What year was the first Stanley Cup awarded?

The first Stanley Cup was awarded in 1893. This historic trophy was created by Lord Stanley of Preston, the Governor General of Canada, who wanted to establish a challenge cup that could be awarded to the best amateur hockey team in Canada. The inaugural winner of the Stanley Cup was the Montreal Hockey Club, which successfully claimed the trophy that year. This established the Stanley Cup as a symbol of excellence in ice hockey and has since become one of the most coveted trophies in professional sports.

The other options do not accurately represent the year of the first awarding of the Cup, making 1893 the correct choice.