Karlander Cup

The Karlander Cup

Stanley, Calder, Riley, Turner. Since the original Dominion Challenge Cup in 1893 hockey players have competed for Cups rather than in bowls or series. No other sport can boast finer hardware as representation of supremacy.

The founders of the Punchkick Hockey League desired a perpetual trophy to be engraved with the names of its winners to symbolize the PKHL championship. By definition our Cup represents our attention to detail, exceeding expectations, and striving to reach continually higher standards. The entire PKHL is designed around a concept that can technically go on into perpetuity. Our Cup is no different. In order to accomplish this task and uphold our high standards many avenues were explored. Very quickly it was established that an off-the-shelf plastic trophy with a golden figure atop was unacceptable. Efforts were made to acquire a suitable trophy but to no avail. Once again, PK Hockey found itself in custom territory.

As is PK style, this massive project was undertaken expeditiously, with many of the details subdivided among founding members. These members came to be known as the Curators and still hold that role to this day. Paramount in the development of our Cup was that it must have a fitting name. The "PKHL Championship Trophy" would not suffice. The name of our trophy must remain true to our mission statement:

The PKHL is an independent community emphasizing camaraderie, sportsmanship, and parity while acknowledging that hockey exists in the lives of our members for the sole purpose of

recreation and enjoyment. Nothing is more important than the love of the game of hockey.

Several deserving names were presented,but none were more fitting than that of Kory Karlander. We learned of Kory Karlander through an article written in USA Today and a subsequent article on TSN. Playing professional hockey in Michigan and being part of our demographic resonated with us. More importantly, he was still playing hockey for the same reason as our players: pure love of the game, the camaraderie of teammates, and a chance to share that with others. Further research proved to us not only was it fitting to name our trophy after him, but that he had the virtue we hold highest- to serve as an ambassador for the game of hockey. We now had a name. Next was to acquire a Cup to build around.

The Cup that rests atop the oak base was purchased in January of 2013, nine months before league play began. It was purchased on eBay by League President Jason Mills for $17.56 from Caroline Milne of North Carolina. According to Mrs. Milne, it was purchased by her parents in Virginia "years ago" for an unknown amount. The only detail we have is a stamping "WM Rogers Paul Revere" on the underside of the neck area. We likely will never know the true age or origin, adding to the allure of our Cup. The Cup itself is a brass alloy plated with sterling silver. Following this purchase, Commissioner Justin Mills began the prototype stages of designing a proper base.

The founding members were graciously invited by the Kalamazoo Wings of the ECHL to fan appreciation night on March 29, 2013 to present Mr. Karlander with the Cup. At this time, only the Cup existed (similar to the humble beginnings of Lord Stanley), and it was not engraved. The PKHL also announced on this date the 33 worn by Kory Karlander was retired in his honor. A Vegas Gold "heritage sweater" was presented as well as a brief video clip containing artistic renditions of the proposed finished product.

Following this ceremony, our build team finalized the design. Construction and assembly were the purview of Bill Addelia and Vice President Joel Higuchi. The base was constructed on August 17, 2013. The final product was beginning to take shape.

One challenge to overcome was the difficulty contracting engraving of a curved surface. All local options were quickly dismissed or declined the job. Left without options, the PKHL did what we do best. We dreamt big and aimed high. A call was placed to Boffey, Inc of Montreal, Quebec, Canada to none other than Louise St. Jacques. Not only is Ms. St. Jacques hockey royalty (as one of only four people to ever engrave the Stanley Cup), but she is also a true ambassador of our sport. She willingly agreed to undertake the project. We are truly honored and humbled that the same company that engraves the most sacred artifact of our sport also undertook our project. At the suggestion of Ms. St. Jacques an adaptor was installed at the base of the neck. This allowed mating to the oak base without an unsightly bolt while maintaining watertight integrity.

The Cup is engraved with:
-Front: The Karlander Cup
-Rear: “As long as I still love the game, I’m going to play”
(quote of Kory Karlander in TSN article)

The neck of the Cup is engraved with:
-Punchkick Hockey League MMXIII
-“Per Pugnus Quod Per Pes” (with fist and foot in Latin)

By this point, the time, effort, and financial commitment provided motivation to begin the process of writing protocols for the care, maintenance and handling of the Cup. Nick Candela accepted this task, ultimately seeking the advice of Phil Pritchard of the Hockey Hall of Fame. Nick maintains dialogue with him to this day.

Working concurrently with engraving Bill Addelia stained and sealed the oak base. Following engraving and final assembly Joel Higuchi built the custom-fit protective case the Cup travels in - complete with foam cradle, security hasp, handles and wheels. This case also doubles as a presentation stand.

Next we turned our attention to the top tiers and base where the winners would be engraved. B&B Trophy and Awards of Clinton Township, Michigan provided the expertise and experience to guide us to achieving our goal of a truly perpetual Cup with a lifetime that will extend far beyond the playing careers of our players. More importantly, B&B Trophy shared in our enthusiasm for the project and provided unparalleled customer service. They continue to engrave the names of the winners to this day as well as assist with our individual award trophies. Coordination of all engraving on both Cup and base was handled by Jason Mills.

The top tier of the base is laser etched with our League Crest, Heritage Crest, original logo (which is also embroidered on the shoulder of every "premium sweater" worn in the PKHL), as well as the retired 33 of Kory Karlander. The remaining two tiers are reserved for engraving championship teams participating in events outside of the PKHL (tournaments, etc). The individual players are not engraved on the neck. Currently, the 2007 Champion PK team is the only team engraved.

The base of the trophy contains five tiers with four sides per tier. Each side will have three years of champions engraved into the plates for a grand total of 60 years of champions. In simple terms, the founding members will have a median age well into their 90s when the Cup is "full"! Finishing off the trophy and competing the finished appearance (as well as disguising the threaded rod running the height of the trophy, securing the Cup to the base) is the bottom plate. When held overhead, the base plate displays the PKHL logo and the signatures of the five curators: Bill Addelia, Nick Candela, Joel Higuchi, Justin Mills, and Jason Mills.

Since coming into our possession the Cup has been awarded, photographed, displayed, and drank out of. The Cup is insured and even has its own line item in our yearly budget. Money is set aside each year for eventual re-plating of the bowl in addition to further ornamentation. The Cup and base weigh 25 pounds and stand 26.625 inches tall. The Cup holds 84 oz of your favorite beverage.

It was first presented on ice at K Wings Stadium. It was photographed with the Stanley Cup in Toledo, being given tremendous hospitality by the Toledo Walleye of the ECHL. In Toledo the Cup also had the honor of being held by Phil Pritchard and Mario Della Savia of the Hockey Hall of Fame, two of the finest ambassadors of the sport of hockey. The Cup has attended a wedding, Try Hockey for Free Day, charity hockey games, private gatherings, Northern Michigan vacations, and been blessed by a priest. Bottled beverages, home brewed recipes and even bootlegged North Carolina moonshine has found its way into the Cup (including a package of corned beef). Champions are given the opportunity to spend time with the Cup after winning, but all players are encouraged to enjoy our treasured Cup. We cannot afford to send a "keeper of the Cup" on every away mission, but the Curators are constantly aware of its whereabouts. In accordance with its insurance policy it is stored in an "undisclosed location" when not on display or spending the summer with the current champions.

How will you spend your day with the Cup?

An Idea is Born...