For the first time ever, NHL club teams will play European club teams for a meaningful trophy. Starting in September 2008, the Victoria Cup will be awarded to the winner of a four-team challenge in a deal agreed to by the IIHF, NHL, and NHLPA. The trophy got its name from Andrew Podnieks after discussing the tournament with its founder, Szymon Szemberg, media relations manager of the IIHF. The meaning of the trophy is two-fold: The Victoria Skating Rink in Montreal is where the first hockey game was played, in 1875; and, the rink was named to honour England's Queen Victoria.

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