Blackhawks' Kane brings Cup back to Buffalo

A magical summer for Chicago Blackhawks forward Patrick Kane ended on a high note when the 2013 Conn Smythe Trophy winner enjoyed his day with the Stanley Cup on Saturday in his hometown of Buffalo.

As he did when he had the Cup in Buffalo in 2010, Kane took the iconic trophy to Niagara Falls, where he posed for photos with friends and family. The trip this year included the Conn Smythe Trophy, which Kane was given as MVP of the Stanley Cup Playoffs after scoring nine goals and 19 points in 23 games.

VIDEO OF KANE'S DAY WITH THE CUP

Patrick Kane and family pose with the Stanley Cup and the Conn Smythe Trophy in Buffalo.
(Photo: @keeperofthecup)

• Kane arrives in Buffalo with Cup
• Zamboni ride with the Stanley Cup
• Kane at military base in Niagara Falls
• Honoring the troops with a Cup visit
• Kane returns to roots at local rink
• Favorite childhood pizzeria in Buffalo

ALL SUMMER WITH STANLEY VIDEO ›SWS BLOG ›

The day started with an 8:30 a.m. appearance at the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station. Hosted by the base's hangar 907, Kane was escorted around the military facility atop a military-grade Humvee, and he and his hardware spent 2 1/2 hours meeting military personnel and posing for photos. The Blackhawks star also participated in a special ceremony in which he honored the Buffalo Sled Veteran Warriors and Buffalo Warriors Hockey Team.

"For you guys to give up your personal lives and sacrifice for what you do for our country is unbelievable," Kane told the crowd, according to the Buffalo News. "I can carry around a Stanley Cup that's 35 pounds or an MVP trophy that's brought along with us here today, but you guys carry our country on your back. It's really amazing."

Kane then led a parade through town, in which he rode atop a Zamboni as the procession marched toward Imperial Pizza, a popular pizzeria where he was greeted by dozens of Buffalo residents.

"It was a thrill of a lifetime, riding in and being on the back of the Zamboni carrying the Stanley Cup, with all the little kids and people wearing the jersey that you once wore screaming your name," Kane said. "So it was definitely a fun moment."

Following the parade, Kane made an appearance at 1 p.m. at the West Seneca Town Rink. It was at the hometown rink where Kane met with locals and posed for photographs for two hours. With a private party planned for Saturday night, it brings to an end an incredible summer for the 24-year-old.

After winning the Stanley Cup for the second time in his young career, Kane made a memorable appearance on the "Late Show with David Letterman" before celebrating onstage alongside Jimmy Buffet during a Chicago concert. Kane also appeared on stage with Buffet after he won the Cup in 2010.

If that wasn't enough, Kane County in Illinois declared Aug. 8 (the 8/8 date matching Kane's jersey number, 88) "Patrick Kane County Day" in honor of the hockey hero, who scored the Cup-winning goal against the Philadelphia Flyers in 2010.