Travels with Stanley

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Throughout the summer, NHL.com takes you on the road with the Stanley Cup as the Cup keepers from the Hockey Hall of Fame, Mike Bolt and Walt Neubrand, usher the Cup around the globe with the 2003 champion New Jersey Devils. Take a look at where the historic trophy has been since the Devils clinched their third title in nine years.

Thought y'all'd (never seen a double-'postrophe before! :p )like to see this...NHL.com is detailing Stanley's summer. It's a good read if you have time...

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June 9-16 (http://www.nhl.com/hockeyu/history/cup/travels/062803.html)
The Stanley Cup arrives at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City just past 1 a.m. local time, accompanied by custodians Philip Pritchard, the vice president of hockey operations and curator of the Hockey Hall of Fame, and Craig Campbell, the manager of the Hockey Hall of Fame's Resource Centre. While in New York City, the Stanley Cup found a home in Pritchard's hotel room where it was polished, ready for presentation at centre ice in the Continental Airlines Arena following Game 7 of the Finals.

Pritchard and Campbell drive their special cargo by van to the Continental Airlines Arena and methodically carry the Stanley Cup into the arena prior to the start of the deciding game. While the on-ice battle is being waged, the Stanley Cup remains sequestered in the officials' room, ready to be transported onto the ice surface at the game's conclusion.

For all intents and purposes, the game is decided in the second period on New Jersey goals by Michael Rupp and Jeff Friesen. Rupp celebrated the evening with a three-point night, while Friesen capped the victory with a second goal late in the third period to clinch the Stanley Cup with a 3-0 win. It was the third shutout of the Finals for Martin Brodeur. Coincidentally, it was also his third Stanley Cup championship.

The Stanley Cup is carried along a red carpet by Pritchard and Campbell, clad in their requisite blazers and white gloves. Tonight, the historic trophy was turned over to NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, who, in turn called over New Jersey captain Scott Stevens.

"Scott Stevens, we've done this before," Bettman said. "Come get the Stanley Cup!"

Devils fans erupted in a roar that Pritchard called; "louder than I ever could have imagined!" After lifting the Cup over his head in celebration, Stevens searched for Scott Niedermayer, and then handed the Stanley Cup to his teammate.

For the Devils, this was their third Stanley Cup championship, following celebrations in 1995 and 2000. Five Devils have taken part in each of the three championships -- Stevens, Niedermayer, Brodeur, Sergei Brylin and Ken Daneyko. Daneyko, the longest-serving Devil having played in New Jersey since 1983-84, was especially emotional about the victory. Although he watched from the sidelines through the six previous games of the Stanley Cup Finals, coach Pat Burns dressed the veteran for Game 7.

"I'm just grateful he showed faith in me," said Daneyko. "This might be my last go-round. It was as sweet as it gets!"

June 10, 2003

Tuesday was a quiet day. The Stanley Cup was the subject of a photo shoot for The Record, a New Jersey newspaper. The players celebrated privately, but discussions began as to who would get the Cup, where they would be taking it and when. It's a labyrinth of logistics, but one of the favored occupational hazards for Phil Pritchard at the Hockey Hall of Fame. He'll work in tandem with the Devils and the NHL in planning the travel itinerary for the Stanley Cup. The routing has already begun. The previous night, many of the Devils took part in a team outing to Hoboken with the Stanley Cup. They rented a 32-foot white Hummer limousine and went out on the town to celebrate.

June 11, 2003

By 4:45 p.m., three limousines arrive at the Ed Sullivan Theatre on Broadway for a taping of The Late Show with David Letterman. Letterman's guests were Lauren Graham of Gilmore Girls, sportscaster Marv Albert and a band called Bright Eyes who have a CD out.
As part of a routine called 'Is This Anything?', Letterman indicated that he has something behind the curtain to show the studio audience. Is it anything? They'll have to judge. The curtain opened to reveal several New Jersey Devils, dressed in their jerseys, there with the Stanley Cup. To a thunderous ovation, the team members ran through the crowd and out the doors at the rear of the studio.

Dinner Wednesday night was a special celebration at Tao Asian Bistro, an exclusive New York City restaurant. During cinema's "Golden Age," Tao was one of New York City's most elaborate movie theatres but is now an incredible restaurant featuring beef so awesome that it sells for $10 an ounce. The Stanley Cup was placed on a 16-foot statue of Buddha for continued good fortune.

Jim McKenzie and Turner Stevenson, who have emerged as the "unofficial Keepers of the Cup," provided some New York City residents with random acts of kindness. Stevenson surprised a construction worker manning a jackhammer in the middle of a busy intersection with a glimpse of the Stanley Cup up close and personal. Then, most of the Devils attended Game 4 of the NBA final between the New Jersey Nets and the San Antonio Spurs back at the Continental Airlines Arena. Between the third and fourth quarters, the Devils went out onto the court, greeted by a prolonged standing ovation. Buddha's luck rubbed off - New Jersey edged the Spurs 77-76.

June 12, 2003

Thursday morning at 8:15, captain Scott Stevens arrived at the studio with the Stanley Cup for an appearance on Live with Regis and Kelly. Regis Philbin was away and the guest host was Justin Guarini from American Idol fame. Other guests were Adrien Turner from All My Children and singer Monica.

Following the show, the Stanley Cup was placed back in its specially-constructed traveling case and alongside handlers Mike Bolt and Walt Neubrand, was on the 11:10 a.m. flight back to Toronto for the 2003 NHL Awards Gala.

Martin Brodeur spent some time at the Hockey Hall of Fame Thursday afternoon before he attended the NHL Awards. It was a brilliant night for the Devils' goaltender. Brodeur was a finalist for the Hart Trophy as the league's most valuable player (won by Peter Forsberg of Colorado), but collected a deveral other awards.

Brodeur was selected to the NHL's First All-Star Team, was a co-recipient of the William Jennings Trophy (best goals-against average) with Roman Cechmanek and Robert Esche of the Philadelphia Flyers and was honored with the Vezina Trophy as the NHL's best netminder.

June 13, 2003

After visiting schools on Wednesday morning, Joe Nieuwendyk received permission to visit an old teammate from his days at Cornell University, with the Stanley Cup in tow. Joe's friend Mike is paralyzed, and the arrival of the Stanley Cup did wonders to brighten the spirits of Mike and a number of other patients at the rehabilitation center.

"Winning the Stanley Cup is amazing, and having fun with it is great, but for me, this is the part of winning the Cup that makes it so special," Nieuwendyk said.

He's known as "The Rocket", and it took a visit from the Stanley Cup to change his luck. No, this has nothing to do with Maurice "The Rocket" Richard, the star of the Montreal Canadiens. This "Rocket" is Roger Clemens, the outstanding pitcher for the New York Yankees. Clemens had been attempting to reach the 300-win plateau, and in three previous attempts, had not succeeded. But Friday night, ironically, Friday the 13th, the Stanley Cup arrived at Yankee Stadium prior to the Yankees-St. Louis Cardinals game and changed all that.

The Stanley Cup was inside Yankee Stadium by 6 p.m. allowing visits from hockey fan David Wells of the Yankees, the Cardinals' Jim Edmonds and Yankee Hall of Famer Yogi Berra.

Stevens posed with the Cup and Yankees' manager Joe Torre before the game. Clemens strolled by, but was so focused on the task at hand that he did little more than acknowledge the Cup's presence. Before the game, riding in golf carts, the Devils made a trip around the perimeter of the field with the Stanley Cup to the cheers of the crowd. Then, Stevens threw out the first pitch. The ball sailed over the catcher's head to the backstop, much to the delight of Stevens' teammates.

The team watched the game from the box of Yankee owner George Steinbrenner, who is also a minority owner of the Devils. Other celebrity guests in the box Friday night were home decorating icon Martha Stewart and former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani. Steinbrenner gave each of the Devils a New York Yankees jacket. Devil Jay Pandolfo kiddingly balked at wearing the jacket at first because he's a Red Sox fan.

The presence of the Stanley Cup worked as a good luck talisman for Clemens, who not only gained his 300th career win in a 5-2 decision over the Cardinals, but achieved another milestone in the process. While becoming just the 21st pitcher to collect 300 victories, Clemens struck out 10 batters to pass the 4,000 strikeout mark too.

***

Friday evening, the team took a three-hour cruise around Manhattan Island, watching the lights of the city from their unique vantage point. As a DJ entertained, the Devils and their partners took the Stanley Cup to the upper deck of the ship, and with the Statue of Liberty as a magnificent backdrop, had a commemorative photograph taken.

June 14, 2003

Less than a week ago, the Devils celebrated their Stanley Cup victory inside their East Rutherford home. Today, the Devils celebrated clinching the Stanley Cup with 20,000 of their closest friends outside the Continental Arena, in a rally held in the massive parking lot.

Saturday Night Live alumnus Joe Piscopo, a Passaic, N.J., native, was the master of ceremonies for the event and summed it all to everyone's delight.

"This may be a parking lot, but it's the only parking lot that's got the Stanley Cup!" he said.

Each player was introduced individually to wild applause, which was eclipsed only by the appearance of the Stanley Cup, carried out on stage under a shower of red, white and blue confetti by Walt Neubrand and Mike Bolt of the Hockey Hall of Fame. Approximating the on-ice celebration of last Monday, Scott Stevens held the Stanley Cup aloft and then handed off the magnificent trophy to each of the triumphant Devils. New Jersey Governor James McGreevey added a special component to the celebration, declaring Saturday "Devils' Day".

Saturday evening, the players and their partners dressed to the nines for a team dinner at the Hilton Short Hills, New Jersey's only five-diamond restaurant. While the team and guests dined on lobster tails and filet mignon, their 2002-2003 triumphs sat gleaming in front of them ? the Prince of Wales Trophy as Eastern Conference champions, the William Jennings Trophy won by Martin Brodeur for best goals-against average, the Vezina Trophy won by Brodeur as the NHL's best goaltender and, of course, the Stanley Cup.

June 16, 2003

After a much-heralded visit to the 2003 NHL Awards in Toronto Thursday night, the Stanley Cup was jetted back to New York for several additional high profile appearances.

The New York Stock Exchange begins and ends each trading day with the symbolic ringing of a bell. The tradition goes back to the 1870s when a gigantic gong was struck to signal the beginning of business at 9:30 a.m. and the completion of business at 4 p.m. each day. Such a loud sound was necessary to rise above the frenzy on the trading floor. In 1903, when the Stock Exchange moved into its new location at 18 Broad Street, brass bells replaced the gong. More than 3,000 brokers and support staff work on the four floors of the New York Stock Exchange, but the bell is easily heard over the cacophony below. The NYSE began inviting leaders in various fields to ring the bells to open and close trading, and it is considered an honor to be invited. These ceremonies are among the most widely viewed daily events in the world.

At 4 p.m., the Stanley Cup was at the NYSE to conclude trading for the day, and week. It was three years to the day since the Stanley Cup was last honored by a visit to the NYSE. A number of Devils, each wearing his jersey, were paraded out onto the trading floor to a tremendous ovation. Then, at the precise stroke of 4 o'clock, the closing bell rang, followed by Scott Stevens banging the mallet to signal the end of trading.

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June 16-23 (http://www.nhl.com/hockeyu/history/cup/travels/062903.html)
June 16, 2003

It's 9 a.m. on a Monday morning and the Stanley Cup is on its way to visit Amanda Albelin and her first-grade class, but something is holding up traffic. As a result, the arrival of the Cup to celebrate the championship won by Amanda's daddy is delayed. Police have blocked an intersection ahead and a motorcade is swiftly being directed past curious onlookers. It turns out that former President Bill Clinton has been in the motorcade. No one at Amanda's school seems to mind when her dad, Devils defenseman Tommy Albelin, walks in holding the Stanley Cup. Later on, Albelin takes the Cup to his son's school where he puts smiles on the faces of Adam's sixth-grade classmates.

The Stanley Cup is then transported to Montclair Golf Club in West Orange, N.J. The club is one of the oldest in the United States, founded in 1893 and counts Baseball Hall of Famer Yogi Berra as a member. In fact, the Stanley Cup's appearance is for Berra's charity golf tournament. Retired Devil John MacLean is on hand for the tournament, as are former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani and baseball greats Joe Torre, Roger Clemens, Don Mattingly and David Cone.

When the Stanley Cup returns to the Meadowlands Monday afternoon, the entire staff at the Continental Airlines Arena is given a Devils home jersey with his or her name on the back. They then assembled at center ice, huddled around the Stanley Cup, and have their photos taken as a permanent souvenir saluting the 2002-2003 Stanley Cup champions.

Monday night, hockey's most coveted trophy makes an appearance at the Canadian Society of New York's 26th Annual Hockey Achievement Awards Dinner. This year, Montreal Canadiens' great Henri Richard is honored. On hand are Devils President and General Manager Lou Lamoriello, as well as Glen Sather, Ken Dryden, Bob Gainey, Scotty Bowman, Bill Torrey, Bryan Trottier and Denis Potvin -- all Honored Members of the Hockey Hall of Fame. Henri Richard is one of the Stanley Cup's closest friends, having had his name engraved on the trophy more than any other player. Henri was a member of 11 Stanley Cup championship teams, all with the Canadiens, during his phenomenal 20 seasons in the NHL.

June 17, 2003

Jim McKenzie wakes up and goes through his usual daily routine, which always includes a stop at his favorite bagel shop. Except this time, he brought along the Stanley Cup for the restaurant patrons to see. If regulars couldn't sleep Tuesday night, it had nothing to do with too much coffee and everything to do with the excitement of seeing the Stanley Cup up close and personal.

McKenzie then visits his son's second-grade class with the Cup. Before the Cup arrived, 7-year-old Connor told anyone who would listen; "This is going to be the greatest day of my life!" As Jim leaves after the Cup's visit, he asks his son if the visit by the Stanley Cup was everything he dreamed it would be. Connor's ear-to-ear grin truly answers the question.

At 6-foot-5, 225 pounds, McKenzie's the biggest Devil and no opposing forward relishes the thought of standing in front of the net when he is on the ice. But Jim is one of the game's great guys, and when he visits daughter Taylor's school, the kids are in the midst of a sports day. Jim took the trophy around so that every single child would have a chance to see and touch the Stanley Cup.

The Stanley Cup is then flown back to Toronto Wednesday morning where it would play an integral role in a party at the Hockey Hall of Fame, celebrating the 10th anniversary at the current location at Yonge and Front streets in Toronto's exciting downtown core.

June 18, 2003

On June 18, 1993, the Hockey Hall of Fame opened its doors for the first time in downtown Toronto. Prior to 1993, the Hockey Hall of Fame had been located on the grounds of the Canadian National Exhibition in Toronto, where it had been situated since opening in 1961.

To celebrate 10 years of commitment to the sport from its current location, hockey's shrine invited 500 of its closest friends to the 10th Anniversary Celebration. Honored Members inducted during the past 10 years are special guests of the Hall -- Edgar Laprade (inducted in 1993), Steve Shutt (1993), Billy Smith (1993), Bryan Trottier (1997), Michel Goulet (1998), Peter Stastny (1998), Mike Gartner (2001), Bernie Federko (2002), Clark Gillies (2002) and Rod Langway (2002). Also in attendance were Honored Members Andy Bathgate (1978), Marcel Dionne (1992), Ken Dryden (1983), Harry Howell (1979), Red Kelly (1969), Ted Lindsay (1966), Frank Mahovlich (1981), Scotty Morrison (1999), Brian O'Neill (1994), Pierre Pilote (1975), Sam Pollock (1978), Frank Udvari (1973) and John Ziegler (1987). NHL Alumni Association President Brian Conacher, whose father Lionel and uncles Charlie and Roy are all in the Hockey Hall of Fame, also is on hand for the festivities. But the guest of honor, who happened to be the oldest and most esteemed attendee, is the Stanley Cup.

Within 24 hours of arriving in Toronto, the Stanley Cup is jetting off again. Thursday morning, the destination is Nashville, host of this year's Entry Draft. The Stanley Cup visits the Convention Centre, giving Nashville residents the opportunity to see the Stanley Cup up close.

