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Summer with Stanley 2011 blog

Monday, 09.05.2011 / 7:15 PM / Summer with Stanley

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Summer with Stanley 2011 blog
Follow the Stanley Cup around the world as each member of the Boston Bruins gets his day with hockey's most famous trophy.
Ference is a family guy
09.05.2011 / 7:15 PM ET

It was indeed a memorable day for Andrew Ference, who spent a portion of Monday biking around Boston alongside hockey's Holy Grail.
"I wanted to do that. I didn't know if I'd be able to pull it off or not," he told bostonbruins.com.

Ference's day with the Stanley Cup started at the Beacon Hill Nursery School, where his youngest daughter is a student. He also stopped at the Spaulding Hospital, where he has done some charitable work in the past.

Afterwards, Ference brought the Cup to some of Boston's historic landmarks.

"We've got a procession in the North End which is going to be pretty much off the charts," he told the team's web site. "After that, it's some good family time and a good little party at the end.

"I'm never going to get higher than I lifted it on the ice or in the locker room with the Cup, so to me this is my chance to share it with all of them and give my family some good time with it. My wife and kids are obviously just as much a part of winning, or my career, as I am, so it's important."

-- Brian Compton



The Cup returns to Boston

09.05.2011 / 7:10 PM ET

What better way to spend the Labor Day holiday than with the Stanley Cup?

After spending part of Sunday carrying a statue during Boston's annual Feast of St. Anthony, Bruins defenseman Andrew Ference brought the Cup to Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital on Monday morning.

“After seeing the work they do here with the patients and some of the adaptive sports programs, I’m blown away by the patients,” Ference said . “But also by the staff. When we think of people we want to share it with in the city, we’ve got our close friends, the kids’ friends, our family, and people like this.”

The Cup went to and from Spaulding aboard a bike trailer, with some accompaniment from Boston police officers on bike detail.

“He chose to spend part of his day at Spaulding,” Mayor Thomas Menino said. “That tells you the quality of the individual.”

Ference then headed back to the North End, where he lives during the season, and reportedly planned to spend the rest of the day with the Cup.

-- Brian Compton

Ference takes his turn with the Cup

09.05.2011 / 3:15 PM ET

What better way to spend the Labor Day holiday than with the Stanley Cup?

After spending part of Sunday carrying a statue during Boston's annual Feast of St. Anthony, Bruins defenseman Andrew Ference brought the Cup to Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital on Monday morning.

“After seeing the work they do here with the patients and some of the adaptive sports programs, I’m blown away by the patients,” Ference said . “But also by the staff. When we think of people we want to share it with in the city, we’ve got our close friends, the kids’ friends, our family, and people like this.”

The Cup went to and from Spaulding aboard a bike trailer, with some accompaniment from Boston police officers on bike detail.

“He chose to spend part of his day at Spaulding,” Mayor Thomas Menino said. “That tells you the quality of the individual.”

Ference then headed back to the North End, where he lives during the season, and reportedly planned to spend the rest of the day with the Cup.

-- John Kreiser

Sunset says it all
09.03.2011 / 9:51 PM ET

BURLINGTON, Vt. -- The last stop of the day for Tim Thomas is one of the local hotels high above Lake Champlain in the Sunset Room.

As the sun dropped behind the mountains the star of the party entered to a picturesque scene. The entire Thomas family, friends, fellow UVM alumni and the people who made this day possible were gathered for a night of fun with Tim's three pieces of hardware before the Bruins goalie has to say goodbye to Lord Stanley for the summer.

The reason this place was picked for his party? It's the location Tim and his wife Melissa where married.

"I think this place was beautiful. In my mind there really was no other place up here to have this party," Thomas said.

Tim's brother-in-law, Brian Kane, organized most of the events in Burlington said the day couldn't of gone any better.

"A perfect day for everyone,” Kane said. “I was glad to be a part of it. I'd happily do it again if we ever had the chance."

His brother-in-law agreed with him.

"These two days with the Cup, in Michigan and Vermont couldn't of gone any better," Thomas said, "I enjoyed myself immensely. It's a lot of work to get these days together but it was really something special."

The other good part about this day for Thomas was closure. I asked the Conn Smythe winner if this really closes the door on the championship season.

"Yeah, it does," Thomas said, "This really puts the stamp on everything we accomplished last season. It also reminds me that I only have 2 weeks till training camp. I need to rest."

Hockey is right around the corner. A huge thank you to the Thomas family for letting the NHL be a part of their 48 hours with the Cup. Next up is a stop back in the championship city of Boston where Andrew Ference and Shawn Thornton will have their days with Lord Stanley.

-- Josh Landau

Pre-party nap
09.03.2011 / 5:01 PM ET

BURLINGTON, Ver. -- A pre-game nap is part of nearly every player’s daily routine during the season.

There was no exception today, after a quick lunch at Al's French Fries, the Thomas clan headed back to their house on Lake Champlain. While some family and friends took pictures with the Cup, Tim took a nap and it is hard to blame him.

We asked Tim last week in Michigan what was tougher to do, win the Stanley Cup or plan your day with the Cup? His answer was both. While citing that winning the Cup was extremely difficult, he said the planning your day is very stressful.

"The amount of people and places involved, the amount of people who come to see you. You want to make everyone happy," Thomas said.

Even though today is only half over, it has been an exhausting and busy procession through the streets of Burlington. The down time won't last long; family and friends have already started preparing for tonight's private party in South Burlington.

-- Josh Landau

Always part of the community
09.03.2011 / 2:33 PM ET

BURLINGTON, Ver. -- Returning to his alma matter to receive the annual Alumni Achievement Award, the focus turns to the type of man Tim Thomas is and how entrenched he is in this community.

We learned last week in Davidson, Mich., where some of Thomas' character traits came from. Here in Burlington, Vt., we're finding out where they developed to turn him into the man he is today.

"It says so much about Tim that he would take a second day with the Stanley Cup and bring it back here, especially after what Vermont has been through this past week," said Ted Madden, President of the University of Vermont Alumni Association of fellow Catamount men's hockey player (Class of '92) after announcing Thomas as this year's recipient of the Alumni Achievement Award. "He's such a class act in how he treats people, the media and especially the UVM community."

Thomas announced in his acceptance speech that he'll raffle off memorabilia and merchandise at the UVM Catamount store as well as at a private party later tonight with the proceeds going to hurricane relief in the state of Vermont. It is another example of how much this place means to him and the type of person he became while attending school here. Now it's off to lunch and some private family photos at Thomas' house on Lake Champlain.

