St. Paul Victorias

The **St. Paul Victorias** are a team of the Twin Cities Hockey League where they have played as a charter member since the league's inaugural 1915-16 season. Based in Minnesota's capital of St. Paul, the Victorias play their home games at the 7,000-seat St. Paul Auditorium, sharing a hometown with their rivals the St. Paul Saints, Como Sea Lions, Highland Park Flying Aces, and Phalen East Siders.

## History

Originally founded in 1902, the Victorias played as an independent program for the first fourteen years of their history before becoming a charter member of the Twin Cities League and the MAHL in 1916. Unlike their in-city rivals who only allow members of the St. Paul Athletic Club to join the team, the Victorias are open to all residents of St. Paul, setting them up for more sustained success.

That success has been evident so far, as the V's have won 4 Kellogg Cups, 19 Twin Cities League Titles (the most of any team in the league and tied with the Lake Superior Hockey League's Thunder Bay Giants and Granite Hockey League's Brainerd Lumberjacks for most league titles won by any MAHL team), and appeared in 15 Super Series (including the first 4 from 1962-1965).

From 1962-1971, the Victorias played as a member of the TCHL's East Division (where they won 2 Division Titles) before the league returned to its single-table format.

The origin of the Victorias name remains unknown. Fans have a number of theories but no definitive answers.

### Culture

#### Traditions

Victoria fans are known as the "Big Blue" for their tendency to wear the teams iconic blue whenever the V's play. These fans are known as some of the most passionate in the MAHL, filling opposing arenas in blue whenever the V's are in town.

### Rivalry Trophies

#### The Milk Jug

The Victorias play for three rivalry trophies; the first being The Milk Jug with their in-city rivals the St. Paul Saints, for which they have competed since 1946 (the oldest rivalry trophy in the MAHL).

In the second round of the 1946 Kellogg Cup Playoffs, after the Victorias won Game 1, some Saints players discovered the "lucky" milk jug which V's captain Lance Ogden brought to every game. The Halos players were able to seize the jug from the V's locker room after the game, and their team went on to win Game 2. Before Game 3, the Saints made an offer to the Victorias, that whoever won the rubber match would get to keep the jug after the game. The Saints would go on to win Game 3 (and eventually their first Kellogg Cup), parading around the ice with the milk jug after the game to further taunt the Victorias.

Since then, whichever team has won the head-to-head series between the Halos and V's would take home the Milk Jug. So far, the Victorias lead the Milk Jug series 30-13, but the Saints currently hold the Jug after winning it back in 1988.

#### Veterans Cup

In addition, beginning with the 1962-63 season, the Victorias compete with their old rivals the Minneapolis Millers for the Veterans Cup.

Currently, the Millers hold the Cup, having won it back in 1988. The Mighty Millers lead the all-time trophy series, 16-11.

#### The Capital Cup

Finally, the Victorias compete against their in-city rivals the Highland Park Flying Aces and Phalen East Siders for The Capital Cup, awarded to the team which finishes the highest in the standings at the end of the season.

Currently, the Flying Aces hold the Cup, having won it for the first time in 1988. The Victorias lead the all-time trophy series 2-1-0, with the East Siders not yet having won it as of 1988.

### Retired Numbers

* **3** - C Lance Ogden (1931-1955): Longtime Victorias captain (in fact, most commonly known as "Cap"), played over two decades with the V's, finishing his career by winning them the 1955 Kellogg Cup.
* **10** - RW Cody Klaus (1946-1965): Ogden's heir to the Victorias' captaincy, Klaus' expertise on offense and defense over two decades led the V's to 2 Kellogg Cups.