June 21, 2003

It's the day many 18-year-old hockey players wait for their entire lives. They've worked hard, harboring dreams of glory, and on this weekend many of those dreams are realized when players from all over North America and Europe hear their names called from the podium by one of the 30 NHL teams.

The Entry Draft is hosted this year by Nashville, with the actual draft taking place over two days -- Saturday and Sunday -- at the Gaylord Entertainment Center, home of the Predators. The Stanley Cup makes its way from Toronto to Nashville Thursday afternoon, ready for the next generation of NHL stars to take a step into the next phase of their professional -- and personal -- lives.

Like any large metropolis, Nashville has outstanding shopping, dining and entertainment. But as much as it thrives as a contemporary city, Nashville's history is equally unique. For example, Andrew Jackson, who served as President of the United States between 1829 and 1837, was born and raised just outside Nashville and his magnificent home, The Hermitage, stands as a proud symbol of Southern hospitality.

Nashville has come to be known as the Home of Country Music. Although incorporated as a town in 1892, Nashville really was put on the map in 1925 when radio station WSM signed on the air. Shortly after its debut broadcast, the station began programming country music, and reinforced its reputation as the foundation of country music when it began broadcasting The Grand Ole Opry from Nashville's Ryman Auditorium. From such humble beginnings, a multi-million dollar industry was born. Today, Nashville is renowned as the rich source of almost all of the country music that finds its way to airwaves and record collections. Nashville is, appropriately, also the home of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.

The Stanley Cup spent Friday visiting TV and radio stations to let the city know more about the draft and hockey's rich heritage. Friday at noon, the Stanley Cup, as well as all the NHL's other array of trophies, are on display at the Prospect Luncheon. Former New York Islanders defenseman Ken Morrow, who won an Olympic Gold Medal and a Stanley Cup championship in 1980 brings his wife and two daughters to see the Stanley Cup up close. Morrow is the director of pro scouting for the Islanders. The Stanley Cup also visits the Baptist Hospital Cancer Center to bring some sunshine to patients facing one of life's toughest challenges.

On Saturday, hundreds of young men and their families are sitting anxiously in the arena, hoping an NHL club will call their name. The Stanley Cup is displayed at the Gaylord Entertainment Center from throughout the day and proves to be so popular an attraction that there is a two-and-a-half hour line to see hockey's historic Cup.

"Nashville has really embraced the game of hockey," said Phil Pritchard, the Hall of Fame's vice president of hockey operations. "I would never have believed how popular hockey is in the area. Fans drove in from Kentucky, Alabama, Georgia and all over Tennessee to see the Stanley Cup and to watch the Draft. It was unbelievable! The Predators' organization did everything first class all the way.?

The first name called out from the podium Saturday is goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury, selected by the Pittsburgh Penguins. The partisan crowd went wild when the Predators select defenseman Ryan Suter, the nephew of retired NHL star Gary Suter. The Stanley Cup champion New Jersey Devils selected Zach Parise with their first pick. Parise is the son of another former NHL star, Jean-Paul Parise.

That evening, the historic Hermitage Hotel was the location of a private dinner hosted by the Devils for scouts and draftees. Although the Stanley Cup sat proudly in the room with the young prospects, none would get close enough to examine the Cup. The prevailing superstition is that, as a player, you don't touch the Stanley Cup until you've actually earned the honor by being part of a championship team.

The first three rounds took place Saturday, while the remaining six rounds were held Sunday. After the final selection, pick number 272 (Sean Sullivan by the Phoenix Coyotes), the Stanley Cup is carefully packed and flown to Toronto.

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June 24-30 (http://www.nhl.com/hockeyu/history/cup/travels/070203.html)
June 25, 2003

The Stanley Cup has long been considered the holy grail of hockey, coveted by legions of players since its arrival on the hockey scene in 1893. Few, however, know exactly how the legendary trophy came into existance.

The trophy, in fact, was the brainchild Frederick Arthur Stanley, the sIxth Governor-General of Canada.

Stanley was born in London, England on Jan. 15, 1841, the younger son of three-time Prime Minister of England, Edward George Geoffrey Stanley, the Fourteenth Earl of Derby. Educated at Eton and later at military college, Frederick Stanley received his commission in the Grenadier Guards, but opted for a political career shortly thereafter.

On June 11, 1888, Lord Stanley succeeded the Marquis of Lansdowne as the sixth Governor-General of Canada, appointed by England's reigning monarch, Queen Victoria. Stanley's full title was the Right Honourable Sir Frederick Arthur Stanley, Earl of Derby, Baron Stanley of Preston, in the County of Lancaster, in the peerage of Great Britain, Knight Grand Cross of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath.

Although Lord Stanley lived in the official residence of the Governor-General, Rideau Hall, upon his move to Ottawa, he built a large summer home called Stanley House in order to indulge his love of fishing. It was located on the Baie des Chaleurs near the mouth of the Grand Cascapedia River on the Gaspe Peninsula. Today, Stanley House is a charming bed and breakfast destination.

Lord Stanley's term in office as Governor-General was uneventful, with the exception of his incomparable legacy to hockey. While in Canada, Stanley's children discovered exciting new winter pursuits, including snowshoeing, tobogganing, skating and playing hockey. His sons Algernon and Arthur formed a competitive hockey club called the Rideau Rebels, while his daughter Isobel was one of the first female hockey players in Canada. On March 18, 1892, the Governor-General asked Lord Kilcoursie, a vice-regal aide who played on the Rideau Rebels with Stanley's sons, to read a letter on his behalf to the Ottawa Athletic Association.

"I have for some time been thinking that it would be a good thing if there were a challenge cup, which would be held from year to year by the leading hockey club in the Dominion. Considering the general interest which hockey matches now elicit, and the importance of having the game played fairly and under rules generally recognized, I am willing to give a cup which shall be held from year to year by the winning club."

Lord Stanley's offer was enthusiastically accepted, and he subsequently requested one of his aides, Captain Colville, to purchase an appropriate trophy. Known originally as the Dominion Hockey Challenge Cup, the trophy was purchased for ten guineas ($48.67 at the time) and quickly became known as the Stanley Cup.

The silver bowl was created in Sheffield, England but purchased in London, England and stood 7.28 inches tall and 11.42 inches in diameter. Today, this original Stanley Cup is kept on permanent display at the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Lord Stanley insisted that the Cup remain a challenge trophy, presented for the amateur championship of Canada, and never become the property of any one team. The first Stanley Cup winner was the Montreal Amateur Athletic Association in 1893.

In 1910, after having being awarded to both amateur and professional teams, the Stanley Cup was awarded exclusively to professional teams. From the National Hockey League's formation in 1917 until 1926, the magnificent trophy was awarded to the winner of a playoff between the NHL and the Pacific Coast Hockey League. When the PCHL dissolved in 1927, the Stanley Cup was presented exclusively to NHL Playoff champions.

Lord Stanley never witnessed either a championship hockey contest or his namesake trophy presented to a championship team. Stanley's term as Governor-General was scheduled to end in September 1893, however, in April of that year (midway through the hockey season), Stanley's brother, the Fifteenth Earl of Derby, died. Lord Stanley resigned the Governor-Generalship and returned home to England on July 15, 1893 to become the Sixteenth Earl of Derby.

In 1893, he was appointed president of University College. When the University of Liverpool was established in 1903, Lord Stanley became the university's first Chancellor. Lord Stanley died at Knowsley, in Lancashire, on June 14, 1908.

Lord Stanley of Preston had no comprehension of the immense impact his gift would have. In 1945, the donation of the Stanley Cup earned its benefactor entrance to the Hockey Hall of Fame, as a builder of the sport -- one of the fourteen men inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame that initial year.

There are 2,200 individuals names engraved on the Stanley Cup. Some players are engraved multiple times. Montreal's Henri Richard, the "Pocket Rocket" leads the pack with 11 appearances, earned during an illustrious playing career with the Canadiens.

By the end of this summer, the names of the 2002-2003 New Jersey Devils will be added to that total.

The Devils' Scott Niedermayer, whose name will be engraved for a third time this summer, enjoyed a day with the Stanley Cup on Monday. Although not his official 24-hour visit -- which will likely involve a visit to Cranbrook, British Columbia later this summer -- Scott and his wife, Lisa, took Monday's opportunity to host a neighborhood party in their Montclair, N.J. backyard.

The Niedermayers provided food, drink and a visit with the Stanley Cup to anyone from the area who wanted to stop by. The children on hand took special delight in the visit. Scott had Devils' posters, t-shirts and mini-sticks on hand for the youngsters, who were only too happy to get a treat signed by one of New Jersey's stars. Teammate Jay Pandolfo and a date came by to visit the neighborhood party, too.

June 27, 2003

As the Stanley Cup adds new chapters to its legacy while making the rounds with the New Jersey Devils this summer, the trophies past excursions are sure to be retold numerous times.

Since first being awarded in 1893, the Stanley Cup has been cradled and kissed, dropped and dunked. Its precious bowl has held champagne, beer, dog food and oats among other things. Those, and other stories, fashioned throughout the Cup's 110 years of existence have given the Stanley Cup its reputation - its sterling reputation, if you'll excuse the pun.

In 1904, a hockey team from Dawson City submitted a challenge to the Ottawa Silver Seven looking for the chance to compete for the Stanley Cup. The Dawson City Nuggets began their trek to Dey's Arena in Ottawa on Dec. 19, 1904, and after 25 days and 4,400 miles -- covered by foot, bicycle, dogsled, boat and train -- the team finally arrived in Ottawa on Jan. 12, 1905. After a night of celebration, Game 1 took place the next day with Ottawa defeating Dawson City 9-2. Three days later, Ottawa finished off the Nuggets 23-2.

In a later celebration, Silver Seven star Harvey Pulford drop-kicked the Stanley Cup from a bridge onto the frozen Rideau Canal. The next morning, team coach Alf Smith remembered the Cup's fate and went back to retrieve the trophy.

In 1924, the Montreal Canadiens were going to the home of their coach, Leo Dandurand, after their Stanley Cup win against the Calgary Tigers. The car, packed with exuberant victors like Howie Morenz, Aurel Joliat and brothers Sprague and Odie Cleghorn, got a flat tire. The players piled out of the car to address the problem before contInuing the trip. When they reached the Dandurand home, the celebration continued until one of the players -- likely Sprague Cleghorn -- asked where the Stanly Cup was. Suddenly, the players realized it had been left on the street corner during the repairs. They rushed back, and several hours after having left the trophy, were relieved to discover the Stanley Cup sitting right where they had left it.

The New York Rangers finished off the Toronto Maple Leafs on an overtime goal in Game 6 on April 13, 1940 to win the Stanley Cup championship in Toronto. The Rangers planned a victory celebration in Toronto's Royal York Hotel, expecting the players, team executives and a few friends for an anticipated party for 35. But the Rangers never dreamed that the entire group of celebrants from a dance in an adjoining room would crash the party, anxious for a look at the Stanley Cup and a sip of champagne. The next morning, the Rangers' brass exploded when they received a bill for $3,700 worth of alcohol -- an exorbitant amount of money at the time.

On April 25, the Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the Detroit Red Wings to win the Stanley Cup. After the game, center Red Kelly collapsed in the shower from an injury and was unable to participate in the team's celebration. Leaf owner Harold Ballard, who lived near Kelly, brought the Stanley Cup and two bottles of champagne to the Kelly's home so Red and his family could enjoy the victory.

For a photo opportunity, Red put his infant son Conn -- named after former team owner Conn Smythe -- in the bowl of the Cup. "Conn did the whole load in the Cup," laughs Red. "He did everything. That's why our family always laughs when we see the players drinking champagne out of the Stanley Cup!"

After defeating the New York Rangers on May 21, 1979, the Montreal Canadiens were enjoying a victory parade to celebrate their Stanley Cup championship. The win had given the Canadiens their fourth consecutive championship. At the time, players did not get the Cup for 24 hours each, but Montreal star Guy Lafleur smuggled the Stanley Cup into the trunk of his car and drove it to his hometown.

There, on the front lawn of his parents' home in Thurso, Quebec, sat the Stanley Cup for anyone to come by and visit. In the meantime, team officials and NHL executives were frantic, thinking the trophy had been stolen. Lafleur returned the Stanley Cup unharmed late that night and was scolded, but 20 years later, people still brag that they were there to see the Stanley Cup on Guy Lafleur's lawn.

In 1994, an urban legend sprang forth that Ed Olczyk of the New York Rangers had used the Stanley Cup as a feedbag for Kentucky Derby winner Go For Gin at Belmont Park.

"That's not true," says Olczyk, recently named coach of the Penguins. "I took the Cup to the Meadowlands one night and to Belmont Park the next day. I saw Go For Gin in the winner's circle, but no horse ate out of the Cup while it was with me."

Olczyk is a huge horseracing fan, and owns two horses of his own. The new Pittsburgh Penguins' coach was fortunate to get his name on the Stanley Cup that year. League rules insist that in order to have your name engraved on the Stanley Cup, you must have played in at least 40 games during the regular season or in at least one game of the Stanley Cup Final. Olczyk played just 37 regular-season games and did not appear in the Finals, but through the lobbying of his teammates, Olczyk got his name engraved on the Stanley Cup, the only time in his 16-season NHL career.

In 1996, the Colorado Avalanche faced the upstart Florida Panthers in the Stanley Cup Finals. Alternate captain Sylvain Lefebvre had been a rock anchoring the Avalanche defense, and on June 10 that year, Colorado defeated the Panthers 1-0 on a goal by Uwe Krupp in the third overtime to give Colorado a four-game sweep and the Stanley Cup. During his 24 hours with the Stanley Cup, Sylvain and his wife, Marie-Claire, had their first child, daughter Jade-Isis, baptized in the Stanley Cup.

On June 13, 2002, few people in the world were happier that the Detroit Red Wings had defeated the Carolina Hurricanes for the Stanley Cup than Bobby Ritchie. Ritchie, better known as rock star Kid Rock, hosted a celebratory party with his girlfriend, Pamela Anderson, for the Stanley Cup champion Detroit Red Wings at the Beach Grill and Aqua Bar in St. Clair Shores, a suburb of Detroit. Kid Rock performed a few of his own songs, as well as some cover versions of other hits, while TV star Anderson posed for photos with the invited guests.

The Stanley Cup's travel itinerary for this summer is just being finalized. Fitting in a day for each member of the New Jersey Devils plus team management to enjoy the Cup is no easy task. Requests seem infinite and fulfilling each is paramount. Plus, the last thing the Governors of the Cup want is someone taking old Stanley on another Lafleur-like outing.

Currently the Cup is sharing a suburban New Jersey hotel with guardian Walt Neubrand; both prepared at a moment's notice for a date with a Devil. During the wait, the two have invited Hotel staff for pictures and stories, and have fielded media interviews. The last interview involved showcasing the Stanley Cup in the hotel lobby and documenting people's immediate responses. Most patrons went through the standard reactions -- disbelief, amazement, slight panic (making runs to the local convenience store for a disposable camera, searching for a phone to call anyone and everyone in hopes of sharing the experience, or simply trying to maximize this unexpected one-on-one visit), and finishing with a reluctant adieu.

The next few days will be spent with New Jersey executives and reminiscing about past days spent with hockey stars over the years. This calm before the storm is welcomed since Stanley's summer schedule is nearly as grueling and exhilarating as the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

June 30, 2003

The four Gilfillan boys grew up in Morristown, N.J. Like most boys they knew, they, too, were crazy about sports. Little did they know at the time that their lives would intersect with sports history. Thursday, Mike Gilfillan had the honor of taking the Stanley Cup for a day. Mike's father-in-law is Ray Chambers, who along with George Steinbrenner and Lewis Katz, purchased the New Jersey Devils from Dr. John McMullen in August 2000.

Morristown is a distinctly beautiful, colonial town steeped in history. In 1779 and '80, General George Washington and the Continental Army occupied Jacob Ford's mansion during the Revolutionary War. This temporary headquarters is preserved in Morristown National Historical Park.