-- Josh Landau


10,000 smiles

09.03.2011 / 11:41 AM ET

BURLINGTON, Ver. --
When you bring 3 trophies of achievement back to a community that propelled your career, you expect a warm reception -- officials from Burlington, Vt., and the University of Vermont called it unprecedented. An estimated 5,000-10,000 people have lined Church Street in downtown Burlington (if you've ever stood on Church Street you understand how packed that is) to get a glimpse of the Vezina and Conn Smythe trophies, the Stanley Cup and local hero Tim Thomas.

"This is unbelievable, I would have never expected anything this big," Thomas told NHL.com.

In his speech to the crowd he thanked local officials, including the Vermont National Guard, "Through everything that went on last weekend with (hurricane) Irene, I'm glad they're here doing the job they're doing, and happy to bring some smiles to everybody's faces," Thomas said.

Before leaving downtown, Thomas moved through the heavy crowd to hoist the Cup on top of Burlington's Ladder Company fire truck. Now it's off to his alma matter to receive their annual Alumni Achievement Award.

-- Josh Landau


Vermont excited for Thomas

09.02.2011 / 11:35 PM ET

BURLINGTON, Ver. --
Pulling into Burlington shortly after 9:00 PM, there is already plenty of talk about University of Vermont alumni Tim Thomas and his second day this summer with Lord Stanley. Although the Cup doesn't get here till tomorrow, plenty of people are flaunting their Bruins gear in the streets. Quite a few people in our hotel are up here from Boston for a hockey tournament and found out earlier today that win or lose, they get an added bonus of seeing the Cup up close tomorrow.

Thomas has a busy day scheduled, starting with a parade through downtown Burlington up to his alma matter UVM. Stay tuned for updates.

-- Josh Landau

Thoughts from Thomas
08.25.2011 / 12:04 AM ET

DAVISON, Mich. --
Tim Thomas conducted a 15-minute press conference at Davison High School's football field shortly after the ceremony that honored him, and he also spoke with NHL.com and NHL Network at his cousin's house during the backyard barbeque that, well, was made to honor him and the trophies.

Here are some of the candid words from the humble Thomas:

What kind of a person were you in high school?

"I was relatively quiet except for when I got into sports. When I get into sports I'm highly competitive. But, my senior year I was voted class Rip Van Winkle because I basically slept through class. Then again, as the teachers told my parents in the parent-teacher conferences, 'Every time I wake him up he has the right answer so I can't really say too much.' "

Was there a time when you said to yourself, 'Maybe my dream won't come true?'

"It depends on what you look at as my dream. If my dream was to play in the NHL, yeah there was definitely a point. I played the lockout year in Finland, had a great year, 15 shutouts in 54 games and was league MVP voted by the players and the press -- and I had absolutely no interest from an NHL team that summer. At that point I made peace with the fact that I wasn't going to make it to the NHL. Lo and behold, Boston called on Sept. 14 and I had to decide if I was going to give it one more chance. I had already made that difficult decision of putting it behind me."

Can you describe the impact Davison High School and this community had on you as a teenager?

"Everyone's high school has a huge impact on their life, and this is part of my development. The people at the high school, specifically (former hockey coach) Tom Barrow, had a huge impact on the way my career turned out. He would take me to men's league games at 7 o'clock on Sunday mornings. He was trying to teach me patience, not to go so far out of my crease. I think he somewhat failed at that...but he was a great role model at that time in my life, someone to look up to. It wasn't just him."

Ken Morrow is also from Davison, so what's it like to be associated with him as the Cup winners from Davison?

"I was 5 years old in the 1980 Olympics and my favorite player became Jim Craig, which is one of the reasons for sure I knew I wanted to be a goalie. Knowing Ken Morrow was from Davison and knowing what he accomplished certainly inspired me or at least gave me hope that someone from Davison could do the same thing. I believe I tried to sell apples to him, but once I realized who it was I didn't put too much of the sell on, I just wanted to get out of there. I was too embarrassed."

How difficult were your ups and downs in your pro career?

"The first year after high school I went and tried out for a junior team down by Detroit, the Lakeland Jets, and I made the team as the third goalie. I had to scrape my way to playing time. That's the way it has been my whole career, everywhere I went. As my career went on, such as last year when I lost the starting job, I have grown used to those situations. But, I've always loved the game of hockey so whenever there were really challenging times, times when I was playing in the minors and it was hard to find another job with another minor league team the next year, I always asked myself, 'Do you enjoy going to practice?' I always enjoyed going to practice, and that's why I never quit. I still enjoyed playing. Any way at any league that I could, I just wanted to play."

-- Dan Rosen

The guy hasn't changed

08.24.2011 / 3:04 PM ET

DAVISON, Mich. --
Tim Thomas is exactly the same guy as his high school coach Tom Barrow remembers him to be 19 years ago.

"He always had the talent and know-how, but what he needed was the patience," Barrow said from the football field at Davison High School, where Thomas was honored today. "I like to think I helped him with that, but he was always this kind of goaltender."

Barrow doesn't stay in touch with Thomas for very long as he retired as soon as Thomas graduated Davison in 1992. However, he has followed Thomas' entire career, the highs and lows, and said he cried with pride when the Bruins won the Cup.

"You think I cried," he quipped. "You bet I did. This guy makes me cry, that's all there is to it. To think I had an influence on him...wow!"

Barrow wasn't alone in his influence on Thomas.

Al Sumner was the senior goalie at Davison when Thomas transferred in as a sophomore. Sumner said the competition between him and Thomas wasn't always friendly as they pushed each other and tried to convince Barrow to they were worth the ice time.

"To say the two of us were best of friends when we were competing would be untrue," said Sumner, who still lives in Davison and owns a landscaping business. "You never wanted to see one do bad but we both wanted to play.

"The thing I can say to this day is that you watch him play now, the announcers key on how aggressive he is and how he stands up for himseld, how he doesn't need anyone else to cover his back -- when we were playing that's how he played. He was young and raw, but by the time he got out of here he refined it and learned how to use it to his advantage."

-- Dan Rosen

'We're very fortunate'
08.24.2011 / 12:54 PM ET

DAVISON, Mich. --
As you drive into the back parking lot at Davison High School, there is a sign honoring Ken Morrow for winning the gold medal at the 1980 Olympics and for being a Cup champion.

Davison will soon be hanging a similar sign honoring its other hockey hero, Tim Thomas.

