Don't like the name of the PWHL trophy being the "Walter Cup"

[Siludin]

Walter Cup - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

I admit I cringed when I found out the name of the trophy.

I recognize what the Walters have done for pro women's hockey recently. I also understand Billie Jean King is on the advisory board, and she recommended the name, and that the "Walter" part of the "Walter Cup" honours both Mark and Kimbra Walter (née DeFeo), but at the same time, I can't help but feel there was an opportunity to name the trophy after a woman in hockey or something.

Hoping someone can change my mind, cause I am looking forward to the PWHL's success.
I guess it beats a sponsored trophy like the Diet Coke Cup?

 

[JMCx4]

... I can't help but feel there was an opportunity to name the trophy after a woman in hockey or something. ...

From the perspective of BJK and others who spearheaded the establishment of the PWHL, the League would not exist without The Walters making a VERY generous commitment to fund "The Dream." No "woman in hockey or something" was ever in a position to make such a financial pledge, so I reckon the naming of the championship trophy was a cheap but appropriate tribute to Mark & Kimbra. In the end, it's simply another validation that hockey is first & foremost a business.

BTW ... Do you feel the same way about Lady Stanley & the Stanley Cup? The sentiment is the same, just in different eras.

 

[Siludin]

From the perspective of BJK and others who spearheaded the establishment of the PWHL, the League would not exist without The Walters making a VERY generous commitment to fund "The Dream." No "woman in hockey or something" was ever in a position to make such a financial pledge, so I reckon the naming of the championship trophy was a cheap but appropriate tribute to Mark & Kimbra. In the end, it's simply another validation that hockey is first & foremost a business.

BTW ... Do you feel the same way about Lady Stanley & the Stanley Cup? The sentiment is the same, just in different eras.

Stanley had a bit of a different position as beloved Governor General of Canada at the time imo.
Also women's hockey is very storied. Suggesting it simply wouldn't exist without one opportunist sports mogul billionaire throwing money at it within the last three years is not something I buy.
But it's their league and they can name the trophy whatever they like I guess; Mark Walter owns women's hockey.

 

[JMCx4]

... But it's their league and they can name the trophy whatever they like I guess; Mark Walter owns women's hockey.

Thus the futility of your opening post. But I hope you benefitted emotionally.

 

[Siludin]

Thus the futility of your opening post. But I hope you benefitted emotionally.

I did. The sentiment is out there now. It's searchable; it's on the record! Someone else can carry the torch over the long haul (I'm a dude so there is an inherent irony to me opining on this subject) - I probably won't be the last to mention it.

 

[JMCx4]

... Also women's hockey is very storied. Suggesting it simply wouldn't exist without one opportunist sports mogul billionaire throwing money at it within the last three years is not something I buy. ...

It appears you are basing your first statement quoted above on a "story" of primarily women's amateur hockey, unless you are reaching way back to women's pro hockey promotion attempts in the 1920s & 1930s. If instead you are referring to more recent women's pro hockey (NWHL/PHF), those stories were bought & buried by the PWHL.

In the modern times of North American pro women's ice hockey: BJK is the Guru, The Walters are the Bank, and the top tier of Dream Gappers are the Ruling Party, acting as a conglomerate organization. All other "stakeholders" of the PWHL are little more than pawns in the secret chess game.