8-year-old boy finds 1946 Stanley Cup ring in New Brunswick river

This may be hockey history's greatest example of finders, keepers.

Eight-year-old Anthony Theriault recently found what is believed to be a Montreal Canadiens 1945-46 Stanley Cup ring belonging to Hall of Famer Elmer Lach.

The ring was discovered while Theriault was swimming in New Brunswick's Restigouche River earlier this summer, according to Le Journal De Quebec.

As seen below, the ring clearly has the Canadiens logo with Lach's initials and No. 16 inscribed on the side. The engraving also includes the year 1945-46. 

The 96-year-old Lach is a native of Saskatchewan, but was known for his offseason fishing trips on Canada's East Coast. The former NHL center contributed five goals and 12 assists during the Canadiens' championship run back in 1946. 

All told, Lach led the league in scoring twice, was awarded the Hart Memorial Trophy in 1945 as the league's Most Valuable Player, won three Cups with Montreal and retired as the league's all-time leading scorer in 1954. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame 12 years later.

The ring's authenticity is set to be assessed by Theriault's family. 

Here's hoping it finds its way back to Saskatchewan if it does indeed belong to Lach.

Note: As per @NHLhistory girl, the Montreal Canadiens didn't begin handing out Cup rings until 1976; teams from the 1930s and 40s were given turkeys for their efforts.