"Oh, we've got one and we are giving him one," Davison Community Schools Superintendent Eric Lieske told NHL.com.

Lieske and his staff along with Matt and Tammy Thomas organized the public event at Cardinal Stadium to honor Thomas today. We are heading out there shortly.

Lieske said the town and its surrounding municipalities are thrilled Thomas chose to bring it home.

"It makes a statement that he cares about his hometown roots," said Lieske, who graduated from Davison High School in 1989, three years before Thomas turned the tassel on his graduation cap. "As an educator, that's how we want all of our students this school district. It's just a great story."

Several members of the current high school hockey team will be taking part in the program at the football stadium.

"They're fired up," Lieske said. "We had four of them here at 5 a.m. to do an interview with a local TV station."

Thomas is just finishing lunch and is going to make his way to the public event shortly. Traffic is building up around the school and Davison area.

-- Dan Rosen

Manning this amount of silverware isn't easy

08.24.2011 / 11:32 AM ET

DAVISON, Mich. --
Cup keepers Phil Pritchard and Howie Borrow literally have their hands full today. With the Stanley Cup, Conn Smythe and Vezina Trophies all in attendance with Tim Thomas, handling the hardware requires skill, grace and tact.

These guys wouldn't trade their jobs for anything, especially not today, not when it is for a classy player like Thomas.

"Obviously with Tim Thomas it's a special day. For a guy like Tim Thomas, as humble as he is, to have so much hardware, it's pretty amazing," Pritchard told NHL.com. "We were joking because we have a van full of silverware and there is a bus full of Thomases with six cop cars following us. If the people knew, especially the Red Wings fans knew what was in the van as it drove by ... it is quite a day. The Vezina, Cup and Conn Smythe -- how do you ask for more than that out of maybe the best goalie in the game?"

But the logistics of bringing three trophies in giant cases across the border is quite a task.

Pritchard and Borrow drove here from the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto.

"We always have to set up more time," Pritchard said. "You're crossing the border and they ask you citizenship, where you're going and you explain it to them. They ask you again because all of a sudden they realize it and it clicks in, 'What do you mean? What do you have in there?'

"You have that extra 20 minutes built in for the customs people and usually people are getting out of their cars," he added. "So, it causes a bit of havoc, but it just shows how much the game has spread. There are hockey fans everywhere. Here we are in the middle of August and they're stopping and pulling over to get photos."

Everyone else is raving, but the man of the hour seems as humble as ever. Pritchard, who has gotten to know Thomas well, said that's the real man behind the mask.

"First off, he's a goalie and they're a different breed. They've got to be patient and they've got to be calm, and Tim has all those attributes," Pritchard said. "You've seen him. He is what he is. When he takes that mask off, that's Tim Thomas. He's very calm, very quiet, very laid back.

"The focus is on him today but I don't think he wants the focus," Pritchard continued. "He wants to be part of it for sure, but I think he wants to be the team guy. But, it's all about Tim Thomas today whether he likes it or not. He earned it and his family and friends are coming out in droves to see it."

-- Dan Rosen

Conquering hero returns to his roots

08.24.2011 / 9:58 AM ET

DAVISON, Mich. --
Tim Thomas didn't move here until he was a freshman in high school, but he and his brother, Jake, consider Davison to be home. That's why we are here today.

"We moved a lot," Jake Thomas told NHL.com. "But, this is where we stayed the longest."

Thomas still has family here as his cousin, Matt, recently moved back to Davison with his wife Tammy and their children. Tammy Thomas helped organize this Cup day and will be hosting the private family party at her house this evening.

Thomas started his day in the parking lot of his alma mater, Davison High School. He met up with Cup keepers Phil Pritchard and Howie Borrow along with his entire family.

Thomas was his normal self - humble, reserved and friendly. He joked around with his kids (Kylie, Keegan and Kelsey) along with his nieces and nephews (Hunter, Hayden, Hudson and Hanna). He didn't take the Cup, Vezina or Conn Smythe out of the cases.

Davison is a quiet community, but with Thomas and his hardware in town today, it has become the place to be. In fact, Thomas and his family rode in a school bus between a police escort to his first stop, the Valley Church of Christ in Burton.

Cars pulled over as the motorcade passed by on the rural roads. Police were stationed at stop lights to make sure no one went on a green so the motorcade could get through. There was a camera crew waiting to film Thomas pulling into the church parking lot.

He is inside now for an invite-only event with the congregation. Thomas told me he knows "roughly 85 or 90 percent of the congregation, and a lot are family.

"Anybody that looks like my dad is in my family," he added.

Thomas wanted to bring it here because these people are close to him.

Thomas, who is taking pictures with the congregation, didn't start attending this particular church until after college, but he lived nearby during the offseason until he was 30 before moving to Colorado Springs.

They love him here and they even have a wall dedicated to his press clippings. The sign outside the church reads a welcome home to their Stanley Cup champion.

-- Dan Rosen

Not raining on his parade
08.23.2011 / 8:30 PM ET

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. --
Even if it rains over Michigan on Wednesday, Tim Thomas should still have a shiny day.

The three throphies he earned are headed his way for him to celebrate with on his Cup day.

Of course, the Stanley Cup will be the star of the show, but coming along with the silver dream come true is the Conn Smythe and the Vezina. Thomas cleaned up with those individual awards as well as the Cup in June.

He is supposed to be starting his day at his church in his old hometown of Davison, Mich., which is just outside of Flint. Thomas is expected to hold an event there for a while before moving on to Davison High School for lunch and a public event. He will conclude with a party for family and friends.

There is likely more to the day than just that, and even all of the aforementioned itinerary is subject to change.

We will nevertheless be there the entire way, documenting Thomas and his day with his three new best friends.

Be sure to follow along.

-- Dan Rosen

The best way to do it
08.14.2011 / 6:55 PM ET

VANCOUVER -- When Milan Lucic was thinking about what he could do with the Cup, he wanted to keep it private yet also enjoy all that his hometown has to offer.

Hello boat cruise.

"Vancouver is a beautiful and spectacular area," Lucic told NHL.com. "You saw the route we just went on and you get a lot of downtown and the mountains in the back. Thank god the clouds went away because it's a pretty great day."

Lucic wanted to share his day with those closest to him, so he figured by going on a boat everyone he wanted to be around would be there and nobody could crash his party.

It was a success.

"Everyone here has supported me from when I was a kid and, you know what, I feel like one of the luckiest players in the NHL because I have the support group that I do," Lucic said. "It's a great group here today and the thing I wanted to do was share the day with them. I'm happy I've been able to do that.

