a couple months earlier (or perhaps the World Championships could be played a little later) to allow ALL of the worlds best players to compete. I think that would really give the tournament a lot more credibility in North America anyway. The fact of the matter is the World Cup is the only tournament that can boast all of the worlds best players. What about the Olympics you say? Don't even get me started about NHL players at the Olympics. Weren't the Olympics supposed to be about amateur athletes or something? After seeing multiple images of the new World Cup I still think it's awful. I just not sure a modern type sculpture was really the way to go for a hockey trophy.

The World Cup and its predecessor the Canada Cup, were venues for some of the greatest hockey ever played. Hockey needs a showcase for it's best players, with some time for them to practice together. The IIHF World Championship is never going to be that. I give them credit for trying something different. The world doesn't need another inferior imitation of the Stanley Cup. I think that trophy will look better on video and in person than it does in photos, with the way the plastic will refract light. At least it's an improvement on the last World Cup trophy. That thing was hideous.

I agree - the World Cup is essentially the Canada Cup reprised. Not more than 8 years ago - it was the only showcase for the top NHL talent to play for their countries (outside of the World Championships, but the playoffs are on). Its pedegree is the '72 series and that should lend a little credibility. Though it has certainly lost lustre since Nagano (and hasn't been played for a while).

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