Mike Gilfillan and his brothers made their own history Thursday when they returned to their hometown with the Stanley Cup in tow. They ended the night with a visit to Dublin Pub on Pine Street, where the world's most famous sports trophy was kissed like the Blarney Stone, embraced, photographed and serenaded with favorites like 'Black Velvet Band' and 'Stanley Boy' -- "The pucks, the pucks are calling". Earlier that day, Mike Gilfillan took the Stanley Cup to nearby Madison, where he now resides. Madison's downtown core features a boulevard that houses a clocktower, and the Stanley Cup was brought to the base of the local landmark for residents of the town to view. Afterward, the Cup visited the local police and fire stations, and got close to the people at the Main Streets Cafe.

While his father was taking the Stanley Cup to the streets of Madison, little Michael Gilfillan was excitedly waiting for his seventh birthday party to start. All of his friends were scheduled to be there, and there was bound to be a surprise or two.

Afterall, when you're 7, that's what birthdays are all about. But Michael had no idea that a surprise guest would turn out to be the best birthday gift of all. Right on cue, with a yard full of excited children, Michael's dad arrived with the Stanley Cup. The children shrieked with delight.

Lou Lamoriello's mantra could very well come from one of his quotes: "Good is not good enough when better is expected." As CEO, President and General Manager of the New Jersey Devils, better was not only expected but delivered, and the team won its third Stanley Cup championship under his leadership.

But Lamoriello knows it takes a team to win, and as he told The Los Angeles Times, "I think what you do is you have pride in the people that you work with. I'm so fortunate just to be surrounded by great people. I believe everything in life is a people business. Sports are about people. That's all you want, is a chance."

Friday, the Stanley Cup was special guest at a private dinner hosted by Lamoriello for family and close friends at Novelli's, a sensational restaurant in Wayne, N.J. The Stanley Cup sat in the front lobby of the restaurant for patrons to visit while guests dined on Northern Italian cuisine. Former Devils' owner Dr. John McMullen joined the dinner party later that evening to congratulate Lou and his team on their victory.

[nccanes]

June 24-30 (http://www.nhl.com/hockeyu/history/cup/travels/070203.html)
On April 25, the Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the Detroit Red Wings to win the Stanley Cup. After the game, center Red Kelly collapsed in the shower from an injury and was unable to participate in the team's celebration. Leaf owner Harold Ballard, who lived near Kelly, brought the Stanley Cup and two bottles of champagne to the Kelly's home so Red and his family could enjoy the victory.

For a photo opportunity, Red put his infant son Conn -- named after former team owner Conn Smythe -- in the bowl of the Cup. "Conn did the whole load in the Cup," laughs Red. "He did everything. That's why our family always laughs when we see the players drinking champagne out of the Stanley Cup!"



LMAO!!

Thanks Turby. I'd read the first 2 entries on nhl.com, but not this most recent one. :D

[StormShaman]

No wonder the Leafs haven't won the Cup in so long!

[Stormbringer]

June 24-30 (http://www.nhl.com/hockeyu/history/cup/travels/070203.html)
On April 25, the Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the Detroit Red Wings to win the Stanley Cup. After the game, center Red Kelly collapsed in the shower from an injury and was unable to participate in the team's celebration. Leaf owner Harold Ballard, who lived near Kelly, brought the Stanley Cup and two bottles of champagne to the Kelly's home so Red and his family could enjoy the victory.

For a photo opportunity, Red put his infant son Conn -- named after former team owner Conn Smythe -- in the bowl of the Cup. "Conn did the whole load in the Cup," laughs Red. "He did everything. That's why our family always laughs when we see the players drinking champagne out of the Stanley Cup!"



LMAO!!

Thanks Turby. I'd read the first 2 entries on nhl.com, but not this most recent one. :D

If you got a kick out of that, I wholeheartedly recommend Why Is the Stanley Cup (Still) In Mario Lemieux's Swimming Pool?. The book mentions the story of Red Kelly's son along with a ton others making for a great and versatile (As in hilarious, touching, and/or dramatic.) read...

[VandyCane]

Thanks for posting Turby! It certainly made me wish it had been our guys taking the Cup all over Raleigh and to their kids' schools! :cry:

[Shell]

Devils having a great time with the Stanley Cup during their summer vacation
posted July 17 @ 12:49, EST

(CP) - The Stanley Cup's annual summer odyssey is in full swing as New Jersey players, coaches and staff take turns doing what they want with the NHL's championship trophy.

Devils centre Scott Gomez had it in Alaska on Wednesday. The festivities are all supervised, as usual. Phil Pritchard of the Hockey Hall of Fame worked out an itinerary with the Devils, and Hall staffers Mike Bolt and Walt Neubrand take turns on the trips to make sure it's safe.

Hockey journalist and historian Kevin Shea of Toronto is chronicling the travels of the Stanley Cup this summer on the Hall's Web site.

The night after the Devils won the trophy, they took it to a team outing in Hoboken, N.J., in a 32-foot Hummer limousine.

The following day, some of the players' children had it in their school classrooms for show and tell, a group of players took it to downtown New York for a taping of The Late Show with David Letterman, and then it was out to dinner at an exclusive restaurant where the silver trophy was placed on a 16-foot statue of Buddha.

Captain Scott Stevens had it on the set of the Live with Regis and Kelly TV show before it was flown to Toronto for an appearance at the NHL awards gala June 12.

It was taken the next day to the opening of the New York Stock Exchange and to a Yankees baseball game, where Stevens threw out the first pitch and players watched the game from the box of owner George Steinbrenner, who also is a minority owner of the Devils. Roger Clemens, frustrated in previous starts, earned his 300th career win as the hockey players watched.

A three-hour cruise around Manhattan Island capped the day's activities. Players and their wives took the Cup to the boat's upper deck to have photos taken with the Statue of Liberty in the background.

More than 20,000 Devils fans showed up to admire the Cup during a celebration in a parking lot outside the Continental Airlines Arena the next day. Players and their wives attended a formal dinner with the Cup in the evening.

On Monday, June 16, the Stanley Cup appeared at the Canadian Society of New York's 26th annual hockey achievement awards dinner.

It also wound up the centre of attention at Yogi Berra's annual charity golf tournament in Montclair, N.J.

When it came time for Devils forward Jim McKenzie to control the trophy's whereabouts, he took it to the bagel shop he stops at during the hockey season, and to his seven-year-old son's school class.

Then it was back to Toronto for the Hall's 10th anniversary party, and on to Nashville for the annual entry draft.

Scott Niedermayer and his wife got the Cup for a party with their Montclair neighbours June 23.

The trophy next was the centrepiece at the New Jersey Performing Arts Centre for the launch of the Devils' playoff video.

The Stanley Cup arrived at the Magog, Que., home of coach Pat Burns late that same morning. Burns took it to the local yacht club and set it in the back of a pickup truck for a ride into town and a reception.

Centre Pascal Rheaume took it to Vanier near Quebec City.

Rheaume had it with him for an autograph session in a sporting goods store where his brother works. Later, the trophy was placed in a helicopter for an aerial tour of the area. Then there was a parade that wound its way through town with the local hero in a Corvette convertible done up in Devils' red and black and bearing his No. 21.

Annie Rheaume conspired with police to have them stage a mock arrest of her husband, complete with handcuffs and leg shackles, for stealing the Cup. He sang O Canada through the cruiser's loudspeakers as he was being driven to a hall she rented for a surprise party.

On the way home, the celebrants found a restaurant that was open and were invited into the kitchen where poutine, that gloppy mix of French fries, cheese curds and gravy, was loaded into the bowl atop the trophy.

Joe Nieuwendyk got the Cup late on July 11 after Stevens and fellow-defenceman Ken Daneyko took it on Emeril Lagasse's TV cooking show. It spent the night in Nieuwendyk's boathouse on Cayuga Lake before being driven into Ithaca, N.Y., where Nieuwendyk was a Cornell University star.

He wanted college teammate Mike Tallman to share in his happiness. Last April 24, Tallman crashed into the boards during a game of pick-up hockey, suffered a spinal cord injury and was paralysed below the waist. An alumni charity game attended by 3,500 raised money for the Tallman Family Fund. Nieuwendyk received a rousing ovation when he was introduced during an intermission. He had his Olympic gold medal hanging from the Stanley Cup.

Forward Brian Gionta got the trophy next. He took it to Greece - not the country in Europe but his home town of Greece, N.Y., - and 3,500 showed up at a mall to see him with the Cup. Then he put it on display in his father's hardware store, where he worked as a teenager, and took it to Bathrub Billy's sports bar in nearby Rochester. A newlywed couple passing heard it was in the bar and stopped in on the way to their reception to have a photo taken with the Cup.

After an afternoon with goaltending coach Jacques Caron in Vesta, N.Y., it was north to Alaska.

In deference to players' wishes that Cup appearances remain intimate affairs for family, friends and fans when possible, little advance notice is given on where the Cup will show up next.

The Devils are just getting started.

It could be in your neighbourhood tomorrow - maybe even filled with poutine.

[Turbulence]

July 3-9 (http://www.nhl.com/hockeyu/history/cup/travels/070903.html)
July 9
For Pat Burns, the Stanley Cup has been as elusive as Lake Memphremagog's mysterious sea serpent.

Burns first stepped behind an NHL bench with the Montreal Canadiens in 1988-89, taking the team to the Stanley Cup Finals, but losing to Calgary, in his rookie season. After four seasons and a Jack Adams Trophy as the League's top coach with the Canadiens, Burns moved to Toronto. In both 1992-93 and 1993-94, he guided the Leafs to the conference finals. But after four seasons and another Jack Adams Trophy with the Maple Leafs, his reign in Toronto came to an end. Burns returned to the NHL with the Boston Bruins in 1997-98 after spending a year on the sidelines. He maneuvered the Bruins into the second round of the postseason in 1999, but then, early into his fourth season, and after having won a third Jack Adams Trophy, Burns was again on the outside looking in.

Burns waited. And waited. It took New Jersey Devils CEO/President/General Manager Lou Lamoriello to recognize that the veteran coach was exactly the fit the Devils needed behind its bench.

"I owe a lot to Lou," Burns said. "I was out of the game for two years and I read a lot of articles saying I was done and I wasn't the style of coach people wanted. He believed in me."

Burns instituted a highly effective system of defensive responsibility and led the Devils to a first-place finish in the Atlantic Division. Then, New Jersey went to work and executed outstanding Playoff hockey, collecting series victories against the Bruins, Tampa Bay Lightning, Ottawa Senators and, of course, an exciting seven-game nail-biter in the Stanley Cup Finals against the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim.

"We were not supposed to get by everybody but we did it," Burns said. "The team worked hard."

After 12 NHL seasons of coming close but never grabbing the big prize, Burns collected the Stanley Cup championship he so wanted --and deserved. Lamoriello's selection was spot on.

The Stanley Cup arrived at Burns' home in Magog, Quebec in the late-morning hours of July 3. Burns has a terrific home in a thickly wooded area, complete with a creek running through the property. Magog is a town found in Quebec's Eastern Townships about 20 miles north of the Vermont border and situated on Lake Memphremagog, a body of water complete with its own mythology.

Since 1816, residents have reported sightings of "Memphre," a dark brown or black creature some 30 feet in length that eludes capture in a manner that reminds many of Scotland's Loch Ness Monster.

Burns took the Stanley Cup to the yacht club in Magog to meet the local media Thursday afternoon. Outside on the sidewalk sat a sign that simply read; "Pat Burns -- Coupe Stanley." After addressing the press, Burns returned with the Cup to his home, where he celebrated in a relaxed atmosphere with wife Line, his son, and a handful of close friends. One of those pals was not unfamiliar with having his picture taken with the Stanley Cup -- Raymond Bourque. The longtime Bruin, who won the Cup with Colorado in 2001, joined the Devils' coach in celebrating the 2003 Stanley Cup victory. Bourque and Burns had become good friends during their years together in Boston.

Saturday, July 5, 2003, was an incredible day in Magog, Quebec. The skies were virtually cloud-free, the air fresh and fragrant and a slight breeze kept the temperature from feeling too sticky. But better yet, the Stanley Cup was in town courtesy of Burns.

By mid-afternoon, a police escort arrived at Burns' home and led a procession to Cantine du Lac on Rue Principale. Burns was in the back of a pickup truck with the Stanley Cup gleaming in the bright sunshine right behind him. More than 150 invitees were waiting for the guests of honor to arrive. Burns had arranged for placement of a New Jersey Devils' towel and a 2003 championship puck at each place setting as a souvenir. The food was outstanding, and each of the invited guests posed for a photograph with Burns and the Stanley Cup. After the dishes had been cleared, a DJ spun music in the background.

While coaching in Toronto, Pat often played guitar with popular recording act The Good Brothers, and many at the party wondered if the coach might pull out his guitar. "Hmm, let me see, 'Devil with the Blue Dress?' Nah! 'Devil or Angel?' Nope. How about 'The Devils Went Down to Georgia?' Pass."

The evening was subdued, with conversations between friends as warm as the Magog air. At one junction, Burns introduced his cousin and great friend, Robin Burns. He is president of I-Tech Sports Products, but also a former NHL player. Robin Burns made his NHL debut as a Penguin during the 1970-71 season. After three seasons in Pittsburgh, he was selected by the Kansas City Scouts in the 1974 Expansion Draft and enjoyed two solid seasons wearing No. 13 with the fledgling franchise.

Now, if you follow the path of succession, the Kansas City Scouts moved to Colorado and became the Rockies in 1976-77, but struggled and evolved into -- voila! -- the New Jersey Devils in 1982-83!

Pat Burns had a No. 13 New Jersey Devils sweater made up for his cousin, who he introduced to the guests. After presenting the sweater, Pat barked; "Give that thing a big hoist," and pointed to the Stanley Cup. Choked up, Robin lifted the Stanley Cup to the sky, the tears streaming down his face. Like most NHLers, past or present, there is an unwritten code of honor that prohibits players from touching the Stanley Cup unless they have been blessed with winning it as part of a championship team.

"When Pat told me to lift the Cup, I just had to do it," Robin said. "It was such an honor, especially when Pat explained that as a Kansas City Scout, I was actually part of the extended New Jersey Devils' family!"

By 1:30 in the morning, the party slowly broke up. Within hours, Cup keeper Mike Bolt had packed the Stanley Cup, driven it several hours north and placed it in the arms of Devils' center Pascal Rheaume.<.p>

On the day the Stanley Cup was reserved for Rheaume, July 6, 2003, he was taken away in handcuffs and leg shackles by the local police. Fans from the Quebec town of Becancour looked on in horror as he was driven away in a police car, lights flashing. Only his wife Annie laughed. She was in on the joke. But to Rheaume and the onlookers, a season that had gone so well appeared to be ending with him being arrested in his hometown on what should have been one of the greatest days of his life.

The day had started in Vanier, just outside Quebec City, at l'Entrepot du Hockey, a large sporting goods store catering to the hockey player. Pascal's brother works at the store and Pascal was only too happy to sit with the Stanley Cup for a few hours, greeting a non-stop lineup of fans looking for an autograph and a photograph with the shining trophy.

Pascal was born in Quebec City, so this was a homecoming of sorts. But, for the last eight years, he has lived in Becancour, a town across the river from Trois-Rivieres, partway between Quebec City and Montreal. When he arrived in Becancour, Pascal, his wife Annie and their children, Logane and Alexane, went to a local photography studio to have family portraits taken with the Stanley Cup. A TV crew from RDS, the French sports station, followed Pascal around for the entire day, capturing the emotions of a boy's lifelong dream being realized.

In the parking lot, a band dressed in platform soled shoes, outrageous bellbottom pants and wild, open-necked shirts -- with more chains than Mr. T on a good day -- blasted their version of Kool and the Gang's hit "Celebration" much to the delight of Pascal, his family and the TV crew. Pascal slipped into a boxing gym next door to say hi to the boys, then returned with the Cup to his home. Minutes later, a helicopter landed at the end of the street and the pilot beckoned Pascal and the Stanley Cup to join him for an aerial tour of the town.

The helicopter landed at 4:30 p.m., just in time for the guests of honor to lead a parade through Becancour. Pascal cradled the Stanley Cup in a Corvette convertible done up in Devils' red and black and emblazoned with Pascal's familiar No. 21. The parade, which wound its way through the town in front of a large crowd, also featured a fire truck and a number of floats. At the end of the parade route, the town had set up a fair with rides for the kids, a beer tent and a stage where fans could meet Pascal and get their photo taken with the Stanley Cup. All the money raised went toward minor hockey.