"I just wish it would never end."

- Dan Rosen

Stanley sets sail
08.14.2011 / 5:04 PM ET

VANCOUVER -- The harbor around Vancouver is known for being one of the most beautiful destinations in North America, so Milan Lucic is using it as a backdrop to his celebration.

Lucic has chartered a Harbour Cruise boat, The Princess, for an afternoon cruise around the spectacular waterway.

Roughly 150 of Lucic's closest friends and family members have joined him and the Cup for the lunch cruise.

Lucic started in the lower area of the boat taking pictures in the bow area. As soon as the boat started to cruise past Stanley Park and under the Lion's Gate Bridge, Lucic and his girlfriend, Brittany, brought the Cup up to aft on the deck and posed for more pictures while lunch was being served below.

Lucic popped a bottle of the bubbly and is letting everyone take a sip out of the Cup. His girlfriend's brother, who is 13, has kissed the trophy twice.

No, he isn't taking any sips.

As the boat cruised past Granville Island, Lucic went to the very top and hoisted the Cup for everyone at the Granville Public Market to see.

He received some cheers. There were no audible boos.

"I am not trying to rub it in," Lucic said. "I know what it's like."

The views are breathtaking and the weather has cleared up with the clouds separating above the water.

As soon as Lucic brought the Cup up to the aft, he gained a following along the boat. Other smaller speed boats started to pull up and honk with the passengers waving. Lucic waved back and showed them th Cup.

He's doing this three hour cruise before heading up to a mountain-top restaurant for a private party.

- Dan Rosen

Honoring his community
08.14.2011 / 3:26 PM ET

NEW WESTMINSTER, B.C. --
Milan Lucic may have played for the enemy, but in this community he was the hero.

Lucic's first stop on his Cup day was at the Serbian Orthodox Church, where his parents are longtime members and the families here have known Milan for years.

"Since he was a little boy," Dusko Bilbija, who was helping with security, told NHL.com. "Milan is a good boy."

Lucic was welcomed inside the church by roughly 500 people and he took pictures with all of them.

With a team of security guards by his side, Lucic then took the Cup around the church for more pictures before being scurried out.

He was like a rock star.

"I'm so grateful we have someone like that to bring it back to us," ex-NHLer and East Vancouver native Sasha Lakovic told NHL.com. "Obviously the Canucks didn't do it, but when you have somebody that has grown up in the neighborhood and do such a great job like he did, wow."

Lakovic is close with Lucic's family and has known his parents for years.

"That's why he's such a great kid, his parents raised him right," Lakovic said. "Work hard and things will happen. That's what he did, and he's done it now. He brought it (the Cup) back home. Hopefully he can two-peat now."

- Dan Rosen

Like a kid on Christmas morning
08.14.2011 / 2:13 PM ET

VANCOUVER -- Milan Lucic and his girlfriend Brittany were waiting in the baggage claim area. Sweat was pouring off of Lucic, so much so that his shirt was wet.

"You can see how excited I am," he said as he waited for the Cup to come off the plane and get to him. "I am sweating through my shirt."

As the wait grew longer, Lucic commented, "What's taking them so long?"

Finally, the doors to the oversized baggage claim opened and the Cup was handed over.

Lucic couldn't wait any longer. Cup keeper Walt Neubrand opened the case and Lucic dipped his big paws in and lifted up the 35-pound trophy.

He held it aloft and posed for our cameras, and then quickly marched it through the airport to his car for the first stop of his day.

People scurried for their cameras and video recorders. A few asked Lucic if it was real. One woman asked me who that was.

When I told her, she smiled. She knew who Milan Lucic was.

Lucic's smile never came off his face. He was as excited as the moment he first lifted it after Game 7.

- Dan Rosen

On our way to Lucic's day
08.14.2011 / 12:13 PM ET

KAMLOOPS, B.C. --
We are sitting in the Kamloops airport waiting to board our flight back to Vancouver, where we'll meet up with Milan Lucic and join him in his Stanley Cup celebration day.

Lucic's itinerary remains unconfirmed at this time, but we've heard that he'll be taking the Cup out on a boat and bringing it up to a private reception at a mountain-top restaurant.

Unfortunately, Lucic has reportedly had to scale back his celebration due to extenuating circumstances stemming from a few incidents with a select group of people in Vancouver earlier this summer. His day, though, should still be memorable and if the weather cooperates, the boat ride should be spectacular.

Lucic grew up in East Vancouver and played for the Vancouver Giants of the WHL before being drafted by the Bruins in the second round of the 2006 Entry Draft.  Canucks fans have a six degrees of separation theory that traces Lucic being drafted by the Bruins all the way back to Vancouver trading Cam Neely to Boston in 1986.

Neely and Vancouver's 1987 first-round pick (Glen Wesley) were dealt to the Bruins for Barry Pederson. The Canucks later traded Pederson to Pittsburgh in 1990, but in 1994 the Bruins turned Wesley into three first-round picks (1995, 1996, 1997), of which one was Sergei Samsonov.

Twelve years after dealing Wesley for the picks, Samsonov was traded to Edmonton for Yan Stastny, Marty Reasoner and a second-round draft pick in the 2006 Entry Draft.

The Bruins used that pick to draft Lucic.

So, yes, Canucks fans do believe that they lost both Neely and Lucic in the same trade. At the very least, it's an interesting theory.

We'll catch up with Lucic soon and ask him about it.

-- Dan Rosen

The RSVP is heck, yeah
08.13.2011 / 11:15 PM ET

KAMLOOPS, B.C. -- As soon as the invite came, Bruins defenseman Andrew Ference knew exactly where he'd be Saturday afternoon.

"You don't have to twist anybody's arm too hard to come out to a Cup day, but especially Mark," Ference told NHL.com.

Ference, who spends six weeks in the summer in Vernon, B.C., his wife Krista's hometown, made the hour drive to Recchi's parents' house to celebrate with his now former teammate at his final event of a long day.

Ference brought the whole family, including Krista and daughters Ava Tye and Stella, along with a neighbor who hadn't gotten a taste of the Cup yet.

"(Recchi) is a great guy and for what he's accomplished, he's just a pleasure to be around," Ference said. "For us to have a chance to come for his last Cup, celebrate with his family, I mean we're only an hour away so we'd be crazy not to."

Ference posted for some pictures and did the interview with us, but for the most part he tried to meld into the background as Recchi and the Cup were the stars of the backyard party.

