Unique piece of hockey heritage

Cambridge University Ice Hockey Club is one of the oldest hockey clubs in existence in the world. The first Varsity Match was played in 1885, and the annual Cambridge - Oxford match is the oldest ongoing hockey fixture in the world.

Last seen after Cambridge's victory in the 1913 Varsity Ice Hockey Match, the cup was lost around the time of the outbreak of the First World War. When the then president of the Cambridge University Ice Hockey Club, Cedric Molton Fiddian, went off to war in 1914, the cup was stowed away in the family home for safekeeping. Cedric was wounded in the war, and other members of the team never returned. The team was temporarily disbanded and the cup was forgotten.

Cedric's son, Bill, found the silver cup when he and his wife unpacked the attic at his father's death. As they did not know the Cambridge University Hockey team was still in existence, his wife used the bowl, which she kept highly polished, as a flower vase for several years. It only came to light again as a result of an article publicising the current Cambridge team in a local paper, which inspired Bill Fiddian to give the trophy back to the Cambridge University Ice-Hockey Club.

Speaking at the presentation coach Bill Harris said:

"It gives the Cambridge University Ice Hockey Club great pleasure to present this trophy to the Hockey Hall of Fame, not only as unique piece of hockey heritage, but also as a memorial to those past heroes of the game."

Phil Pritchard, of the Hockey Hall of Fame added:

"The Cambridge-Oxford game is one of the most recognised challenges world-wide and we are honoured to display this priceless piece within our Exhibit Hall. The 'Royal Canadian Mint World of Hockey Zone' at the Hockey Hall of Fame already features some of the games greatest international matches, but few match the determination and desire that these two clubs display year in, year out."