The entire day was brilliantly organized, and as dusk was about to settle on the town, Rheaume returned with the Stanley Cup to his home. Pascal turned 30 on June 21, so had planned to have a few friends around to celebrate, belatedly. But as he pulled up to his home, the police grabbed him, handcuffing his wrists and shackling his ankles.

"What going on?" Pascal asked, but the officers had no time for questions.

"You're under arrest for stealing the Stanley Cup!"' barked the police. Pascal looked over to Mike Bolt, the Keper of the Cup, begging for an answer, but Bolt just shrugged. The police car, lights flashing, took off down the road with Pascal helpless in the backseat. The constables forced Rheaume to sing 'O Canada' over the car's speakers.

Then a smile crept onto the lips of Pascal's wife, Annie. That smile evolved into a huge grin, then uncontrollable laughter. She had orchestrated the entire "arrest." Pascal was not in trouble, of course! He was being "kidnapped" to a hall she had rented for a surprise party!

Once in the hall, Pascal roared with laughter and embraced his wife. The ruse was elaborate, and the local police force performed their roles admirably. The Devils' center was escorted to the stage, and friends and family proceeded to roast Rheaume with jokes and stories. Video clips from his childhood were shown, as were slides from his school days. A dozen beers were emptied into the Stanley Cup, and everyone in attendance got to sip out of the fabled bowl.

The party spilled out onto the streets of Becancour at three in the morning. But Rheaume had one final request for the waning hours of his time with the Stanley Cup.

"We must find poutine. I have to have poutine," he insisted. The tired celebrants were on the hunt. A couple times, a knock on the door of an unsuspecting resident produced not sleep-deprived anger, but legitimate surprise. "Le Coupe Stanley! Le Coupe Stanley! Viens ici, vite, vite!" Finally, Rheaume found a restaurant still open. He and the Stanley Cup were invited into the kitchen, where French fries with cheese curds and gravy were poured into the bowl of the Stanley Cup. A smiling Rheaume ate his special treat out of an even more special vessel. "Tres, tres speciale," professed Rheaume, "Very, very special!"

He rinsed the Cup's bowl meticulously and said goodbye to the Stanley Cup, which was soon to be on the highway to Toronto and its next adventure. Rheaume had enjoyed a remarkable day "Incroyable," he smiled. "What a day!"

[Turbulence]

July 11 (http://www.nhl.com/hockeyu/history/cup/travels/nieuwendyk071403.html)
July 14

This is not a story about an ordinary Joe. In fact, this man is rather extraordinary. His name is Joe Nieuwendyk.

Nieuwendyk is one of but a handful of NHL players to have won the Stanley Cup with three different teams. The Oshawa, Ontario native first won the Cup in 1989 as a member of the Calgary Flames. He won the Conn Smythe Trophy as the postseason's most valuable player when his Dallas Stars captured the Cup in 1999 and he played an integral role with the Devils this spring when New Jersey collected hockey's most cherished trophy.

Only five other players have accomplished the same three-team feat since the NHL's formation -- Gord Pettinger (Rangers in 1933, Red Wings in 1937 and Bruins in 1939), Al Arbour (with the Wings in 1954, Chicago in 1961 and as a Leaf in 1962 and '64), Larry Hillman (with the '55 Red Wings, '64 and '67 vintage Maple Leafs and as a Canadien in 1969), Claude Lemieux (with Montreal in 1986, New Jersey in 1995 and Colorado in 1996) and Mike Keane (Montreal in 1993, Colorado in 1996 and with the Stars in 1999).

Nieuwendyk was injured in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Ottawa Senators and was forced to sit out each of the games in the Stanley Cup Finals against the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim. As classy a player as Nieuwendyk is, he is a fierce competitor. Having to watch the team with which he has lived and died over the past two seasons was a terrific challenge.

"I have been as emotionally involved in this series not playing as some guys who are playing," he said. "I feel a part of it and the guys have made me feel a part of it."

Nieuwendyk received the Stanley Cup late Thursday night, July 10 after the trophy had spent the afternoon on the set of the Emeril Live.

Emeril Lagasse is a world-renowned chef with several restaurants and cookbooks to his credit. On Thursday afternoon, Emeril mentioned, "Mmm, there is nothing better than a hot bowl of chili on a cold winter night when you're watching hockey!" With that, out strode Devils Scott Stevens and Ken Daneyko with the Stanley Cup, which they placed on the counter beside Emeril. Stevens and the recently retired Daneyko gave the celebrated chef a Devils sweater with his name on the back.

Although Stevens is considered a very good cook by his teammates ("Especially when it comes to game," Daneyko said, his colleague is not quite as adept in the kitchen. "At one time, I could make a pretty mean Kraft Dinner with wieners," laughed Daneyko. "Now, I'm strictly on grill duty during barbecues."

After visiting Emeril, Mike Bolt, the Cup's Keeper at the moment, drove the four-and-a-half hours from New York City up-state to Ithaca, N.Y., arriving at midnight Thursday. Riding shotgun was his companion, the Stanley Cup.

Nieuwendyk had decided to spend his day with the Cup visiting Cornell University. Nieuwendyk starred with the Big Red during three seasons, the latter two (1985-86 and 1986-87) in which he led the team in scoring and was chosen to the NCAA East First All-Star Team. He also was a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award as top collegiate hockey player in 1987.

The Stanley Cup spent the night in the Nieuwendyk's boathouse on Cayuga Lake, then was prepared for an itinerary jammed with activities. First, to the Falls Restaurant and Tavern, where all the locals go for breakfast, then back to the house where Joe, his wife Tina and their kids, Tyra and Jackson, had their portraits taken with the Stanley Cup. A few friends joined the festivities, including Mike Schafer, Cornell's hockey coach. A limousine then took the party to the Glenwood Pines Restaurant where Joe happily posed for a stream of photos with fans and the Stanley Cup. Dinner featured a brilliant meal of sugarcane-grilled shrimp and cinnamon-grilled pork chops at the BoatYard Grill, right on the water at the end of Inlet Island.

The primary reason Nieuwendyk is an extraordinary Joe is not because of his abilities on the ice. He is recognized as one of the most selfless players in the NHL. In 1989, he was selected winner of the King Clancy Memorial Trophy for leadership on and off the ice. So therefore, it should come as no surprise that Nieuwendyk would devote much of his time with the Stanley Cup to a benevolent cause. Last weekend was Cornell Alumni Weekend in Ithaca, and Nieuwendyk saw the opportunity to share his time with his alma mater. But the visit with the Stanley Cup had a much greater relevance for Nieuwendyk.

On April 24 this year, Mike Tallman was playing a game of pick-up hockey when he crashed into the boards and didn't get up. Mike suffered a spinal cord injury and is paralyzed below the waist. Nieuwendyk and Tallman, an Ithaca native, played together with the Big Red in 1986-87 and have remained friends. Tallman is being treated at the Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation in West Orange, N.J., not far from the Devils' practice facility.

In a letter to Cornell alumni, coach Mike Schafer wrote; "Mike is one of the toughest and most determined individuals you will ever meet. Rest assured, Mike will meet this most difficult challenge with the same fierce determination he has brought to all of his past endeavors."

Nieuwendyk brought the Stanley Cup to Ithaca, not merely for Alumni Weekend, but predominantly to help raise funds for the Tallman Family Fund. Money raised provides Tallman, his wife Kristen and their daughter Brodie with the resources to purchase a wheelchair and to make the necessary renovations to their home for Mike's rehabilitation.

Even Nieuwendyk was shocked to step out of the car at the Lynah Arena at 7 p.m. to see 3,500 people in line to see him and the Stanley Cup. Admission was $5 for the alumni game and also to meet Nieuwendyk with the Stanley Cup. The bad news is, Joe didn't see any of the game. The amazing news is that the line lasted for three-and-a-half hours, and every penny of the admission went to the Tallman Family Fund. By the way, the alumni game featured Cornell players from several decades, including players from each of the school's 10 ECAC championships and both of The Big Red's national championships -- 1967 and 1970.

On the ice during intermission, Schafer introduced Nieuwendyk and the Stanley Cup to a thunderous ovation. After all, Nieuwendyk is a Cornell Hall of Famer as well as a three-time Stanley Cup winner and an Olympic gold-medal winner from the 2002 Winter Games in Salt Lake City. He actually had his gold medal hanging around the Stanley Cup.

Once the game was finished and each of the fans had visited with Joe and the Cup, Nieuwendyk decided to visit Dunbar's, the bar at which he hung out during his days at Cornell. Not much had changed -- the beer was still cold and the graffiti was still on the walls. The only difference was on Friday night, 500 people were jammed shoulder to shoulder to be in the same proximity as the Devils' star and the Stanley Cup. Before anyone realized, it was 3 a.m. and time to pack the Cup up for the night back at Joe's home.

[Turbulence]

July 14 (http://www.nhl.com/hockeyu/history/cup/travels/gomez072103.html)
July 21
Hanging on the wall in the Crossroads Lounge is a photograph of "local boy makes good" -- Scott Gomez, with the Stanley Cup. In 2000, when Gomez shared his Stanley Cup celebration with the residents of Anchorage, he inscribed the photo, 'I'll be back. Scott Gomez.' On July 14, 2003, Scott Gomez kept his promise.

That was a sensational day in Anchorage. The sun shone brightly and the Alaskan mercury pushed to 70 beautiful degrees when the Stanley Cup arrived at the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport at 7:30 that evening. Scott Gomez and his father, Carlos, were waiting at the gate along with Alaska's Lieutenant Governor, Loren Leman, and a large gathering of hockey fans. After a visit with awaiting media, Gomez climbed aboard a limo bus with the Stanley Cup and, with the Anchorage Police Department escorting, took the trophy directly to the people. The bus pulled up in front of Crossroads Lounge and, with a throng of fans cheering wildly, Gomez carried the Stanley Cup into the club and proceeded to fill the silver bowl with Dom Perignon, allowing fans to sip champagne from hockey's championship trophy just like their heroes did a few short weeks earlier.

After an hour at Crossroads, the limo bus went over to Sullivan's Steakhouse, one of Anchorage's finest restaurants and jazz venues. Gomez walked the Stanley Cup around the restaurant, much to the delight of the clientele, then after a few photos with the staff, made his way to the next stop.

The Gomez family planned a private party for 300 of Scott's closest friends downtown at the Hilton Anchorage on West Third Avenue. Again, the gleaming bowl of the Stanley Cup was filled to the brim with champagne, and after his parents, Carlos and Dalia Gomez, took their celebratory sips, every guest got to taste the nectar of champions from the finest vessel in sport. There also was an auction that featured, amongst other items, one of Scott's Devils jerseys, a jersey from the NHL All-Star Game and a game-used stick. Proceeds went to the American Heart Association.

It was already into the early hours of Tuesday morning when Gomez took the Cup over to Chilkoot Charlie's to say hi to the fans. During Alaskan summers, the sun doesn't set, so although it was well past midnight, the sky was still bright and the streets were still full. The owners of the saloon poured beer after beer into the Stanley Cup, and again, the residents of Anchorage got to sip from the Stanley Cup. Gomez climbed onto the stage and saluted the crowd.

"You guys are unbelievable!" he said to monstrous Chilkoot Charlie cheers. "This is for you and all the support you've given me and my family all along the way!" The applause didn't end for several minutes, and Gomez beamed as he slapped the hands of all around him.

It was 4 a.m. when Gomez finally arrived back at the family home, and like the sun, the revelers were still up. The music bounced and the Gomez residence rocked until six in the morning. But Gomez had made arrangements for additional media and the neighborhood kids to meet him at the house at 6 a.m., so within minutes of the clock striking six, the living room, which had been a dance floor moments earlier, was restored to normal and the children and media had no idea that there hadn't been a moment of sleep at the Gomez home that night.

Tuesday morning, Scott and the Stanley Cup made a number of stops, all accompanied by the terrific Anchorage Police Department. They visited the fire hall and met a number of firefighters and their families. Then, it was off to the Tesoro Sports Center, a local arena, where Anchorage residents could enjoy breakfast with the Cup. Gomez spent more than an hour and a half posing for photographs. While he was at the rink, he popped into the offices of the Anchorage Aces, who this fall will begin playing in the ECHL. The next step for Gomez was at the Anchorage Seniors' Center, where Scott provided some of the residents with special t-shirts. Many of the residents smiled and recalled their memories of Rocket Richard and his five straight Stanley Cup championships with Montreal in the 1950s.

Gomez couldn't wait to visit the Anchorage Police Department to thank Lt. Paul Honeman and his staff for the incredible job they had been doing escorting him and the Stanley Cup around his hometown. With a busy itinerary and a tight timeframe, "efficiency" was the operative word and the Anchorage Police certainly supplied that. The men and women in uniform appreciated the visit and took a few moments to examine the Cup and chat with Scott. The Devils' forward made certain he took the Stanley Cup into the dispatch area so that no one had to leave his or her post in order to visit with the trophy.

After saying goodbye to the police force, Gomez visited Elmendorf Air Force Base. The nature of the military is such that personnel from all over the country are posted to Anchorage, so there were avid fans of every single NHL team based at Elmendorf. But every hockey fan there, no matter which team they cheer for, had one thing in common -- they're all fans of Scott Gomez and the Stanley Cup. An hour and a half and after meeting everyone at Elmendorf, Gomez, Lieutenant Governor Leman and the Stanley Cup were escorted out onto the tarmac where a Black Hawk helicopter waited for their arrival. The pilot took the dignitaries on an aerial tour of Anchorage, circling over the impressive Alaskan city several times, then landed at Delaney Park Strip where 8,000 fans waited eagerly to see Scott Gomez and the Stanley Cup. Scott led the fire department over to a monument where the United States anthem was sung proudly (and loudly!)

Mayor Mark Begich officially welcomed Scott back home and on behalf of the citizens of Anchorage, expressed his appreciation that Scott has never lost sight of his roots. The mayor then read a proclamation that declared Tuesday, July 15 "Scott Gomez Day" in the City of Anchorage. Then, Lieutenant Governor Leman stepped to the podium and thanked Scott for being a positive role model, and for drawing the hockey world's attention to Alaska for the day. The Lieutenant Governor then read a proclamation on behalf of Frank Murkowski, the Governor of the State of Alaska, that declared Tuesday, July 16 "Stanley Cup Day" in Alaska.

Gomez, to the thunderous ovation of the assembled, thanked everyone for their support. "This is for you, Anchorage!" he shouted, and the words had no sooner tumbled from his lips but the ovation began again. "I want you people to enjoy this moment! You deserve it and I thank you from the bottom of my heart!"

Time was tight, and Gomez worried that he wouldn't be able to meet everyone who had taken the time to come to Delaney Park Strip to greet him. The clock was ticking; the flight was scheduled for 7 p.m. that evening and 8,000 people wanted to shake Scott's hand. Working diligently, every single fan got the chance to congratulate Gomez. But it was six o'clock. A last handshake and the Stanley Cup was packed away and placed on a nearby fire truck with Scott and the Cup's Keeper, Mike Bolt in tow. Several police cars, sirens blaring and lights flashing, led a procession that wound its way from the park to the airport. Local motorists drove onto medians or up over curbs to get out of the way.

Within ten minutes, the entourage had roared into the departure area at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport. Gomez said his goodbyes to the Stanley Cup. It had been a great day, and Gomez had proven to be a wonderful ambassador not only to the New Jersey Devils, but also to the game of hockey. And if he's smart, after celebrating non-stop for 24 hours, Gomez is hopefully still asleep as you read this!