"I guess I have the ticket to (raise the Cup) if need be, but this is his day with his family," Ference said. "I was lucky enough to bring a neighbor out here, my two girls and my wife, so we get to enjoy it and snap off a few pictures, but we're trying to just mingle. This day is definitely his."

Ference will get his on Sept. 5. The Edmonton native will be celebrating in Boston because it's just easier for him to get most of his friends and family there.

He already has his day mapped out, and he said it's going to be a beauty.

"Lots of plans," Ference said. "I'm glad I got it late because I've been able to throw quite a bit of stuff together. Obviously Boston is insane right now, everybody is going crazy for it so I've had lots of help from restaurants and party planners and DJs. It'll be a really good one. It'll be memorable."

-- Dan Rosen

Smiles all around
08.13.2011 / 5:14 PM ET

KAMLOOPS, B.C. --
The Pediatric Ward at Royal Inland Hospital is full of joy this afternnoon as local hero Mark Recchi has brought national hero Stanley Cup to the patients, nurses and doctors.

Recchi is signing autographs on papers, jerseys, hats and even casts. He is posing for pictures with just about everybody here, including parents of the patients.

He had a special meeting with one of the young patients who has his own private room. As Joseph lay in his bed, the Stanley Cup next to him, the nurses kept coming in and out of the room commenting on how excited he is and how much this means to him.

"What a memory," was the comment I heard the most.

As soon as Recchi walked into the ward, nurses and doctors started to pop their heads out of the rooms and scramble for their cameras.

Every one of them jumped in to get a photo with Recchi and the Cup.

He was carrying the 35-pound trophy everywhere and starting to sweat, but Recchi's smile was huge. This is something he so wanted to do, bring the Cup to the kids and all those who care for them.

Of course, there was one person walking around who saw the Cup and wanted an autograph, but she didn't know who Mark was.

"It's OK," Recchi said. "All you have to know is we beat the Canucks."

The groans afterward were quite audible.

-- Dan Rosen


Making an impact

08.13.2011 / 3:10 PM ET

KAMLOOPS, B.C. --
The words had to touch Mark Recchi.

"You can beat Vancouver all you want, you'll always be an icon here."

Recchi heard that from one of the 25 people at the private fundraising luncheon at The Brownestone on Victoria Street this afternoon.

He's not an only an icon in Kamloops for what he did on the ice in his hockey career. Recchi has been a longtime and significant contributor to the fundraising efforts at Royal Inland Hospital, where he was born.

He previously donated $100,000 to the cancer ward and for the last six months Recchi has been at the forefront of the RIH Foundation's effort to raise $3 million toward renovations for the Intensive Care Unit.

With his name in front of the campaign, the Foundation has raised over $2 million. They have $919,933 to go and six months to do it.

They'll shave some of that number down with today's $500 a head luncheon with Recchi and the Stanley Cup.

Recchi also recently announced that the Kamloops Blazers, the local WHL team, has joined in the fundraising efforts. Recchi is part-owner of the Blazers.

"To get the opportunity to help out is great and I'm glad I'm making a difference, which is what you want to do," Recchi told his high-paying philanthropic audience. "We're going to get to that $3 million. I'm proud to be a part of it."

Veronica Carroll, the executive officer for the RIH Foundation, gushed over Recchi's involvement for such a meaningful cause in the comunity.

"His image and stature and what he means to our community as a Kamloops boy born in the hospital is fabulous," Carroll told NHL.com. "The fact that the community knows him and loves him is just wonderful."

-- Dan Rosen


He's got it again

08.13.2011 / 1:50 PM ET

KAMLOOPS, B.C. --
Mark Recchi has done this before, but it doesn't get old. When Walt Neubrand handed him the Cup in front of his old family home here just after 10 a.m. local time, Recchi quipped, "It doesn't get lighter."

He obviously doesn't care. Recchi started his day here on, of all places, Mark Recchi Way, which is the same street where his dad grew up and his brother Marty now lives with his family. He lives in the same house that their father, Mel, grew up in.

The Recchis invited four members of the Kamloops Mounted Patrol to come over and take pictures behind the house alongside the Kamloops Heritage Railway. Even the four horses are posing. Recchi is an honarary member of the Kamloops Mounted Patrol, a volunteer group that tasks itself with keeping the parks around town safe and welcoming celebrities like Recchi back to town.

Rick Wanless, the director of the Mounted Patrol, told NHL.com that Recchi is the biggest celebrity in Kamloops and "probably the biggest we will ever have here." Recchi also brought the Cup here and shared it with the Mounted Patrol after winning it in 2006. Recchi's parents, Ruth and Mel, have known Wanless for years. Wanless, in fact, led the charge to get the street named Mark Recchi Way.

-- Dan Rosen


En route to Kamploops

08.13.2011 / 11:00 AM ET

BETWEEN VANCOUVER and KAMLOOPS --
This blog is of course dedicated to the Stanley Cup's travels this summer and how the Boston Bruins are celebrating, but documenting that requires some significant travel.

For instance, this morning we are driving from downtown Vancouver to Kamloops to meet up with Mark Recchi, who should be receiving the Cup around 10 a.m. local time. The ride to Kamloops is about four hours, at least that is what the GPS says.

It is incredibly scenic with mountains all around. The beauty of British Columbia shines on this ride as the sun comes up. The snowcapped mountain tops are especially awesome. We left our hotel on Robson Street at 6 a.m. on the nose and after a quick stop for a McDonald's breakfast (we had Tim Horton's yesterday), we hit the sweet highway for the long drive.

The Cup is taking a similar journey from Maple Ridge, where Cup keeper Walt Neubrand spent the night after giving Cam Neely his day with the trophy. Our goal is to catch up with Walt and the Cup in time to see him hand it off to Rechi in Kamloops. We're motoring now and I will keep you updated, so stay tuned.

-- Dan Rosen

'The next best thing'
08.12.2011 / 10:07 PM ET

MAPLE RIDGE, B.C. --
Cam Neely finished the semi-public portion of his day with the Stanley Cup at Kingfishers restaurant along the Fraser River here in Maple Ridge. He rented out the place for a private party with his family and close friends. Guys he played with growing up and their parents were here along with all of his family members that still live in the area, including a cousin and an aunt.

The Cup, of course, took center stage in the barroom and it was, as usual, the prominent feature in many photographs.

