High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! The National Hockey League presents numerous annual awards and trophies to recognize its teams and players. The oldest, and most recognizable, is the Stanley Cup. First awarded in 1893, the Stanley Cup is awarded to the NHL`s playoff champion. The Stanley Cup is the third trophy to be used as the league`s championship, as for the first nine years of the NHL`s existence, it remained a multi-league challenge cup.