Mayers celebrates with Stanley Cup in St. Louis

Veteran forward Jamal Mayers didn't dress for the Chicago Blackhawks during their playoff run to the Stanley Cup Final, where they defeated the Boston Bruins in six games. But the Toronto native's leadership in his quest to win the Cup for the first time proved crucial even if he didn't get to play.

That leadership was rewarded Wednesday when the 38-year-old enjoyed his day with the Stanley Cup in St. Louis, the adopted hometown where Mayers spent his first nine NHL seasons. Mayers made a number of stops around town, including at SSM Cardinal Glennon Children's Medical Center.

But it was the anticipated party in the evening that had people flying into St. Louis from across the continent.

The scene provided a fun backdrop for a small college reunion. Among the invitees to the party was Kathy Beauregard, the athletic director at Western Michigan University, where Mayers played four seasons for the Broncos.

Another prominent guest was former NFL player Tom Nutten, a friend of Mayers' at WMU who played college football briefly in Canada.

The offensive lineman played eight seasons in the NFL, with his best coming with the St. Louis Rams. Nutten played in two Super Bowls, winning his sport's ultimate prize in 2000 in Super Bowl XXXIV against the Tennessee Titans.