Neely was as comfortable and happy as anyone in the room. He mingled around the restaurant, rehashing old stories of car pools to the rink while dining over an array of options, including crab legs, chicken wings, lamb shanks, fresh shrimp, short ribs and cooked vegetables.

But, as Neely was mingling inside, his sisters, Christine and Shauna, along with 11-year-old daughter Ava, stepped outside on the patio to go on camera for NHL.com and NHL Network.

Christine, the oldest of the four Neely siblings, told us that while Cam may say winning the Cup as an executive is "not as exciting as winning it as a player, it's just as exciting to his friends, his family and the people of Maple Ridge that he brought it here."

Ava had some of the best stuff to say about her dad, telling us that he didn't really ever talk about the Stanley Cup, "but I could kind of tell that he really wanted it for a long time."

She also said that while she loved being in Vancouver for Game 7 and seeing her dad raise the Cup over his head, the fact that it happened didn't sink in for about a week.

"I was really in shock when they won," she said.

And, her dad seemed just as in shock the morning after the Bruins' won the Cup.

"He didn't really say anything," Ava said. "He was kind of speechless and really happy. We were all happy."

Shauna called the victory "just absolutely unbelievable," and she added "it was also a very emotional time because it was something that I definitely really wanted for him."

Both Christine and Shauna agreed that winning it this year makes up for their brother never winning it as a player.

"Most definitely," Christine said. "For us for sure, and for him, if you ask him, this is the next best thing."

Neely is scheduled to finish his day with the Cup at Christine's house tonight. The Cup goes en route to Kamloops for Mark Recchi's turn early Saturday morning.

-- Dan Rosen

Bringing it home

08.12.2011 / 6:52 PM ET

MAPLE RIDGE, B.C. --
Cup keeper Walt Neubrand always offers suggestions to all the players and executives, and he had a good one for Neely today.

Have you ever thought of taking the Cup to your childhood home? Neely hadn't, but now he was intrigued. Now he had to do it.

So, Neely made the limobus driver carrying him, his family, Neubrand and the Cup make an unplanned stop at his old home in Maple Ridge.

Neely had no clue if anyone was home, but he was undeterred. He got out of the bus and placed the Cup on the front lawn and began taking pictures with his sisters and his daughter, Ava.

"I hope they don't mind," Neely said as he looked back toward the house. "I wonder if they're even home."

Ava was curious, too, so she ran up the front walk of the house situated at the end of a cul-de-sac and rang the bell. She rang it twice, and then a third time. There was a car in the driveway, but nobody was home.

It was their loss - imagine their surprise had they been home and opened the door. Then again, maybe they were Canucks fans and didn't want to take part in the celebration.

Who knows?

Neely wrapped up and got back in the bus. After a quick stop back at his sister's house, the bus took him and the family to Kingfishers, a restaurant on the Fraser River, for a private party with friends.

That's where we are now.

- Dan Rosen

Word has spread
08.12.2011 / 5:00 PM ET

PORT MOODY, B.C. --
Cam Neely was hoping to keep this visit to Belcarra Regional Park private, but as he walked through the park toward the beach, word spread that the Cup was here and the Bruins' president gained a following.

As Cam was taking pictures with his family and the Cup along the water, several people gathered and started snapping their own. They were all amazed at how memorable their day just became.

A few people asked me, "Is it real?" I had to assure them that yes, it is. I pointed out that Cam Neely is with it.

As he walked back up to the parking lot with the Cup in his hands, some of the crowd continued to follow him. One guy had enough courage to ask if he could hold it. Cam told him he was in a rush, but he was apologetic.

If he stopped for anything, he'd be here for an hour and he has a private party to get to now.

-- Dan Rosen

Bringing it to Mom and Dad
08.12.2011 / 4:40 PM ET

PORT MOODY, B.C. --
Mike and Marlene Neely never got to see their only son win the Stanley Cup. They both succumbed to cancer, first Marlene in 1987 and then Mike seven years later.

Mike and Marlene also had a wish to have their children spread their ashes in the Pacific Ocean. So, that's what Cam and his sisters, Chris and Shaun, did for them.

Today, Cam and his sisters are bringing the trophy he worked his entire life for back to his parents because a special visit to his hometown like this one wouldn't be complete without a trip to Belcarra Regional Park here in Port Moody.

Cam not only brought his sisters to the spot along the Burrard Inlet in the scenic park, but his daughter, Ava, as well as Chris' and Shaun's families are here with him.

Cam's wife, Paulina, and his son, Jack, could not make the trip.

They've hired a photographer to take family pictures with the Cup in this special place.

-- Dan Rosen

Neely feels his roots
08.12.2011 / 2:15 PM ET

MAPLE RIDGE, B.C. --
We drove into the parking lot 45 minutes before Neely's scheduled arrival and it was already more than half full. Parents in tow with their kids in hockey jerseys and cameras in hand are here to take it in and hopefully snap a photo with Cam and the Cup.

A couple of the giddy kids were wearing Canucks shirts, but hey, Neely played for Vancouver early in his career, so no harm, no foul.

"It's their fault, they traded him," said Spencer Levin, a longtime friend of Neely's who still coaches the Midget Triple-A team here.

Planet Ice is situated in a wide open area of Maple Ridge surrounded by trees and scattered small homes. Since it is a beautiful, sunny, 70 degree F morning, it is quite pictureesque.

The arena was built in 1996. The old arena in the downtown area was built in 1967 and renamed Cam Neely Arena in the early 90s. The name was grandfathered into the new arena.

Neely grew up about 15 minutes from this rink. He is staying with a sister of his who lives two minutes away.

Neely grew up playing in the area for the Ridge Meadows Minor Hockey Association, which currently has a roster of roughly 1,000 kids, a lot for a community of 90,000 people.

Everybody here is associated with the Association and they are all signing a banner that Neely will take back to Boston and hang in TD Garden.

After bringing the Cup in to a huge applause, Maple Ridge Mayor Ernie Daykin introduced Neely to the crowd and handed him a plaque with pictures from his visit here in February to unveil the wooden sculpture bearing his likenes.

Neely is only signing one autograph, but it is a valuable one. He is signing his own white Bruins jersey that will be raffled off later in the day. All proceeds go to the Ridge Meadows Minor Hockey Association.

After signing the jersey and briefly addressing the crowd, Neely spent the following 90 minutes posing for pictures with everybody here along with the Cup.

The backdrop to the pictures were three banners honoring the day the hometown hero returned with the Cup. Neely will sign the banners and they will hang in the arena.

"Cam wanted to do this for the kids," said Fred Armstrong, who organized the event. "It speaks to the type of man he is."