[Turbulence]

July 16-17 (http://www.nhl.com/hockeyu/history/cup/travels/madden072403.html)
July 24

It was Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Finals. John Madden, demonstrating why he's nicknamed "Mad Dog" by his teammates, was ferociously forechecking in Anaheim's defensive zone when a crosscheck from the Mighty Ducks' Sandis Ozolinsh sent him sprawling to the ice. In the resulting fracas, an errant skate blade carved a deep gash into Madden's cheek. Madden quickly retired to the dressing room and, missing just three shifts, returned with fresh stitches bridging a serious cut. Two games later, the Devils earned the Stanley Cup. Sports Illustrated ran a shot of the warrior holding the Cup aloft, his smile disguising the pain. With blackened eyes and a long red scar on his left cheek, Madden still mustered a broad smile that totally erased the damage inflicted on him by those Ducks.

Madden plays every shift as though his life depends upon it. It's one of the reasons he was selected the Selke Trophy winner as best defensive forward after his sophomore season (2000-01) and why he was runner-up to Jere Lehtinen of the Dallas Stars earlier this spring. Fiercely courageous, Madden loved the SI photograph and asked a friend to secure a copy so that he could have it duplicated and signed for friends. The photo epitomized the John Madden the NHL has come to know -- a warrior and a champion.

When the package arrived, Madden tore through the wrapping, anxious to study the picture once again. But "Mad Dog" got a surprise. Instead of the victor standing bloodied and bruised, his friend had used a computer program to touch up the photo. The black eyes had been artfully erased and the stitches had now mysteriously disappeared.

"Ah, man!!" Madden sighed. "What is this? Sports is supposed to be all about unedited drama. I don't even recognize the guy in this picture!"

His friend had decided to airbrush out the badges of courage of which John Madden was so proud.

Although having completed just his fourth full season in the NHL, Madden has not only established himself as one of the League's premier defensive forwards, but also as a champion. This is the second summer he has had the honor of spending a day with the Stanley Cup. As a rookie in 2000, Madden took the Cup home to his childhood neighborhood in Scarborough, Ontario. This visit by the Stanley Cup took on an entirely different complexion for Madden.

Late in the evening on Wednesday, July 16, the Stanley Cup arrived in East Hampton, Connecticut. The heritage town, although known as "Belltown USA," is decidedly quiet, and Madden's Stanley Cup celebration reflected his neighborhood. John and his wife, Lauren, wanted this Stanley Cup victory to be subdued, yet meaningful, and decided to share their celebration with two special couples -- Madden's childhood friend Sheldon and his wife plus a university pal, Rob, with his wife. The couples hung out at the Madden home, reminiscing and catching up on their respective lives while the Stanley Cup sat nearby.

Thursday, the couples continued their visit with the addition of John and Lauren's two children. Photographs of the group were taken, including some posed in John's prized 1964 Corvette. In the Devils dressing room during the season, Madden and assistant coach Larry Robinson often fell into conversations about their classic sports cars.

The couples retired to the garage for a serious game of table hockey, competing for the Stanley Cup. Later, the six examined the names inscribed on the Cup, throwing trivia related to past winners at each other. Madden's knowledge of hockey history is quite good; remarkable in fact for a 28-year old. It was a wonderful day spent thoroughly enjoying time spent with close friends. As intense as "Mad Dog" might be on the ice, he was a study in relaxation during his day with the Cup, savoring every special moment.

[Turbulence]

July 19-20 (http://www.nhl.com/hockeyu/history/cup/travels/gionta072003.html)
July 20

Opa! The Greek expression of celebration, and boy, was there a celebration in Greece on Saturday.

Greece, N.Y., is a suburb of Rochester, and the town where Brian Gionta was raised. It's a lovely town, just northwest of the city, and named to honor Greece's independence from Turkish rule in 1822.

Friday night, Gionta got a call from Mike Bolt, the Hockey Hall of Fame's Keeper of the Cup. The news wasn't good.

"Brian? There's been some damage to the Stanley Cup and it's not really displayable right now. I hope you don't have any concrete plans for the Cup later today," said Bolt.

Brian choked back a swallow and replied, "Ooh, well. Okay. I guess there's not much I can do..." Just then, Devils' teammate Joe Nieuwendyk grabbed the phone, "Gionta, you goof. He's pulling your chain," he said. Both ends of the phone line convulsed in laughter.

Joke finished, the Stanley Cup arrived in Greece just before 9 a.m. Brian and his wife, Harvest, just purchased a new home in the area but have yet to close the deal. As a result, the couple is staying with Harvest's parents.

In the meantime, Brian's parents, Sam and Penny, relayed stories about their son's hockey career. "See that van?" Sam pointed to a well-traveled vehicle in the driveway. "That baby has almost 400,000 miles on it," he said. "It's seen more highways than I care to remember. We drove everywhere to watch Brian play. When he was with the Niagara Scenics (1995-97), we got to all his games. Then, when he went off to Boston College (1997-2001), we drove to all his games. We try to get to as many Devils' games as we can now, too. Plus our son Steve is at Boston College right now and we get down to most of his games. Damn van doesn't owe us anything. Hell, it can practically find its own way to most hockey games!"

Just then, Brian arrived, ready for 'Brian Gionta Day' in Greece.

First, the family took photos with the Stanley Cup on the front lawn of the Gionta home. Then, Brian's uncle, Steve, arrived with a Hummer, ready to take the family to the mall at Greece Ridge Center. Brian was scheduled to meet fans from 10 until 11:30 a.m. Jim Hofford, the mall's manager, greeted the Giontas and pointed to the 3,500 locals who showed up as early as 6:20 that morning to see Brian and the Stanley Cup.

Hofford, who played with the minor-league Rochester Americans between 1984 and 1990 -- and also got a taste of NHL action with both Buffalo and Los Angeles -- proudly cradled the Cup and laughingly exclaimed, "I played hockey all my life, but it took becoming a mall manager for me to get to hold the Stanley Cup!"

Brian posed for pictures all morning and, when prodded by the crowd, would hoist the Stanley Cup over his head to the great delight and loud roar of the fans. Unfortunately, time commitments didn't allow Brian the opportunity to say hello to every person in line. At noon when he proclaimed, "The Devils will just have to win it again next year so the rest of you can get a shot with the Cup," the crowd nodded, clapped and smiled. Everyone understood. Donations from the visit to Greece Ridge Center went to Golisano's Children's Hospital.

The pace quickened, with Brian stopping by a local sports store to thank them personally for their support through the years. Then, it was over to his Dad's store, Weinberger's Ace Hardware, for more photographs with the Cup on display for customers. Brian worked there when he was a teenager.

At 2 p.m., the Hummer drove Brian, his wife and the Cup to Bathtub Billy's, a sports bar in Rochester. From the helmet-shaped entrance to the memorabilia on the walls, this is a great place to hang out. In fact, more than a thousand people did just that for three hours that afternoon, with Brian smiling widely (and wildly) the entire time. A newlywed couple heard that the Stanley Cup was on the premises and ducked into 'The Tub' for a wedding photo, her in beautiful long, white gown and him in his tux. It's a story they'll tell their kids and their kids' kids someday.

After a quick visit to the police department in Greece, Gionta took the Stanley Cup to the site of his new home for a few more photographs, and then returned to his parents' home for a private party.

The next-door neighbors arrived -- great friends of the Giontas -- and showed their absolute pride in Brian's accomplishments. They had saved all the newspaper clippings from Brian's career. During the Playoffs, they made up a cardboard and tinfoil replica of the Stanley Cup that made the local media. Brian made certain they got a long visit with the actual Stanley Cup.

Then, Brian snuck away with the Stanley Cup for a few minutes. He took the trophy up to his old room, still adorned with his childhood awards and trophies. "This is what every kid thinks about when he's playing," whispered Gionta. "I can't tell you how many times I've carried the Cup in my dreams."


Had all the hard work paid off for the second-year Devil? By watching Brian, his eyes closed and a slight smile tracing his lips as he held the Stanley Cup, you didn't need to wait for the answer. It was obvious.

The following day, the Stanley Cup was the special guest of Jacques Caron, the New Jersey Devils' goaltending coach. Caron is originally from Noranda, Quebec, but after a long playing career that included NHL action with the Kings, Blues and Canucks, and World Hockey Association stops with the Cleveland Crusaders and Cincinnati Stingers, Caron joined the AHL's Binghamton Broome Dusters as general manager, and then settled in the area.

Caron just celebrated his 10th anniversary of working with the netminders in the Devils' system. You understood how good a teacher he is after seeing one of his prized students, Martin Brodeur, accept both the Vezina and Jennings Trophies at the NHL Awards this past June.

Caron and his wife, Marjorie, recently moved into a new home in Vesta, just outside Binghamton and right on Cayuga Lake. The scenic location was a perfect backdrop for photographs with the Stanley Cup. The trophy arrived at 11 a.m. Sunday, with friends and family joining the Carons for pictures.

While photographs were being taken, a passing car screeched to a halt, the driver asking if that was really the Stanley Cup in Caron's possession. When Caron assured the incredulous driver that it was, he begged to have his picture taken with the Cup. Jacques and Marjorie chuckled and agreed. As the awe-struck fan pulled away, he shouted, "Hey Jacques, thanks a million! This picture will be on my Christmas card this December!"

Caron carried the Stanley Cup into a Mercedes convertible for a ride to the home of a friend who was throwing a Stanley Cup party for Caron and his wife. There was a band playing most of the afternoon, and roll after roll of film was shot with the Stanley Cup the focus of each picture.

Nieuwendyk, who lives nearby, dropped by to celebrate with Caron and his friends. Beautiful weather, great friends, good food and fun plus the Stanley Cup -- it was a perfect day Sunday in Vesta.

[Turbulence]

July 26 (http://www.nhl.com/hockeyu/history/cup/travels/index.html)
July 26
Brian Rafalski has come a long way in four years. When he signed with the New Jersey Devils as a free agent in May 1999, The Hockey News called him "...the best defenseman not playing in the NHL." Rafalski had been a standout during his four seasons as a Badger with the University of Wisconsin. He then starred in Finland for three seasons before he joined the Devils, so some might say he was Finnish-ed before he started.

When the Devils won the Stanley Cup in 2000, the Dearborn-born native took the Stanley Cup to his hometown in Michigan to celebrate. This year, Rafalski decided to share the championship trophy with his adopted state of Wisconsin -- the state in which he collected his degree in economics, met his wife Felicity and where he now resides during the off-season.

The Stanley Cup flew into Milwaukee on Saturday morning, and if there was any doubt in which Midwest state it had arrived, one needed look no further than the cheesehead headgear in every souvenir shop on the three-hour drive to the Rafalski home in Waupaca.

Brian, Felicity and their boys, Danny and Evan, had fallen in love with a cottage property on Round Lake near Waupaca. So when the home was put up for sale, the Rafalskis were quick to purchase it and in doing so, increased Round Lake's population to 871. The Devils' defenseman became the town's most-popular resident when he made plans to bring the Stanley Cup to their new neighborhood.

But before Brian displayed the Cup to his new neighbors, Felicity wanted to make sure her husband didn't slip up with hockey's holy grail a second time. While it may be hard for some to believe because Rafalski has such good hands on the ice, the two-time champion fumbled the Stanley Cup in 2000 the last time he had the trophy for a day. Although there was no damage, it certainly scared all those in attendance.

So, when Walt Neubrand from the Hockey Hall of Fame drove up to the cottage on Saturday, Felicity handed her husband a pair of Stanley rubberized gloves to make certain the cherished trophy didn't hit the ground again.

"Here you go, honey. You might want to wear these this year," Felicity said playfully.

"Ha ha - very funny, Felicity," Brian said in response to his wife's little joke.

The laughter continued the rest of the day as the Rafalskis enjoyed their time with the Cup with a bunch of family and friends. With the Cup set up on a nearby dock, Felicity, Brian and his best friend from Los Angeles, Rob, played beach volleyball on the edge of the lake. It was a beautiful day and a relaxing way to start the Stanley Cup's visit to the area.

By late afternoon, the group tucked into the house to dress for a private dinner party that evening at Foxfire on the Green, the excellent restaurant at the Foxfire Golf Course. Several of the invited guests had driven the eight hours into Waupaca from Brian's hometown of Dearborn. Foxfire is a beautiful golf course and a stunning background to an outstanding restaurant. Although a sign on the door read 'PRIVATE PARTY,' several people got a glimpse of the Stanley Cup from afar and were in awe of the silver chalice.

But not everybody who sneaked a peak knew about the Cup's history. One elderly couple glanced into the restaurant and proceeded to walk right in. But before Felicity could ask them to leave, the couple inquired, "Excuse me, but where are the coffee cups?" Felicity responded, "I'm very sorry, but this is a private party. That's the Stanley Cup," to which the gentleman, shocked, said, "Oh my, we do apologize, but I thought that was an ornate coffee urn!"

Following dinner, the group returned to the cottage on Round Lake and the party kicked into high gear. Brian had large pontoon boats ready to make the trip over to the Wheelhouse Restaurant. When the revelers piled onto the boat, waves curled up onto the deck. Someone thought fast and put a life preserver on the Stanley Cup, although there was no danger of the trophy going into the drink. The bar was rockin', with the Rhythm Dogs providing the soundtrack to the party with some fine R&B and partygoers got a chance to drink out of the Stanley Cup. Later on, Brian and the group took the Stanley Cup over to the Harbor Bar and sat it on the patio overlooking the lake. Again, Rafalski shared the Cup with those in attendance, allowing guests to once again drink out of the historic bowl. As the hands of the clock move towards 3AM, Brian thanked the fans and took the Cup back to his lakefront home, as he knew his 7:30 tee-off was approaching fast.

But Brian and his crew had no trouble getting up the next morning for a round of golf. Six groups of four took part in Rafalski's golf tournament back at Foxfire, a course with a challenging terrain, surrounded by mounds, ponds and natural fescue grasses. The Stanley Cup was set near the flagpole on the second hole, and the golfer who drove his or her ball closest to the Cup won bragging rights. Brian's buddy John, who had driven in from the Detroit area, won the contest, placing his ball five feet from the gleaming trophy.

Following the game, Brian had arranged to do an autograph signing at Foxfire on the Green. Brian and Felicity had been touched by the story of MaKenna Hausser. The darling two-year old was born with a congenital heart defect and endured her first of three operations at just nine days old. Her most recent surgery was July 12, and she is recuperating at Children's Hospital in Milwaukee. Brian encouraged donations be made to assist MaKenna and her Mom and Dad, Sara and Jay Hausser of nearby Bonduel. Although two hours had been set aside for signings, it took three hours for Brian to ensure that each fan got an autograph and a photograph with the Stanley Cup. When the afternoon was over, $10,000 had been raised to help MaKenna. "She's a real little fighter and we want to help her any way we can," Rafalski said. "Jay and Sara are good friends of Felicity and mine."

Sunday evening, Brian retired back to the cottage with the Cup. A little more beach volleyball was played with family and friends and then it was time for a catered dinner. It had been a long day, and Brian and his guests were exhausted. They relaxed over a good meal, then wound down the rest of the day with Stanley before saying their goodbyes. The trophy's next destination was Cloquet, Minnesota, just twenty minutes outside hockey-mad Duluth, where Devils' star Jamie Langenbrunner waited anxiously for his turn with the trophy.

In the next journal installment, find out how retired NHL forward Corey Millen influenced Jamie Langenbrunner's Stanley Cup celebration.

[Jeff O Rocks]

Langenbrunner............ :sick: ..sorry..

[nccanes]

But not everybody who sneaked a peak knew about the Cup's history. One elderly couple glanced into the restaurant and proceeded to walk right in. But before Felicity could ask them to leave, the couple inquired, "Excuse me, but where are the coffee cups?" Felicity responded, "I'm very sorry, but this is a private party. That's the Stanley Cup," to which the gentleman, shocked, said, "Oh my, we do apologize, but I thought that was an ornate coffee urn!"



:laugh:

[Turbulence]

July 21 (http://www.nhl.com/hockeyu/history/cup/travels/langenbrunner072903.html)
July 29

Jamie Langenbrunner promised himself he would never forget the feeling.

In fact, truth be told, there are two feelings Langenbrunner never wants to forget. One is the elation of winning the Stanley Cup; the other is sharing the Stanley Cup with his community.

"When I was 10 or 11-years- old, Corey Millen came back to Cloquet," Langenbrunner recalled. "I stood in line for a long time to get his autograph."

Langenbrunner remembers the special status Millen enjoyed as a United States Olympian returning to his hometown and receiving a hero's welcome.

