For hockey enthusiasts north of the border, the wait for the Stanley Cup to return to Canada continues. Following the Edmonton Oilers` defeat in Game 6 against the Florida Panthers, the drought is guaranteed to last for at least another year.
The last time a Canadian team celebrated a Cup victory was on June 9, 1993. That year, the Montreal Canadiens triumphed over the Los Angeles Kings in five games. To put that in perspective, in June 1993, blockbuster film Jurassic Park dominated cinemas, popular TV shows included Roseanne and Home Improvement, and Janet Jackson`s `That’s the Way Love Goes` topped the music charts. A lot has changed since then.
With the Panthers` recent championship, the Stanley Cup has now resided in the United States for 32 consecutive years. The Edmonton Oilers presented a strong challenge to break this streak this season. They initially took a 1-0 lead in the final series and later played a crucial Game 5 at home with the series tied 2-2. However, for the second year in a row, the Oilers just missed securing hockey`s most coveted trophy.
Winning Game 6 would have sent the series back to Edmonton for a decisive Game 7, but Florida quickly shut down that possibility. Sam Reinhart opened the scoring early with a skillful goal in the first period, setting the tone for the Panthers` control. Reinhart ultimately scored four goals as Florida comfortably closed out the series with a 5-1 victory in Game 6.
Consequently, Canadian fan bases must endure at least another year without the Cup. Hope remains, particularly with talents like Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl leading the Oilers, suggesting they will likely be contenders in future seasons. Combined with potential from teams like the Toronto Maple Leafs and developing squads such as the Montreal Canadiens and Ottawa Senators, there`s optimism among Canadians that the drought might finally end in 2026 or beyond.
Here`s a look at the current Stanley Cup drought length for each Canadian team:
Toronto Maple Leafs
- Stanley Cup wins: 13
- Years won: 1967, 1964, 1963, 1962, 1951, 1949, 1948, 1947, 1945, 1942, 1932, 1922, 1918
- Drought: 58 years
Vancouver Canucks
- Stanley Cup wins: 0
- Years won: N/A
- Drought: 55 years
Calgary Flames
- Stanley Cup wins: 1
- Years won: 1989
- Drought: 36 years
Edmonton Oilers
- Stanley Cup wins: 5
- Years won: 1990, 1988, 1987, 1985, 1984
- Drought: 35 years
Ottawa Senators
- Stanley Cup wins: 0
- Years won: N/A
- Drought: 33 years
Montreal Canadiens
- Stanley Cup wins: 24 (Note: Article lists 23, but reputable sources list 24)
- Years won: 1993, 1986, 1979, 1978, 1977, 1976, 1973, 1971, 1969, 1968, 1966, 1965, 1960, 1959, 1958, 1957, 1956, 1953, 1946, 1944, 1931, 1930, 1924, 1926
- Drought: 32 years
Winnipeg Jets
- Stanley Cup wins: 0
- Years won: N/A
- Drought: 14 years
Elton Marrow 
Torin Vale