Now we're off to a special place for the Neely family. Cam is bringing the Cup to the area where he and his sisters spread their parents' ashes.

-- Dan Rosen

Neely starts day at his own arena
08.12.2011 / 1:15 PM ET

MAPLE RIDGE, B.C. --
Cam Neely, a Hall of Fame player with Bruins and current team president started his Cup day in his hometown with a trip to his home rink that is appropriately named after him.

Cam Neely Arena, which is located in Planet Ice here in Maple Ridge, has played host to the Stanley Cup before. In fact, just last year fellow Maple Ridge native Andrew Ladd brought it here for a meet and greet celebration. Ladd also brought it here in 2006 after winning it with Carolina.

This year is different. This year, Maple Ridge's Hall of Fame member is back as the local hero.

Neely, who also had the Cup in Martha's Vineyard on Wednesday, was born in Comox, B.C., but he was raised in Maple Ridge. His sister and her family still live in the area and the ashes of his parents, who both passed away of cancer, are spread in the area.

But more on that later.

-- Dan Rosen

Local trio to bring Cup back to B.C.
08.11.2011 / 5:10 PM ET

VANCOUVER --
So, maybe it isn't exactly how the folks here would have liked to celebrate this summer, but tonight the Stanley Cup will return to Vancouver for the first time since June 15, when the Boston Bruins raised it over their heads while skating on the Canucks' ice at Rogers Arena.

It's not coming here to tease. It's here for three good reasons.

Three of BC's own sports stars, including Cam Neely, Mark Recchi and Milan Lucic, will be celebrating their coveted day with the Cup in their hometowns. Every player, coach, executive and scout gets to have their day with Lord Stanley's trophy, and it just so happens that Neely, Recchi and Lucic will be doing their celebrating not far from the scene of Boston's latest greatest triumph.

NHL.com will, of course, be along for the ride, every step of the way.

Neely, the Bruins' President and Hall of Fame forward, is scheduled to arrive tonight with the Cup in tow. He's coming from Martha's Vineyard, where he enjoyed his first day with the Cup on Wednesday by reportedly holding a fundraiser for Martha's Vineyard Arena, the island's ice rink.

Neely, who never won the Cup as a player, is from Maple Ridge, which is about 45 minutes east of downtown Vancouver.

While the itinerary remains unconfirmed, Neely is expected make several stops with the Cup in and around his former neighborhood. He is expected to have family by his side at all stops as his sister still lives in the area.

The recently retired Recchi, who called it a career on the ice shortly after Game 7, is scheduled to receive the Cup in his hometown of Kamloops on Saturday. Kamloops is approximately four hours by car northeast of Vancouver. We're flying there Saturday morning.

Recchi, who won the Cup three times as a player, is expected to bring the Cup to a local hospital, take pictures with it during a scenic helicopter ride, and end his night with a private party.

Finally, Lucic gets the Cup on Sunday. His day includes trips to a few of his old stomping grounds in East Vancouver before finishing the night with a private reception. Family from as far away as San Diego, Los Angeles and Toronto will reportedly be attending, but Lucic is planning to keep his celebration relatively low-key.

Stay tuned with us right here on the Summer with Stanley blog for all the information as it unfolds.

-- Dan Rosen

A bubbly finish
08.09.2011 / 8:10 PM ET

The oldest trophy in all of sports and the oldest bottle of champagne in America -- it's a perfect marriage.

Seidenberg's cocktail party Tuesday night ended with a splash.

After three hours of mingling and posing for pictures, Seidenberg came to the front stage of the Palladium Ballroom. There, Caesars staffers popped open a bottle of champagne from 1729 -- which they said was the oldest bottle in the country.

As Queen's "We Are The Champions" played from the speakers, Seidenberg and his wife posed for pictures. Then, it was drinking time. Several of Seidenberg's former teammates from Germany -- including his first professional defensive partner -- and friends took turns sipping.

There was one scary moment. A collective gasp swept the room when the Cup was slightly mishandled by the Caesars staffer handling it, and the champagne poured all over the stage. It was promptly cleaned up, though, and the drinking resumed.

-- Emily Kaplan

Keepin' it classy
08.09.2011 / 6:45 PM ET

Next up for Seidenberg? A small cocktail party at Caesars Palladium Ballroom for about 100 friends and family -- who all had to check in at a VIP list at the door.
 
The lighting is dim and waitresses are walking around with trays of tasty appetizers such as mini tuna burgers and shrimp cocktails.

However there's certainly a hockey flare to the room.

The tables are decorated with centerpieces of yellow roses and daisies -- with a pair of small cardboard hockey sticks sprouting out of the middle.

Oh, and the Stanley Cup is on display on the stage in the front of the room, sitting next to a table featuring six jumbo bottles of champagne.

Right upon entering, Seidenberg was escorted to a small corner of the room where Cup keeper Howie Burrow had a task for him.

Burrow is carrying along with him two black-and-yellow Bruins flags. They were the flags hung on the bench immediately after Boston's Game 7 win in Vancouver.

This summer, Bruins owner Jeremy Jacobs has asked each player, on his day with the Cup, to sign the flags. It's a new tradition, and one Burrow thinks is a great idea.

"It's really nice," Burrow said, as he pointed to the flags, which already have about a dozen signatures in silver sharpie.

-- Emily Kaplan

Baby bash
08.09.2011 / 6:35 PM ET

Who's the luckiest baby in all of Atlantic City?

That would be 4-month-old Liam Foglietta.

While Seidenberg was back at home resting, the Cup was still on display at Caesars. That's when Mark Foglietta, his wife, and baby Liam stopped by. The family is from Montreal and is in town on vacation.

Mark began talking to the manager of the casino, and asked if he'd possibly be able to get a picture with Seidenberg later. The manager said he'd see what he could do, so the Fogliettas waited.

When Seidenberg, accompanied by his wife and a small entourage of close friends and family, came back, the Fogliettas were still there. A few minutes later, baby Liam -- wearing a kelly green shirt and a slight look of confusion on his face -- was being hoisted into the Cup and posing for pictures.

"How many fathers can say they had their son sit in the Stanley Cup?" Mark said afterward, still grinning.

--Emily Kaplan


Back to town
08.09.2011 / 5:55 PM ET

After a morning out at sea and at the casino, Dennis Seidenberg needed some rest.