"I still have the picture, too. 'To Jamie, Best of luck, Corey Millen.'"

Millen, the local boy who made good at the time, joined the NHL with the New York Rangers in 1989-90, and ironically, he and Langenbrunner, two boys from Cloquet, Minnesota, played together with the Dallas Stars in 1995-96. But the impact of that visit and that autograph stayed with Langenbrunner, and when his 24 hours with the Stanley Cup was discussed, there was no doubt that he'd take the Cup back home to share with the residents of Cloquet.

Cloquet is 30 minutes south of Duluth in the beautiful vacationland area of Minnesota at the gateway to Arrowhead Country and the Land of Agates. For a town of just 11,000, Cloquet has had three visits from the Stanley Cup in the last four years.

When Langenbrunner carried the Cup into town on July 21, it was his second visit to Cloquet with the trophy. He had previously brought the Cup as a member of the 1999 Stanley Cup-winning Dallas Stars. The trophy had an elongated stay that time as fellow Cloquet resident Derek Plante and Brett Hull, who summers in the area on Pike Lake, all were members of the championship Stars. Hull returned with the Stanley Cup in 2001 as a member of the Detroit Red Wings.

This time around, the Stanley Cup arrived in the area early in the afternoon. Jamie, his wife Elizabeth and their kids, Laine, Landon and Mason, live on Moose Lake in a serene location 10 minutes from Cloquet. Jamie started the day entertaining close family and friends with the Cup at his home. Then, on the way into town, Langenbrunner and his pals stopped at a Subway sandwich place and brought the Cup into the restaurant for fans to see. When the posse stopped for gas, one of Jamie's pals left without paying and had to hustle back with his compensation when he realized he had accidentally pumped and dashed. Jamie then visited a car dealership to show the sales team the Stanley Cup.

Finally, he visited his grandfather, who beamed like the butcher's dog when his grandson pulled up with the Stanley Cup. It really hadn't seemed that long ago that Grandpa had watched Jamie's first awkward strides, and now here he was, a two-time Stanley Cup champion.

At five o'clock, with the rain soaking the line comprised of hundreds of fans, Langenbrunner pulled up with the Stanley Cup to the Cloquet Area Recreation Center. Close to 5,000 fans waited their turn to get the autograph and a photograph of the 2003 Stanley Cup Playoff scoring leader. What was slated to be a three-hour signing session stretched into four hours, but that was fine by Jamie.

"Hey, I remember what it was like when I was a kid," Langenbruner said. "I remember waiting for Corey Millen's autograph for hours. I want the kids to get a chance to see the Cup. This is mostly for them. Some of the adults get pretty excited too, but for me, it's all about the kids. It's a lot more fun seeing their faces when they get up close to the Stanley Cup."

As Langenbrunner took the Stanley Cup into one of the dressing rooms to show the kids, he reminded them, "Once you've set your goal, you must never, ever give up."

Punctuating his point was a photograph on the wall. The shot showed Langenbrunner and Derek Plante holding the Stanley Cup in 1999. Both are wearing their Cloquet Lumberjacks jerseys, representing the high school both attended, although not at the same time. Langenbrunner was Minnesota's High School Player of the Year and collected All-State honors at Cloquet High School in 1992-93.

At 9 p.m., Langenbrunner took the Cup over to the Wood City Grill and Bar, a restaurant he owns in Cloquet. The visitors were delighted to have the Stanley Cup appear. Then, down the stairs he went for a private affair where he and his guests partied with the Stanley Cup until two Tuesday morning.

It was a short night. By 8a.m., Jamie was showered and shaved and carrying the Cup into the pre-school where his Mom works. After visiting with the children, the Cup was packed and taken first to the local police department, then to the fire department. Then, the itinerary took Jamie and the Cup to his parents? home. Mr. and Mrs. Langenbrunner had invited a number of people over to see the Stanley Cup, and Jamie was only too pleased to sign autographs and have pictures taken with neighbors and family friends.

Late Tuesday afternoon, it was back to Moose Lake. At their home, tents had been set up to house invited guests. Jamie and Elizabeth had planned well. In 1999, a thunderstorm had rolled in and put a damper on the party. There'd be no such impediment this year. They also had a shuttle bus running back and forth between the hotel in Cloquet and their home on Moose Lake.

After midnight, Jamie and some friends carried the Stanley Cup down the road to a barn owned by one of his neighbors. From the outside, you'd expect the rustic structure to be filled with the aromatic scent of hay and horses. But this was no ordinary barn. Carpeting, washrooms, a sauna and pool table greet visitors. And on this night, the Stanley Cup! The party continued here for another three hours.

It had been an extended and tiring couple of days and the Stanley Cup was scheduled to be in New Jersey on Wednesday by noon. Langenbrunner gave the heralded trophy a final kiss and raised it over his head in triumph one last time. Then, it was off to bed. Like the 10-year-old who dreamed of winning the Stanley Cup after meeting Corey Millen so many years earlier, Tuesday night, Jamie was likely dreaming again. Except this time, it was about returning to Cloquet with the Stanley Cup again in 2004.

[nccanes]

What a great thing that is unique to the NHL. :D

[Jeff O Rocks]

What a great thing that is unique to the NHL. :D

That is true Eileen. I bet half the guys that win the Superbowl or the NBA championship hardly even see their trophy, let alone take it home!! :spin:

[Stormbringer]

What a great thing that is unique to the NHL. :D

That is true Eileen. I bet half the guys that win the Superbowl or the NBA championship hardly even see their trophy, let alone take it home!! :spin:

If you think what Turby posted is interesting, take a peek at the following, then go out and get Why Is the Stanley Cup (Still) In Mario Lemieux's Swimming Pool?...excellent reading that book provides. :spin:

http://www.snopes.com/sports/hockey/stanley.htm

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1572433906/102-9755921-5190534?vi=glance

[nccanes]

Well, I was just referring to the fact that the trophy (and the tradition) is very unique in the world of sports. I think it's great. :)

I have that book too.

[Stormbringer]

Well, I was just referring to the fact that the trophy (and the tradition) is very unique in the world of sports. I think it's great. :)

I think it is too...I was just providing more info for those who have found Turby's postings/thread thus far interesting. :)

[Shell]

They check the cup as baggage on regular flights???!?

Stanley Cup gets lost in transit
Pavel Barta. Special to canada.com
Friday, August 01, 2003

After frantic search, the Cup was found at Toronto's Pearson International Airport.

The first-ever visit of the Stanley Cup to Slovakia was delayed when the Austrian Airlines regular flight from Vienna to Kosice landed in the Eastern Slovakian city Thursday afternoon with two NHL guards but no Cup.

New Jersey Devils defenceman Jiri Bicek was expected to show the Stanley Cup in a celebration on the city's main street and the party was supposed to last till Friday noon when defenceman Richard Smehlik would help bring it to Ostrava.

After frantic search, the Cup was found at Toronto's Pearson International Airport: it never left the ground.

While agreeing a situation like this hasn't happened in the last 100 years, one of the NHL guards, Walter Neubrand, said these things still can happen -- "We don't live in a perfect world. After all, it does happen that airline passengers can't find their luggage on arrival."

Still, the delay throws a monkey-wrench in the celebrations in Slovakia and the Czech Republic: even if the Cup makes it on the next flight out of Toronto, parties at Kosice, Ostrava and Znojmo and Trebic, the latter two hosted by forward Patrik Elias, would have to be re-arranged at the last minute or it may happen that at least one of the players will host his party in the Cup's absence.

Following celebrations in Slovakia and the Czech Republic, the Stanley Cup is supposed to travel to Russia.

[VandyCane]

That's funny. Those Visa commercials always show the cup riding in the airport cart like a ticketed passenger. I guess that's for domestic travel only, the NHL may not want to pay for the international fare! :crazy:

[nccanes]

Looks like it made it! :D

http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20030801/capt.1059771378.slovakia_stanley_cup_ctk102.jpg
Jiri Bicek of the New Jersey Devils, back, and his wife Lenka Bicekova, back right, show the famous Stanley Cup to children patients of oncology division of Kosice hospital on Friday, Aug. 1, 2003. On Thursday, after a long period of nervous waiting and searching in Kosice, it was found out that the Stanley Cup had remained in the Toronto airport, because the airport personnel had allegedly found it weighed too much to be carried. It arrived in Kosice this afternoon with a day-long delay.

http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20030801/capt.1059770601.slovakia_stanely_cup_ctk101.jpg
Jiri Bicek of the New Jersey Devils lifts up the famous Stanley Cup as hockey fans in Kosice, SLovakia, could finally view the trophy in their hometown on Friday, Aug. 1, 2003. On Thursday, after a long period of nervous waiting and searching in Kosice, it was found that the Stanley Cup had remained in the Toronto airport, since the airport personnel had allegedly found it weighed too much to be carried. It arrived in Kosice this afternoon with a day-long delay.

[Jeff O Rocks]

You all know it wasn't a coincidence that it got lost in Toronto. You know some of those Leaf players/fans tried to steal it cause that is the ONLY way they will ever have!!! :D I bet if you look closely in any of the photos in Toronto, you will see Domi and Sundin in the background all in black with shoe polish on their faces and a piece of tree sticking out of their clothes (camouflage). :laugh: and just for SHC, look for Darcy too!! :p ;)

[Shell]

LMAO Mona! http://www.tridead.net/canes/images/smilies/rofl.gif

[Stormbringer]

http://www.gamers-forums.com/smilies/otn/realhappy/xxrotflmao.gif

[Turbulence]

July 31 (http://www.nhl.com/hockeyu/history/cup/travels/carpente_conte080103.html)
August 1


Bob Carpenter spent 18 seasons in the NHL trenches, battling first for the Washington Capitals, then later playing with the Rangers, Kings, Bruins and the New Jersey Devils. Carpenter retired as a Devil in 1999, having collected 728 points in 1,178 regular-season games. At the time, he was just the fifth American-born player to have played in 1,000 NHL contests, following Neal Broten, Dave Christian, Joey Mullen and Gordie Roberts.

After retiring, Carpenter was hired by the Devils to join the coaching staff, and assisted the team during the 2000 Stanley Cup championship run. In 2002-03, Carpenter aided head coach Pat Burns and played a key role in the Devils' acknowledged tenacity.

Carpenter knows about determination - in 1981, he jumped straight from high school (St. John's Prep in Danvers, Massachusetts) to the NHL and proceeded to score 32 goals as an 18-year old rookie for the Capitals.

"In 2000 when the Devils won the Cup, I had a party for more than 700 people," Carpenter recalled as he awaited his day with the Stanley Cup. "That was a wild time! This time, though, it's for a few close friends and my family."

Right on schedule, at 11:30 Saturday morning, July 26, the Stanley Cup arrived at the Carpenter home in Alton Bay, New Hampshire.

The first order of business was a series of professional photographs with Carpenter, his wife, Julie, and their children, Alexandra, Robert and Brendan. With the Stanley Cup situated in their midst, it wasn't difficult for the Carpenters to find their A-game smiles. Then, by mid-afternoon, the party began. Sitting on the Eastern Seaboard, it was appropriate to have a clambake and lobster feast, and no one left the party hungry.

While relaxing around the yard, Carpenter proposed a ball hockey game and had no shortage of competitors volunteering to play. He took one side with a gaggle of kids while his friend Chippy lined up on the other side with the rest of the children.

"Hey, what about me?" asked Walt Neubrand, the Cup's keeper. Chippy and Bobby flipped a coin. "Damn, I lost," Chippy said. "Walt, I guess you're on my side." The first team to 20 won the contest -- and the Stanley Cup! The teams battled, and the game was closerthanthis, but Chippy's team scored Goal No. 20 to capture their own version of the Stanley Cup championship. Walt was the netminder on Chippy's team and observed: "Bobby Carpenter hasn't lost his scoring touch, that's for sure!" In fact, Carpenter was the first U.S.-born NHL player to score 50 or more goals in a single season, firing 53 with the Capitals in 1984-85.

To relax after the game, many of the 20 invited guests climbed into the Jacuzzi. Afterwards, the friends sat by the fire pit, regaling each other with wonderful memories of long-standing friendship while the Stanley Cup cast its own unique shadow from the light of the dancing flames. But as the group enjoyed a quiet evening, Bobby's competitive urges got the better of him. "OK, who's in for a game of shuffleboard? Whaddya think, winner gets the Stanley Cup?"

The small group sat enjoying the celebration of both the hockey championship and of good friendship until three in the morning. Although it was very late, all knew the night's conclusion had arrived far too soon. The Stanley Cup would be on its way to another destination at the crack of dawn.

At 7 a.m., the trophy was back on the highway. It's an incredible one-hour journey between Alton Bay, New Hampshire and York, Maine, with the scenery providing breathtaking greenery and some of the most incredible architecture imaginable. York was settled in 1630 and is one of the oldest towns in the United States, so history literally permeates the entire region. And it's in York, Maine that David Conte, the Devils' director of scouting, added a new chapter of history by returning to the town of 13,000 with the Stanley Cup.

Once upon a time, Conte was quite a hockey player himself. Born in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Conte attended Colgate University where he was selected the most valuable player in 1971. After graduating, David played two seasons in Finland, two in Italy and a fifth in Spain. He then joined the Washington Capitals as a scout for five seasons before the Devils hired him in 1984. Conte completed his 10th season as New Jersey's director of scouting this spring with his third Stanley Cup championship. Among his peers, he is regarded as the best in the business, and with a franchise comprised of homegrown talent like Martin Brodeur, Sergei Brylin, Scott Gomez, John Madden and Scott Niedermayer, you can understand why.

"What a great team," Conte said. "They just showed so much heart; so much desire. It's guys like Jamie Langenbrunner and Brian Gionta who epitomize what I mean. They're tough boys. People think a tough guy has to lay out big hits, but that's so wrong. Langenbrunner and Gionta absorbed anything that came at them and just kept going. That's why the Devils won the Stanley Cup, because of incredible work ethic. What a great group of guys!"

Conte still plays hockey regularly, and his first stop was 8:30 Sunday morning for his weekly pickup game at the Dover Ice Arena in nearby Dover, New Hampshire. The hockey pals played a spirited game with the Stanley Cup on display nearby for inspiration. After the game, each of the players pulled out a camera and had a photograph taken in full hockey gear alongside the Cup. Afterwards, Conte crossed the street with the Stanley Cup to show the gang at Philbrick's Sports.

He then took the Stanley Cup to his favorite golf course, the spectacular Ledges Golf Club in York. It's difficult to concentrate with scenery that beautiful, let alone catch a glimpse of a wild critter ducking out of its hiding spot to get a better look at the proceedings. Conte placed the Cup on the first tee, making it available for his colleagues at the club to get a photograph with the Devils' hard-won reward. But as much as the golfers were in awe, few could imagine the excitement when Conte brought the Stanley Cup to York Corner Gardens. "Oh my God, this is great! Thank you so much for bringing the Stanley Cup to our fruit stand!"

Conte then took the Stanley Cup to York Harbor where a friend owns a boat. David's son Jeremy was waiting there along with David's friend Elly and her daughter Mary. Other friends also arrived for the trip. The boat skimmed northeast along the rocky Maine coast dotted with periodic white sandy beaches. It tucked around Cape Neddick, then headed past Bald Head Cliff on its way to Ogunquit and extraordinary Perkins Cove, the tidewater basin where the Josias River meets the Atlantic Ocean. Throughout the trip, people on the shore would do double takes as they'd glance up at the boat and see something they certainly weren't expecting

It had been a glorious day on the water, but there was a house party waiting back at Conte's house. After docking back at York Harbor, Conte drove the Stanley Cup to his home, a terrific old Victorian house filled with New England knickknacks. "I like this area a whole lot," Conte said. "I wanted to get a property along the Southern Maine Coast." Through the course of the afternoon, Conte and the Stanley Cup were greeted by 400 friends and acquaintances. Each feasted on lobster and clams in a tent set up in Conte's backyard.

The party wound down at eleven o'clock Sunday night. David explained, "It's important to get a great sleep. We're going to be up at five for a very special treat."

