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Feaster presented the Cup to the Pennsylvania Army National Guard 131st Transportation Company who were returning from Iraq.
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Journal 17: Whirlwind journey
continues for Stanley Cup
By Kevin Shea | Special to NHL.com
July 19, 2004
If you've ever watched the classic hockey film Slapshot, you know that there is no possibility the Charlestown Chiefs are ever going to entertain a celebration with the Stanley Cup. But through the generosity of Tampa Bay Lightning Assistant Equipment Manager Dana Heinze, the home of the Chiefs welcomed hockey's highest honor on Friday, July 9. Dana has been with the Tampa Bay Lightning for four years. He was a couple of years too early for a Stanley Cup victory when he was with the New Jersey Devils in 1992-93, but enjoyed every second of his time with the Stanley Cup this time around. Heinze took the opportunity to bring the Stanley Cup home to Johnstown, Pennsylvania. Dana, his wife Kathy, his mom, Judy, dad, Lou, and brother Eric, took the Cup to the Cambria County War Memorial - the home of the Johnstown Chiefs of the ECHL and the site used to shoot Slapshot. Dana was head trainer for the ECHL Chiefs for eight years, but the arena has further significance to the Heinze family. Lou Heinze earned 35 cents per hour helping build the arena in 1950. Three thousand area residents trooped through the arena to view the Stanley Cup. Dana then took the Stanley Cup to the home in which he grew up, and cradled the Cup in his old bedroom, still decorated in Grateful Dead posters the way he left it so many years ago. Selected friends and some family members spent the afternoon with the Stanley Cup at the Heinze home. Then, it was off for dinner. A reservation had been made at Rizzo's in nearby Windber, Pennsylvania. After a great meal and the chance to show the Cup to diners, Dana took the trophy back to his parents' home, where 200 or so guests celebrated. In fact, the party was incredible and ran until 4:45 a.m., when the Cup had to move along. Even then, there were still a number of Heinze's family and friends up partying with Dana's deserved reward. The Stanley Cup arrived in Williamsville, Pa., at 8:15 a.m. Saturday, July 10; the day designated for Jay Feaster, the Executive Vice President and General Manager of the Lightning. Jay handed out special T-shirts to those who gathered at his grandmother's home when the Stanley Cup arrived, so there were a dozen or so wearing shirts that read "Jay's day with the Cup." Feaster then took the Cup to American Legion Post 239. It was a special day, as the Pennsylvania Army National Guard 131st Transportation Company was returning from Iraq and the troops were being toasted by the community. To their amazement, the soldiers not only returned to a great brunch and a warm welcome home from their community, but by the highest honor available to the hockey community as well. After the lines to get photos with the Stanley Cup had subsided and Jay's arm ached from signing autographs, Feaster made an emotional speech to those gathered. "There is nothing better than coming home, so there was no question where I wanted to spend my day with the Cup," Jay started. Feaster spoke about his love for the game and reminded everyone where that passion had begun. As tears streamed down his cheeks and with his father seated nearby, Jay spoke about attending Hershey Bears games together with his Dad during Jay's childhood. It was a touching moment; one not to be forgotten soon by anyone in attendance. A parade followed the stop at the Legion, with Feaster and his family holding the Stanley Cup while riding atop a vehicle. Following behind were antique cars and marching bands, looping through the town. The community embraced one of their own warmly. The scene along the parade route was like a snapshot taken several decades ago; a slice of 1950s hometown Americana. Neighbors sat on their lawn chairs in front yards, waving American flags as the parade sauntered by. Feaster and the Stanley Cup then drove to Hershey, Pa., and held a small reception for season ticketholders of the American Hockey League's Hershey Bears. Jay began his career in earnest with Hershey when he was named general manager of the Bears in 1990, so the town and team hold a special spot close to Feaster's heart. The day ended with the Feaster family hosting a small Stanley Cup party in a hospitality suite, with a few family members and friends getting the special invitation. Ron Campbell is the president of the Tampa Bay Lightning, and on Sunday, July 11, he took the Stanley Cup to the Detroit area to celebrate the franchise's extraordinary victory. The day began at 9 a.m. in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan with Ron, his wife Mary Jane and children Andrea, Holly and RJ, enjoying the Stanley Cup with friends. Then, it was off to Beaumont Hospital where Ron shared the trophy with a delighted golfing buddy, Jim Farquhart. Campbell then took the Stanley Cup to Pine Lake Golf Club where Holly was celebrating her graduation. A private jet then transported the Campbells with the Stanley Cup from Pontiac Airport to Traverse City. A boat then ferried the celebrants across the bay to Northport, a community virtually untouched by time that sits near the tip of the peninsula. The Campbells have enjoyed many a summer in the arms of the charming town. There, the Cup was carried into Woody's, where both Ron Campbell and the trophy were cheered heartily by the locals. Three hours later, it was back to Bloomfield Hills by way of boat, plane and automobile. Monday, July 12 was split between two Tampa Bay scouts - Larry Bernard, the Ontario Hockey League scout, and Angelo Bumbacco, a birddog up in Sault Ste. Marie. Bernard, wife Tami and kids Kyle and Taylor, took the Stanley Cup to Flint, Michigan. Just like Larry, the Cup's first stop of the day was at Tim Horton's for coffee with the smiling staff, then off to his home where the children ate ice cream out of the bowl of the 111-year-old trophy. The final stop was at the Swartz Creek Golf Club so Larry could celebrate with his golfing pals. That afternoon, Bumbacco welcomed the Stanley Cup to the Soo. Bumbacco, who was with the Soo Greyhounds of the OHL when he convinced a pimply-faced Wayne Gretzky that although the No. 9 was taken, No. 99 wouldn't be so bad, hosted a private party at a local hotel with guests including Dallas Stars netminder Marty Turco and Jeff Carter of the Soo Greyhounds. Then, Angelo presented the Stanley Cup to the residents of Sault Ste. Marie, both Ontario and Michigan. A massive line waited for an opportunity to view the Cup and get a photo with it. More than 2,500 filed past, but there were still a number who were turned away when the Stanley Cup had to be packed away once again for its next adventure. Kevin Shea is the Hockey Hall of Fame's Manager of Special Projects and Publishing.
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