Lord Stanley refers to Frederick Arthur Stanley, the 16th Earl of Derby, who was a British politician and Governor General of Canada from 1888 to 1893. He is best known for donating the Stanley Cup, a trophy awarded annually to the champion of the National Hockey League (NHL). The cup was first awarded in 1893 and has since become one of the most prestigious trophies in professional sports. The Stanley Cup is a symbol of excellence in ice hockey and is contested by NHL teams each year during the playoffs. It is the oldest professional sports trophy in North America and has a rich history, with many teams and players vying for the honor of winning it. The cup is named in honor of Lord Stanley's contribution to the sport.