Monday morning was barely a notion when Conte shook Neubrand awake. "Walt, come on. Get up. It's five!" Yawning, Neubrand asked Conte how he slept. "Slept? I haven't been to bed yet!"

Conte took the Stanley Cup to the historic Nubble Lighthouse to observe a sunrise like no other on earth. The southernmost of Maine's many lighthouses, Nubble Light was built in 1879 on a rocky island called the Nubble at Cape Neddick Peninsula. In actuality, the lighthouse's proper name is Cape Neddick Light. The lighthouse is in a 41-foot tower that is part of a six-room Victorian house built in the shape of a cross. The red light flashes every six seconds and can be seen distinctly for 13 miles out into the ocean.

Cape Neddick can get extremely windy, but on Monday, it was a perfect day to gaze at the panorama of the Maine skyline. Conte invited a professional photographer along to capture the beauty of the Stanley Cup nestled beside Nubble Lighthouse in the light of an Eastern Seaboard morning. For three hours, Conte stayed at Cape Neddick with the Stanley Cup, smelling the salty breeze in the warm air, watching the tide come in and observing the sun elevate from the horizon.

"It doesn't get more beautiful than this, does it?" Conte asked.

No one could argue the point.

[Turbulence]

August 7 (http://www.nhl.com/hockeyu/history/cup/travels/white080703.html)
August 7


A visit from the Stanley Cup is a rare and momentous occasion. There are communities that will likely never see the Stanley Cup any time in the near future.

But the town of New Glasgow on Nova Scotia's beautiful Northumberland Shore had its third visit from the gleaming, silver trophy when it arrived as a special guest of New Jersey's defenseman Colin White on July 28.

The Stanley Cup flew into Halifax earlier in the day, and White was there, eager to collect hockey's greatest prize. They made the trip from the airport to New Glasgow, following the winding road that has witnessed some of Canada's earliest history.

New Glasgow has been an important home to shipbuilding since 1840, but today, is as well known for its production of hockey players. Lowell MacDonald, whose career traces back to the Original Six era, was the first New Glasgow talent to crack an NHL lineup when he debuted as a Detroit Red Wing during the 1961-62 season. MacDonald went on to win the Masterton Trophy in 1973 for perseverance and dedication to hockey. Jon Sim brought the Stanley Cup home to New Glasgow in 1999 after his Dallas Stars captured the big prize. Then White went to town. The hulking 6-foot-4 White swooped into New Glasgow with the Cup during the summer of 2000 and returned again three years later.

It had been a long day already. White glanced up after the 90-minute drive and pointed out the town's tartan decorating the George Street Bridge. After arriving, White and his friends hung out in the basement of his home, playing euchre, with the Stanley Cup nearby. It was a relaxing start to the Cup's visit to New Glasgow, but the next day was jam-packed with scheduled activities. The boys finally turned the lights out at two in the morning to get some rest.

The alarm went off at 7:30 a.m. on July 29. After getting ready, a limousine took White and the Stanley Cup to the arena that had seen his earliest hockey forays -- New Glasgow Stadium. There, he met up with a number of pals, including two who also play in the NHL, Derrick Walser, who played his rookie season last year with the Columbus Blue Jackets, and the aforementioned Sim, whose 2002-03 NHL season included stops in Dallas, Nashville and Los Angeles. Along with several other friends, Colin set up a ball hockey tournament. It was a best-of-three affair, with the winning team getting the bragging rights and the chance to pose with the Stanley Cup, while the losing team had to take the picture. Appropriately, Colin's team won the mini-tournament, and he and the boys crowded around their prize for a photo.

The Stanley Cup made a visit to the New Glasgow Police Department, where officers and their families took photographs with the Cup and got Colin to sign pictures to commemorate a great day.

At 3 p.m., the Town of New Glasgow opened its arms and welcomed the triumphant return of native son, White, with a parade through the town. It began at the New Glasgow Stadium, with the squeal of the pipes from the Fraser Holmes Ladies Memorial Pipe Band leading the way. White, his wife Amy and their little girl, Jordyn, rode in a classic 1957 Ford Fairlane convertible with the Stanley Cup following closely behind in a 1935 Auburn. Following the guests of honor were minor hockey teams from across Pictou County. Many wore their own sweaters, but a number of Devils jerseys with White's Number 5 also paraded along the route. The streets were lined with fans, many holding signs.

"Man, some of these folks drove in from New Brunswick," said White, who then caught the sight of one special sign, adding; "Lord, those folks are in from Newfoundland!" All along the parade route, businesses and residences displayed signs congratulating White and the New Jersey Devils on their Stanley Cup victory. The entourage stopped briefly in front of Town Hall, a gorgeous example of nineteenth century architecture, and Mayor Ann MacLean greeted White and his family.

"We're so proud of him," the mayor said. "Colin had an excellent series and he played so well!" White was clearly overwhelmed by the attention. "You never get used to it," he said.

In 2000 when the Devils won the Cup, White returned home to New Glasgow, a town of 10,000 residents, and stayed with his parents, although he married Amy later that summer. This time, the couple has their own home, and it hosted a party for more than 100 friends and family after the parade concluded. The Stanley Cup sat by the pool as the party built momentum. Champagne spilled from the bowl of the Cup into the anxious mouths of White's guests. But at nine o'clock, the party wrapped up. Colin had additional business to attend to -- he was taking the Stanley Cup to the streets of New Glasgow. White and his buddies took the Cup to some of the drinking establishments around town. His friends were so excited, you'd be hard-pressed to decide who it was who had actually won the Cup.

Unlike many NHLers, Derrick Walser showed no superstitions about carrying the Stanley Cup before he had actually won it. And Colin's friend Mark was more than eager to show the Stanley Cup to New Glasgow hockey fans. Everywhere they went, people saluted White and the Stanley Cup.

White and his friend Mark decided to stop for something to eat and pulled into a McDonald's drive-through. The line came to a full stop as the staff peeked through the drive-through window to get a look at the Stanley Cup.

"Come on, let's go," yelled a guy several cars back in the lineup. "I haven't got all night!" White wheeled around and held the Cup. "Dude! I'm sorry," the guy replied. "I had no idea it was the Stanley Cup. Stay as long as you want!"

During the Stanley Cup Finals between the Devils and Mighty Ducks, the Nova Scotia towns of New Glasgow and Antigonish made a friendly wager. Anaheim's assistant coach, Paul MacLean, hails from Antigonish, and that town's Deputy Warden, Colin Chisholm, made a bet with New Glasgow councilor Dan MacLeod. If Paul MacLean and the Mighty Ducks won the Stanley Cup, New Glasgow had to fly the Antigonish flag for a day. But if New Glasgow's Colin White and his New Jersey Devils won the championship, Antigonish had to fly the New Glasgow flag.

New Glasgow's town flag proudly waved in the breeze over the Town of Antigonish ... thanks to Colin White.

[Turbulence]

August 13 (http://www.nhl.com/hockeyu/history/cup/travels/elias_smehlik081303.html)
August 13

Entering his 10th NHL season, Richard Smehlik pulled on an unfamiliar sweater for the first time. After nine seasons starring with the Buffalo Sabres, starting the 2002-03 season with the Atlanta Thrashers was a surprising move for the big Czech.

In fact, Smehlik enjoyed his time with the Sabres to such a degree that he still maintains his residence in the Buffalo suburb of East Amherst. But Atlanta didn't prove to be a permanent destination.

Just before the NHL trade deadline, New Jersey Devils GM Lou Lamoriello engineered two deals that were considered relatively minor at the time. But over time, the trades enhanced the Devils' chances of winning the Stanley Cup. One was securing Grant Marshall from Columbus. The other was picking up Smehlik from the Thrashers. Smehlik was a steadying force on the blue line and added yet another veteran to a defense corps that already included leadership in the guise of Scott Stevens, Ken Daneyko and Tommy Albelin.

After leaving Jiri Bicek and Kosice, Slovakia at 3 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 2, the Stanley Cup was driven five hours and 45 minutes west to Ostrava in the Czech Republic -- the birthplace of Richard Smehlik. Smehlik's visit with the Stanley Cup was abbreviated, and although disappointed, he took it well.

"That's the way it is," he said. "It's unfortunate but there's not much you can do."

After missing a flight from Toronto, the Stanley Cup had arrived in Europe 24 hours later than expected, and it was necessary to condense the schedule.

With 320,000 residents, Ostrava is the third largest city in the Czech Republic. The historic city (records date the first settlement as early as the 13th century) is a large urban centre, but features a surprising amount of green space, including the Polanka Forest, which is part of Odra River National Park.

The day in Ostrava began with a stop at a car dealership specializing in American automobiles. After a quick visit and some photographs, Smehlik maximized the time allotted in his itinerary, taking the Stanley Cup to several locations in his birthplace -- City Hall, the Town Square and then to the police station where Richard was able to hook up with an old friend. At noon, Smehlik took the Stanley Cup to a local mall where over a thousand anxious hockey fans waited to get an autograph and a photo with the star and his trophy.

Afterwards, Smehlik met a number of friends at a sports-themed restaurant. The dining spot was especially interesting in that, on the back of each chair, the name of a well-known NHL player from the Czech Republic had been stenciled. Smehlik wasn't interested in searching out his own seat and sat randomly in the Jiri Dopita chair instead.

Other chairs around the dining area included ones for Radek Bonk, Roman Hamrlik, Bobby Holik, Jaromir Jagr, Robert Lang, Robert Reichel, Jiri Slegr and Martin Straka. In tribute to the guest of honor, the restaurant played a video of Game 7 between the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim and the victorious New Jersey Devils.

At 4 o'clock, the Stanley Cup had to be transferred over Patrik Elias. Elias sent a helicopter over to pick up the Stanley Cup and make the 45-minute flight to Znojmo, a historic city on the southern border of the Czech Republic.

The Rotunda of Saint Katharina, a national cultural monument located in Znojmo, identifies the town's earliest days and although built in the first half of the 11th century, still exists in the city today. The Rotunda could be pinpointed from the helicopter, which finally set down at a compound with emergency vehicles and other helicopters. There, the Stanley Cup was greeted by local media. After assorted interviews, the helicopter again lifted off and touched down on a helicopter pad at a nearby hospital. Although Elias didn't get the opportunity to go inside, he met many of the patients outside the hospital.

From there, the Stanley Cup was taken over to the arena, where a huge reception was set. Over 8,000 fans watched a live video feed of Elias and the Stanley Cup on the center ice screen. In real time, they were able to see the Stanley Cup with Elias at the hospital, watch him put the Cup into the vehicle and transport it to the arena and then let out a gigantic roar as the screen depicted Elias carrying the Stanley Cup into the arena where they sat. Elias waved to the crowd as he walked up the symbolic red carpet and climbed the stage at center ice where he placed the Stanley Cup, gleaming and polished, in the middle of a table and stood back as the camera flashes nearly blinded him. Local dignitaries from Znojmo made presentations to Elias. He intended to do an extensive autograph session, but when the surging crowd pushed forward to the point that the table at which he sat broke, Elias abandoned the idea both for his own safety and for that of the Stanley Cup. Elias ducked into a backstage area with the organizers of the event for photographs, autographs and celebratory drinks.

Elias and the Stanley Cup arrived at the hotel for the party that Saturday evening. Included was an outstanding buffet including many of the fine food items reflective of Czech culture -- potato soup, fish and breads, roast pork with dumplings and sauerkraut. Celebrating with Elias were his fiancee Yvonne, his agent and a number of friends from his days as a junior playing with Poldi Kladno.

"Let's turn it up a notch," Patrik suggested, and at 9 p.m. selected friends descended to a fabulous bar in the basement of the hotel. There were no windows, implying the feel of a wine cellar, and the party-goers danced to a band and chatted animatedly until 4:30 Sunday morning.

?Co Cech, to muzikant," Elias said to the amusement of his friends. Elias leaned over to the Cup Keepers and translated himself. "So many Czechs, so many musicians.?

Seven-thirty arrived a little sooner than anyone was prepared for, but when the alarm went off, Elias pulled himself together for the 40-minte drive to Trebic, his hometown. There, he visited the mayor's office first, then crossed the square with the Stanley Cup to the roar of 4,500 hometown friends and fans. The Stanley Cup was placed on a table in the square, and after speeches and presentations, photos and toasts, Elias settled in for a morning of signing. Three hours later as the clock struck noon, Elias had signed the last of the autographs for the excited fans.

After a patio lunch, Elias seated the Stanley Cup next to him in his Porsche, and with his fianc?e and family following behind, drove to the Trebic Castle for some awe-inspiring photographs outside the baroque monument.

It had been a full and eventful day and Elias utilized every moment available with the Stanley Cup well.

[Turbulence]

August 4-6 (http://www.nhl.com/hockeyu/history/cup/travels/brylin_tverdovsky081903.html)
August 19

The Stanley Cup sat in the airport in Prague late Sunday (Aug. 3), waiting to be checked through for its flight to Moscow.

"I am sorry gentlemen, but this container is overweight and we will have to charge you extra," a man at the check-in counter explained apologetically. "It will be quite expensive because this case is very, very heavy."

Resigned to the financial fate, the Cup Keepers shrugged and pulled out a corporate credit card. This wasn't a new scenario by any means, but was not a regular occurrence. But as the large blue case housing the Stanley Cup ran through the x-ray, an animated agent exclaimed, "Holy cow! Is this the Stanley Cup?" "Uh huh," came the reply. "Oh my word! Guys -- I've got the Stanley Cup here!"

The agent called his colleagues over. "Can we look at it?" "Sure," came the reply from the Keeper of the Cup. As the case was opened and the brilliant trophy removed, the flight manager stepped forward. "Boys," he started, "Thank you for the opportunity to see this historic trophy and thank you for bringing it to our country. Don't worry about paying the added freight cost, I'll waive the amount and you're fine to go on. And by the way, as our thanks to you, we've upgraded you to business class seats. Please enjoy your flight!"

The flight from Prague to Moscow took two hours, and at 1:15 early on Monday, Aug. 4, the Stanley Cup returned to Moscow Airport. This was but the third time the Stanley Cup had visited Russia. The first was in 1997 when Slava Fetisov, Slava Kozlov and Igor Larionov brought the Stanley Cup home after the Detroit Red Wings won the championship. Last year, after Detroit's victory, Larionov and teammates Pavel Datsyuk and Sergei Fedorov brought the Cup back to Russian soil.

On Monday, Oleg Tverdovsky and Sergei Brylin met the plane at the arrival deck and escorted the Stanley Cup to a VIP holding area while passports were processed. Within moments, Tverdovsky pulled out one of the seven bottles of champagne he had purchased en route, and the bowl of the Stanley Cup was filled to the brim with the sweet nectar of champions. Tverdovsky passed the Cup from his agent to one of his friends, each taking a healthy sip from the legendary mug. A number of media members were also present, and at 2:15 that morning, a press conference featuring both Tverdovsky and Brylin took place.

As the parties exited the holding area, Tverdovsky looked at the Cup Keepers and said, "You guys ride with the guy with the weapon." The boys from the Hockey Hall of Fame couldn't move. It was almost as if their feet were cemented to the Russian sidewalk. "Wha-wha-what?!"

"Yes," Tverdovsky said. "You will find that everywhere we go in Moscow, there will be an armed guard." "Are you concerned about something happening," asked Mike Bolt, one of the two people escorting the Stanley Cup. "Concerned? No," said Tverdovsky. "But you never know. It's just the way things are done here."

The mini-convey of two Mercedes and an SUV holding the Stanley Cup whisked into an exclusive enclave approximately 20 minutes from the airport where Russian President Vladimir Putin also resides. There, at three in the morning, a feast had been laid out for Tverdvosky and his guests -- fish, breads, salads, cheese plus the requisite wine and vodka. Toasts were made to the champion.

"We respect the Stanley Cup and know how much it means to Oleg and the NHL, but hope some day to have a Russian trophy that means the same to this country," said one celebrant as he raised a glass of vodka to honour Tverdovsky.
The welcoming party dispersed just after 6 a.m. and with a Moscow sunrise very much in evidence, the Stanley Cup was taken to the Moscow Renaissance Hotel. Within hours, the Cup was on its way once again.

