A Milestone Within Reach
When Ken Morrow lifted the Olympic gold medal in Lake Placid in February 1980, he also held the Stanley Cup a few months later, a feat that has never been repeated in the same calendar year.
The accomplishment placed him at the center of a tiny club that includes only a handful of names, and the list has not grown since. Today, Jaccob Slavin of the Carolina Hurricanes, Jack Eichel of the Vegas Golden Knights, and Noah Hanifin of the same squad stand on the brink of joining him.
Morrow’s own path was shaped by financial uncertainty. After the 1980 Games he had to scramble for a contract with the New York Islanders, where he would go on to win four consecutive Cups. Modern professionals, by contrast, enjoy guaranteed salaries and endorsement deals that remove that pressure.
The Players' Perspective
Jack Eichel, who already possesses a Cup ring from 2023, notes the similarities in intensity between the Olympic tournament and the Stanley Cup playoffs, while also pointing out differences in preparation and travel.
Noah Hanifin adds that the rhythm of the NHL postseason differs from the condensed schedule of the Olympics, a factor that can affect a player’s readiness.
Seth Jarvis, a Canadian forward who featured in the Olympic final, could experience redemption if the Hurricanes capture the Cup, while veterans such as Mitch Marner, Shea Theodore, Mark Stone, Steve Yzerman, Brendan Shanahan, Jonathan Toews, Brent Seabrook, Duncan Keith and Drew Doughty watch the chase with a mix of nostalgia and anticipation.
The upcoming final between Vegas and Carolina promises to add another chapter to this story, as the two teams have each topped their divisions and navigated three playoff rounds to reach the championship round. If either Eichel, Hanifin or Slavin completes the double, they will join an exclusive group that includes Morrow, and perhaps a few others whose names will be etched alongside his in the annals of the sport.