PWHL unveils Walter Cup as championship trophy

The PWHL will hand out the Walter Cup to the team that wins the league’s championship at the end of the season, the league announced Thursday.

The trophy is named after the Walter family, which helped provide the foundational support that launched the PWHL. Mark Walter also is part-owner of Chelsea and the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The name was was suggested by PWHL board member Billie Jean King.

“The Walter Cup is the greatest prize a PWHL team can win and the finest gift the players can give their fans,” said King in a statement. “The Walter Cup marks a monumental milestone in women’s hockey and for all women’s sports. It recognizes the historic commitment by Mark and Kimbra Walter to make this dream come true for the PWHL players of today and tomorrow.”

The trophy will be designed by Tiffany, which has created sports trophies since the 1870s, including the NFL’s Vince Lombardi Trophy, MLB’s Commissioner’s Trophy, the NBA’s Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy, the U.S. Open’s singles and doubles championship trophies and MLS’ Philip F. Anschutz Trophy.

“It is a tremendous achievement to become the best team in the world’s best women’s hockey league,” said Mark Walter, speaking on behalf of his wife, Kimbra, and daughter, Samantha in a statement. “This trophy reflects the level of excellence required to win in the PWHL, and we hope it will inspire championship dreams in young players everywhere.”

The PWHL finishes its regular season on May 5, with the top four teams in the standings advancing to the playoffs. The semifinals and the championship final will be best-of-five series.