Tverdovsky met the guys from the Hockey Hall of Fame at 12:30 that Monday afternoon and led the Stanley Cup to the first of two arenas. Both featured a gaggle of kids on the ice honing their skills. Tverdovsky had once played at the second arena with Krylja Sovetov (Soviet Wings) before moving to North America and joining the Brandon Wheat Kings in 1994 as an 18-year-old junior. All the children got their photographs taken with Tverdovsky and the Stanley Cup, and there was no doubt that each one of those kids knew the significance of the trophy with which they posed!

After leaving the second arena, Tverdovsky took the Stanley Cup to the gym where he works out -- a relatively new Gold's Gym. While there, the group ate lunch and met more of the media wanting to cover his visit to Moscow with the Stanley Cup.

Mid-afternoon, the Stanley Cup was driven to a large hotel where it would reside for the rest of the day. Tverdovsky set the Cup up in a private room and for almost two hours, a media reception took place. As the reporters were leaving, Tverdovsky's friends began to arrive for a party in his honor that evening. Teammate Sergei Brylin showed up, as did NHL greats Slava Fetisov and Igor Larionov. Exhibiting the finest in Russian hospitality, the party-goers were well fed and well-watered.

"It is very special to bring the Cup home to Russia and show all the people here," beamed Tverdovsky. The Russian hockey players are very aware how much the Stanley Cup means to fans in their homeland. "I can't even explain what I feel like," Tverdovsky blurted excitedly last June in the Devils' dressing room after being presented with the trophy. "We won the Cup. My name is going to be on the Stanley Cup. That is something I will always remember."

Ironically, Oleg joined New Jersey from Anaheim prior to the 2002-03 season in a deal that also brought Jeff Friesen to the Devils.

The party continued until three o'clock in the morning before sound minds wrapped up the celebration. At 7:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 5, it would be Brylin's turn to celebrate with the Stanley Cup. Brylin met the Cup Keepers in the hotel lobby, then they all made their way to a television station.

In the United States, early morning television viewers watch Good Morning America. In Canada, it's Canada AM. In Russia, the most viewed morning show is Dobroye Utro and it's on that popular show that Brylin brought the Stanley Cup.

"It's always special to have the Cup," Brylin said. "I thought it would be great for my family, friends and fans in Russia."

Although this is the third Stanley Cup victory for Brylin, on both prior occasions, Sergei and his wife Elena celebrated with the Stanley Cup at their home in New Jersey.

After the television show, Brylin carried the Stanley Cup out of the downtown studio. The Cup Keepers were seriously taken aback to see guards with machine guns outside the TV station, but Brylin explained that it was the way of life in much of Russia, and that no one should feel nervous or intimidated.

The Stanley Cup was driven to the Moscow suburb of Khimki and the home of Brylin's parents. The Brylins live in a seven-story apartment complex northwest of the Russian megacity. Stepping inside, Brylin walked hockey's ultimate prize into the bedroom that, not so long ago, he once used to dream about playing in the NHL. Sergei's hockey items from his childhood have been left intact. His hockey cards are still there; many hanging on the walls where they were taped when Brylin was a boy. "It's a great honor to now have my picture on a hockey card just like the ones I used to collect," Sergei said with no small amount of pride in his voice. Looking out the window past a dog-eared poster of Patrick Roy, Sergei pointed out the spot where he and his neighborhood friends played street hockey long before his move to North America in 1994.

After saying goodbye to his mother, father and sister, Brylin took the Stanley Cup around Moscow.

"This is my first time bringing the Cup home to Moscow, and you never know if you're going to get another chance. I want to show the Stanley Cup to as many people as possible!" he said.

Red Square was closed that day, so Brylin was unable to take the Cup to what many regard as Moscow's most famous site. The Cup posse stopped at a fitness club called Wild, and the management presented Brylin with flowers as the media looked on. They later went to a friend's printing shop, where 1,000 red t-shirts had been prepared with the date and a photograph of Sergei Brylin holding the Stanley Cup. There, with champagne and hors d'oeuvres, they celebrated Brylin's third cup. A massive banner had been prepared that, translated, read: Sergei Brylin, New Jersey Devils, congratulations.

The Stanley Cup, as always under the watchful eye of fully-armed guards, then went over to a press conference at the Izvestia office. Moscow City Duma's Vladimir Platonov presided over the event, which included Brylin, his father and a number of other Russian athletes. An animated discussion about the state of hockey in Russia ensued.

A private party was then on the agenda, held at the Moscow Sheraton. Family and close friends entered the reception hall at 6 p.m. to the sight of cakes made in the shape of the Stanley Cup. Vodka was being poured liberally and the food was incredible -- sweet and sour chicken, pork, roast beef and plenty of vegetables and salads. Attendees, including Tverdovsky and Vladimir Bure, enjoyed themselves immensely. Bure is the Devils' fitness consultant and an Olympic athlete from Russia. Two of his sons know a little bit about hockey too: Pavel and Valeri Bure.

Brylin had another trick up his sleeve. "I've rented Stone, and I want you all to come and we can celebrate there." Stone is one of Moscow's most exciting and exclusive nightclubs, and they closed their doors to the public that night for Brylin's party.

"When I went to book it, they didn't want to rent it to me," chuckled Brylin. "It didn't matter who I was or whether I had the Stanley Cup. It took a while, but I was finally able to convince them to rent it to me."

The club has the feel of a cave, but has pink fur on its walls. It's unusual, but that's what makes it so much fun. Brylin and his friends danced and enjoyed their evening thoroughly.

The party didn't go too late in relative terms. At 12:30 early Wednesday morning, it was time to put the Stanley Cup back in its case. By six o'clock, it would be on a plane from Moscow to Stockholm, Sweden.

[Turbulence]

August 11 (http://www.nhl.com/hockeyu/history/cup/travels/rupp082103.html)
August 21

Imagine the pressure of being a 23-year-old rookie and stepping into the lineup during a Stanley Cup Final to replace an injured star like Joe Nieuwendyk. Then, imagine the "pinch me, I must be dreaming" elation when you tip a Scott Niedermayer blast past Anaheim's Jean-Sebastien Giguere at 2:22 of the second period to score what would hold up to be the goal that wins your team the Stanley Cup!

Welcome to the world of Michael Rupp.

Rupp is a big, strapping prospect with "potential" stamped all over him. At 6-foot-5 and 230 pounds, Rupp has the size that makes scouts drool. But it was his soft hands that made him so irresistible that the New York Islanders used their first-round pick, No. 9 overall, to select Rupp in the 1998 Entry Draft. When he wasn't signed on Long Island, Rupp went back into the draft in 2000 and was picked up by the New Jersey Devils in the third round.

Waiting for his chance with the big club, Rupp spent two seasons with the Albany River Rats of the AHL. Then, Rupp got the call he had dreamed of and joined the parent Devils earlier in the 2002-03 season, spending 26 regular-season games in New Jersey.

How did the kid from Cleveland feel at the time when he was told he'd playing in Game 7 with all the marbles on the line?

"I felt really good today," he said, grinning ear to ear after the game. "The leadership and the veterans kept me very calm. I think that's the most calm today that I've been in my NHL career."

The Stanley Cup hero met the trophy he'd helped the Devils earn just past 1 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 11. With him stood his wife, Christi, and their baby daughter, Madeline. Although sound asleep, nine month-old Madeline was wearing her miniature Devils sweater, with "Lil Rupper" written in letters on the back. Mike's Mom, Debbie, and stepfather, Bill Coyle, recorded the Cup's arrival with their video camera.

At 8 that morning, Rupp hosted a breakfast for a handful of family and friends at the Bob Evans Family Restaurant near the family's home in Brunswick, Ohio. With the Stanley Cup seated at a nearby table, astonished diners practically suffered whiplash when they turned and realized that hockey's premier trophy was in the local eatery.

Rupp then took the trophy to his mother's accounting firm, Lou-Ray Associates, to show the folks. Back at the Coyle residence, the television crew from NHL Cool Shots arrived to chronicle Rupp's day with the Stanley Cup for an upcoming edition of the well-watched hockey program.

At 11 o'clock, Rupp and the Stanley Cup appeared at the Center Court of Westfield Shoppingtown SouthPark in nearby Strongsville. Rupp signed autographs and fans had their photos taken with the Stanley Cup. Donations to the Jennifer Ferraro Cancer Fund were encouraged through a campaign tagged "Touch the Cup - Touch a Life" and Rupp's efforts raised over $3,000 in Jennifer's memory. Jennifer, the wife of Mike's 2000-2001 River Rat teammate and NHL veteran Chris Ferraro, died tragically of stomach cancer last November 5.

"We wanted to use the Cup for a good cause," Rupp said. Almost 1,000 people lined up over two hours unconditionally agreed.

It was just after 1 p.m. and time to eat, so Rupp took the Stanley Cup to Einstein Brothers Bagels for a quick lunch to go. And since childhood, we've all equated ice cream with celebrations, so Rupp then made the trip to the Honey Hut Ice Cream Shop. Carrying the Stanley Cup behind the counter, he asked for the world's biggest ice cream sundae.

"Load it up for me, and use a scoop of every flavor you've got," Rupp laughed.

"Yeah, but make sure vanilla peanut butter is on the top," added Mike's stepfather. "That's Mike's favorite!"

The ladies went to work, and when all was said and done, the Stanley Cup became the world's most historic ice cream sundae dish, complete with 20 scoops of ice cream, hot fudge topping and whipped cream to complete the presentation.

"Mmmm. Man, this is amazing," Mike mumbled, his mouth full of the vanilla peanut butter. Baby Madeline reached out for a mouthful too and Christi gave her a taste. Madeline fussed for more, and on this special occasion, Mike and Christi acquiesced and let "Lil Rupper" have a little extra. "Dig in," Mike encouraged, and his family and friends each grabbed a spoon to finish Monday's sundae.

The Stanley Cup is usually on exhibit at the Hockey Hall of Fame, but on this day, it would visit another Hall of Fame. Cleveland has become an incredibly popular tourist destination since it became home to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame on Sept. 2, 1995.

After a stop for photographs and autographs at the Lakewood Fire Department, Rupp returned to his alma mater, St. Edward High School. Built in 1949, the all-male institution is run by the Brothers of Holy Cross of Notre Dame, and Mike graduated in 1997 before joining the Ontario Hockey League's Windsor Spitfires. Mike addressed the students, who roared with pride when their alumnus said: "If not for St. Ed's, I wouldn't be the man or hockey player I am today."

Rupp then took the Stanley Cup to the Berea Children's Home, a home for neglected or abused children up to 18 years of age who can benefit from the assistance provided there. Rupp's visit was incredibly valuable, and the 75 or so residents got the chance to ask questions of a local hero. The kids were great and Rupp patiently answered the questions and allowed the residents to examine the Stanley Cup at close range.

Packing in as much as he could in his 24 hours, Rupp then carried the Stanley Cup into the Cleveland Browns' Training and Administrative Complex, just around the corner in Berea. The football players knew exactly what the Stanley Cup means to the hockey world, and crowded around the revered trophy.

Because many of the Browns are so tall and so muscular, the trophy looked like a toy in their hands.

"Dawg, look at this," Andra Davis said to no one in particular, pointing to Wayne Gretzky's name. Then Butch Davis, Cleveland's coach, used the Stanley Cup and Rupp's appearance for an inspired talk with the Browns.

"Boys, Mike Rupp here wasn't part of the lineup for the New Jersey Devils most of last season," Davis said. "But when his time came, he rose to the occasion and scored the goal that won the championship for his team. You never know when it's going to be your time to shine. Be ready, boys. Be ready!"

A chorus of "Yeahs" came from the Browns' dressing room. They understood.

Mike, Christi and their families planned a party for that evening, and thought it might be fun to invite family and friends for a skate. The Rupp party was held in Strongsville at Iceland USA, a twin-rink arena with a reception area in between the two rinks. Rupp had Devils souvenirs and held a raffle that raised additional money for the Jennifer Ferraro Cancer Fund. Guests wore the rented skates - purple Microns all too common at public skating rinks - and circled the ice with Rupp and the Stanley Cup. For some, it was their first time on skates in years, and they clung to the boards around the perimeter of the rink. Mike has been preparing for the 2003-04 season and is a regular at Iceland USA.

The Counting Crows were co-headlining a date with John Mayer at Cleveland's Blossom Music Center that night, and the band's lead singer, Adam Duritz, had asked if there was a way for him to see the Stanley Cup.

Unfortunately, it had been a long day and it was too late to make the request happen. Rupp was exhausted. He had packed an incredible number of stops into his day with the Stanley Cup, had enjoyed some fun, shared his victory and raised money for a worthwhile cause.

"It's one o'clock and I am done!" he said.

A few final photographs and the day came to an end.

"It was unfortunate that Joe (Nieuwendyk) was injured but it was a great opportunity for me," Rupp said. "I just wanted to contribute in any way possible. They put me on a line with Jeff (Friesen) and Jamie (Langenbrunner) and our primary role was to keep Anaheim from scoring. But I got a break and got a goal. It was an unbelievable feeling. It still is an unbelievable feeling! If you asked me a year ago, I definitely never thought I'd be hosting a Stanley Cup party!"

[Shell]

Niedermayer brings Cup to firefighters
Canadian Press
8/30/2003

CRANBROOK, B.C. (CP) - NHL defenceman Scott Niedermayer brought the Stanley Cup to his home town Saturday as a morale booster for the hundreds of fatigued firefighters who have been battling a nearby wildfire.

``They are having some pretty long days, tough days, so if this will put a smile for a minute that will be good,'' said Niedermayer.

``That's tough work they're doing, long days, so we owe them a lot of thanks for the work that they do.''

Many of the 500 tired firefighters who have been battling the blaze for almost two weeks were thrilled not only to have a chance to grip the Cup, but also to meet Niedermayer.

``I think it's great, we're pretty happy,'' said Tristan Powell, a B.C. Forest Service firefighter from Houston, B.C.

``It gets a little monotonous after 14 days on the fireline. We're starting to go a little crazy and it's nice that he's doing this.''

The uncontrolled, uncontained Lamb Creek fire 15 kilometres southwest of Cranbrook has forced about 200 residents from their homes and gobbled up more than 100 square kilometres of forest.

For the past few days, pilots have been dropping chemical retardant on the blaze and fire crews have been busy snuffing spot fires and clearing fallen trees and power lines.

Niedermayer, a key player for New Jersey in clinching the 2003 Stanley Cup against Anaheim, said it's unsettling watching flames attack the area where he grew up.

``It's not very comforting, that's for sure,'' he said, as hundreds of locals lined up in a hockey arena to have a snapshot taken beside their home town hero and the Stanley Cup.

The hockey star not only feels for the firefighters, but also residents who have been evacuated from their homes.

``We knew a few people who had to evacuate from Munro Lake and apparently their houses are OK as of right now,'' he said.

``Your house is important but it's the family that is most important and I'm sure most people realize that as well.''

It just happened to be that Niedermayer was taking the Cup to Cranbrook to share with hockey fans. His mother asked him if he would also take it to the nearby Moyie fire camp late Saturday evening to motivate and thank the exhausted firefighters.

There are about 320 firefighters trying to snuff the blaze in surrounding forests and 150 structural firefighters who are putting sprinklers and spraying retardant on homes and lake cabins.

The Stanley Cup is on an annual summer odyssey as New Jersey players, coaches and staff take turns doing what they want with the NHL's championship trophy.

The Cup, escorted by Hockey Hall of Fame officials, was taken to Alaska by Devils centre Scott Gomez and even travelled to Greece.

Forward Brian Gionta took it to a mall in Greece, N.Y., for thousands of fans to visit last month, then put it on display in his father's hardware store, where he worked as a teenager.

Defenceman Ken Daneyko displayed ``Lord Stanley'' on Emeril Lagasse's TV cooking show.

Niedermayer has had another night with the Cup, when in June he and his wife got had a party with their Montclair, N.Y., neighbours.

Powell, 22, said he and most firefighters who played hockey long before they began battling blazes couldn't wait to touch the Cup.

``It's an experience that I'll never get to see again, is the Stanley Cup, so it's really lucky for me,'' he said.