Kings staffers McDonough, Fugere split day with Cup

With Los Angeles Kings players and coaches each entitled to a day with the Stanley Cup after winning their second championship in three seasons, certain team staff members will get half a day with the most iconic trophy in sports. That was the case on Monday, when Kings scout Denis Fugere and Hubie McDonough, director of hockey operations for Los Angeles' American Hockey League affiliate, the Manchester Monarchs, split the day with the Cup.

The day started with McDonough bringing the Stanley Cup to Manchester, N.H. The morning was highlighted by an appearance with the Cup at nearby Saint Anselm College, where McDonagh starred as a player for four seasons before going on to play 195 NHL games with the Kings, New York Islanders and San Jose Sharks.

"Fortunately enough they gave me half a day here, so we were debating [where to take it]," McDonough told the Saint Anselm web site. "I brought it to my mom and dad's earlier this morning and to my first home where I learned to play hockey out in the driveway. That brought back some good memories. It's as much fun to win, but it's a lot of fun to share the Cup."

McDonagh didn't get any personal time with the Cup when the Kings won the championship in 2012, so getting his time with Lord Stanley, even if it was just a few hours, was an exciting privilege. That sentiment was shared by locals in the area, who came in droves to meet McDonough and see the Cup up close.

From New Hampshire, the Cup was delivered to Fugere, the Kings' Quebec-area scout about 300 miles north in St. Jerome, Quebec. Monday marked the second time in three years that Fugere brought the Cup to St. Jerome; in 2012 it was greeted by a procession of locals and served as the guest of honor at a charity street hockey game.

On Monday more than 500 people showed up to see the Cup up close. This will be the Cup's only visit to the province as the Kings' roster features no players from Quebec.

"It's fun because people who haven't had a chance to see the Cup so close get to see it and touch it," Fugere told TVA Sports.

Hubie McDonough with his parents in Manchester, NH this morning. #StanleyCup @LAKings @NHL. @HockeyHallFame pic.twitter.com/IoJEwaa56S

— Philip Pritchard (@keeperofthecup) June 30, 2014

LA Kings scout Denis Fugere relaxes in St-Jerome, QC last night with #stanleycup @NHL @HockeyHallFame @LAKingsPR pic.twitter.com/UnvfcOL9IX

— Philip Pritchard (@keeperofthecup) July 1, 2014