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Although he played only five games with Tampa Bay through the regular 2003-04 season, GM Jay Feaster thought enough of Rumble to make certain he got the opportunity to spend a day with the Stanley Cup in his hometown of Barrie, Ontario.
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Stanley ready for Rumble
By Kevin Shea | Hockey Hall of Fame
Sept. 9, 2004
It was a year fraught with frustration and elation for NHL veteran Darren Rumble. Through his checkered career, Rumble has fought for every inch of ground he's earned. As a professional hockey player, you realize that careers are fragile, and all you can do is deliver a great attitude and hard work game in and game out. Beyond that, the fates are in the hands of the gods. A first-round draft pick in 1987, Rumble has played in just 51 NHL contests over the past decade, but has worked diligently wherever he has been assigned. Although he played only five games with Tampa Bay through the regular 2003-04 season, GM Jay Feaster thought enough of Rumble to make certain he got the opportunity to spend a day with the Stanley Cup in his hometown of Barrie, Ontario. Neighbors and friends congregated at Rumble's home on Friday, Aug. 27, waiting for the Stanley Cup to arrive. At 8 a.m., as much of the city was heading to work, Darren was greeting hockey's magnificent trophy. The Barrie celebrants spent three hours that morning taking photos and telling hockey stories. Darren took the Stanley Cup over to Royal Victoria Hospital and visited the cancer ward. His grandfather had suffered from the horrific disease, and Darren was determined not let his grandfather's illness go in vain. Darren not only visited the many patients there, who were thrilled to see and touch the Stanley Cup, but on his day, raised money for the hospital's building fund as well. A lot of wonderful things have been in the bowl of the Stanley Cup - champagne and lobster bisque to name but a few from this summer -- and Darren added one more - a beautiful two-day-old baby, nestled comfortably in the bowl of Lord Stanley's Cup. He later took the trophy to the cafeteria so additional staff and guests could see the Cup. Darren climbed onto a vintage fire truck and, blaring the siren, drove to the Barrie Arena where, for two-and-a-half hours, he posed for photos and signed autographs. While there, he was introduced to Caroline Spietcels. "Hi Darren. This is the second Stanley Cup party I've been to this week! I'm Jassen Cullimore's niece and was at his party in Port Dover, and tonight, I'm working in catering here at the Barrie Arena for your party!" It was a great party. Outstanding entertainment was provided by Midland, Ontario's swing jazz performer, Shawn Mei, as well as one of the pillars of rock in Ontario, Kim Mitchell. After years with Max Webster, Mitchell recorded eight wonderful solo albums. Today, he is not only one of Canada's most loved musicians, but also an announcer at a Toronto rock radio station. Mitchell put on a great hour and a half show, with the Stanley Cup placed on the stage both before and after his set. After Kim's final encore, Rumble's pals remained at the arena drinking champagne until 2:30 in the morning before returning to the Rumble residence for an additional hour. Saturday morning, Darren's kids did what every North American kids do - watched cartoons and ate cereal out of the Stanley Cup! After gulping down the last spoonful, the Stanley Cup was washed, then packed away. By 9:30, the Cup continued north along the 400 highway on its way to Bill Barber's home just outside of North Bay in Callander, Ontario. Kevin Shea is the Manager of Special Projects and Publishing at the Hockey Hall of Fame.
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