While only the elite of the sport get to taste the sweet nectar of victory out of the trophy, that doesn't mean that everyone else is left on the outside looking in. As a matter of fact, thanks to modern technology, fans can actually look inside the Stanley Cup and see what great players were there before them.
The Hockey Hall of Fame's new Legends of Hockey.Net made its on-line debut recently, and one of the site's key features is an unprecedented interactive experience with the Stanley Cup. The unique online 3-D encounter (http://www.legendsofhockey.net/html/silver_vrtro.htm) allows visitors to virtually pick up and handle the beloved trophy. With one click of their mouse, fans can zoom in on any pat of the Cup and read it as if they had the prize possession in their hands.
The 3-D model of the Stanley Cup was produced using a Kodak DCS 330 digital camera, and the ZoomView images were captured using the new Kodak Professional DCS Pro Back Plus digital camera back.
"During our initial conversations with the Hall we began to understand the kind of experience they wanted to provide their online visitors, and we, and the client, quickly realized that Viewpoint technology was the most appropriate choice," said Barry Fogarty, president of diginiche.
"Viewpoint's 3-D PhotoStudio enabled us to generate a photo-realistic 3-D model of the Cup very cost-effectively while the ZoomView technology allowed us to create the high resolution images that make it possible for viewers to see the fine details and names of individuals that give the Cup it's unique character."
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If Mike Bolt, the NHL's keeper of the Stanley Cup, hasn't come to your city, this technology is a great alternative to seeing the Cup up close.
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Before this joint venture, the only way fans could've seen the Cup up close and personal was by visiting the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto. Even though you could touch hockey's holy grail and have your picture taken with it at the Hall, you still wouldn't be able to go over every nook and cranny in the trophy like you could with this experience.
"What sets this trophy apart from others is that it's really the people's Cup as well as the players," Peter Jagla, Producer, New Media and E-Business of the Hall of Fame, explained. "Sure, it tours with the players when they win it, but it also travels to other cities and countries so people can see it up close. When people come and visit the Hall they can actually touch it, creating a unique relationship between hockey fans and the trophy."
Will Holowka, the Business Development Manager for Kodak Canada Inc. was happy to be part of the team that brought the Cup to life on the web for all sports fans to see.
"We were pleased that our digital technology was able to help bring the Stanley Cup to life for hockey fans world-wide," said Holowka.
Viewers now not only have an opportunity to read the names of the players who have won the Stanley Cup in their careers over the ages, they can also actually scroll around inside the top of the bowl and read names such as Tom Hodge, Bill Strachan and Pud Glass or flip the Cup over and see what emblem is etched into the lower black base of the trophy.
"We are thrilled with this opportunity to showcase the Stanley Cup on the Internet. The achieved clarity and detail exceeded our expectations," Jagla said. "The Internet allows hockey lovers from all over the world the opportunity to see and read the inscriptions on the Cup as if they had it their living room."
Once you take this virtual tour of the trophy there's no doubt that you'll feel closer to the Stanley Cup and your heroes than you were before.