The Bruins defenseman drove about 15 miles down the road to his beach house, a quaint sky blue home in a residential neighborhood of Margate, NJ. He took about an hour nap, and when we met back up with him he seemed rejuvenated (Dennis admitted earlier that he had a "late night" last night).

He met us outside in jeans, black shoes and a T-shirt -- and ready for some evening activities. Alongside Dennis was his well-trained dog, a boxer named Wiggles.

Wiggles went back inside, Dennis hopped into his white Land Rover, and now we're all headed back to AC for the night.

--Emily Kaplan

Cup at Caesars
08.09.2011 / 2:50 PM ET

When people go to casinos, they're usually hoping to see a lot of money. But today, visitors to Caesars Palace in Atlantic City saw something even more priceless: the Stanley Cup.

After a little time at Gold Nuggets Marina, Seidenberg and Co. transported the Cup to Caesars, where it was put on display -- on a small tablestand with red velvet ropes surrounding it -- in the front lobby, a few feet from the front desk.

To say a few casino-goers were shocked might be an understatement. People passing by were both surprised and excited to see Lord Stanley in an Atlantic City resort on a muggy August afternoon.

"Take a picture!" one man told his wife. "It looks exactly like the real thing."

It didn't take long for a small crowd to gather by the display, as camera phones flashed at a rapid pace.

One woman even approached Dennis and asked him to autograph the gift bag from her recent purchase at the hotel's convenience store. He happily obliged.

--Emily Kaplan

The Holy Grail
08.09.2011 / 1:30 PM ET

After lunch Seidenberg and his family gather back on the boat for the christening of his and wife Rebecca's new child, Noah. It's not the first time Lord Stanley has assisted in a ceremony of this nature but that doesn't make it any less special. The christening is complete with the obligatory photo of Noah in the bowl of the Cup. Next, some photos on the beach -- hopefully before the massive thunderstorms heading in this direction arrive.

-- Josh Landau

Seidenberg in Atlantic City
08.09.2011 / 11:00 AM ET

The second half of the Boston Bruins top defensive pair, Dennis Seidenberg, has taken inventory of Lord Stanley at his boat here at the Golden Nugget Marina in Atlantic City, N.J. Close friends and neighbors have lined up for some photos before heading out on the boat for pictures of the Cup on the Atlantic Ocean.

-- Josh Landau

Bergeron and Cup tour Quebec
08.08.2011 / 01:15 PM ET

Patrice Bergeron continued his day with the cup by taking photos with family in the very scenic setting of old Quebec. He made quite a scene as passers-by hovered around the Cup, and cheers, honks and screams from all over were plentiful as they tooij a tour and photo shoot of old Quebec -- he began to look like the Pied Piper of Quebec City as he made his way up the historic streets.

The streets filled up as people seek their time with Patrice and the Cup -- a good ending to an adventure with the Cup, as he finishes off his day at his home with a select few. Bergeron hopes that he can repeat his day next year with the Cup.

-- Ryan Bader

Bergeron joins the club
08.08.2011 / 11:15 AM ET

Bergeron and his family enjoyed a small breakfast at the amazing Chateau Frontenac in Quebec.  The small crowd got the chance to drink OJ out of the Cup and enjoy a fantastic breakfast. Even in a private room, the Bruin faithful were able to find the Cup -- one Boston family walked by and was able to get a photo with Patrice and the Cup.

Later in the morning Hockey Hall of Famer Curator Phil Pritchard was on hand to present Bergeron with a gold watch from the International Ice Hockey Federation recognizing his membership in the Triple Gold Club -- he is the 25th player in the history of hockey to win a gold medal at the World Championships, an Olympic gold medal and the Stanley Cup. The watch cannot be bought, only won, and just 24 others players have accomplished the feat.

-- Ryan Bader

Let the party begin
08.07.2011 / 6:30 PM ET

After spending two and a half hours in the rainy Quebec City weather posing for pictures with thousands of fans, Bergeron is now getting to spend some quality time with his family and friends on the deck at Espace 400e Bell in the Port du Quebec. Espace 400e Bell is a waterfront pavilion that served as a central location for Quebec's 400th anniversary celebrations in 2008.

The view from the deck overlooks the water and the area where he was just taking photos with his many fans.

Bergeron will be getting some personal time with the Cup tonight with close friends and family. Former teammate Steve Begin and current teammate Jordan Caron are here to celebrate Bergeron's day and night with the Cup.

After the celebration at Espace 400e Bell, Bergeron and friends are heading out for another private function away from the city.

-- Ryan Bader

Bergeron greets the crowd
08.07.2011 / 12:15 PM ET

Despite the rain, thousands of people have come out to to see Bergeron on his day with the Cup. 

Bergeron spoke to the crowd right off the St. Laurent River, telling them that he has fulfilled his childhood dream, the dream of many children, of winning the Stanley Cup. The center will now spend a portion of the day taking pictures and signing autographs with the hundres, if not thousands of fans that have come out to see him.

-- Ryan Bader

Taking the Cup to the hospital
08.07.2011 / 10:30 AM ET

Bergeron and his entourage arrive at the Children's Hospital University of Quebec, in Laval, Que.

There, he got a chance to interact with some fans and patients who otherwise might not be able to enjoy the Cup.

-- Ryan Bader

Students' special surprise
08.07.2011 / 9:45 AM ET

Bergeron's first stop was the campus of his alma mater, Seminaire Saint-Francois. The players on the school's midget AAA team were told to report to the school in the morning to fill out some paperwork, but when they arrived, they got quite the surprise.

He gave a speech to the players, and then got everyone together for a team photo with Bergeron and the Cup.

-- Ryan Bader

Bergeron receives the Cup
08.07.2011 / 9:00 AM ET

The Stanley Cup has arrived on a rainy Quebec day to start Patrice Bergeron's day with the trophy. With three different microphones hooked to the Bruins forward, this will be a well-documented day with the Cup.

Bergeron lifted the Cup at the arrival terminal, and then boarded a bus to begin his Cup adventure.

-- Ryan Bader

Julien family home
08.06.2011 / 3:40 PM ET

Claude Julien took the long road to Navan, Ontario, where he arrived at his family's home. It is also the location of his family's business. The shiny garage door at the entrance of his father’s roofing company was covered with a photo of Claude lifting the Cup after Game 7. This new edition of garage-door art gave coach Julien a chance to re-enact that moment for his family. Julien then proceeded to set up the Cup in the backyard. Now the procession of photos and autographs has begun and will continue for a while.

-- Ryan Bader

Tudor Hall
08.06.2011 / 10:53 AM ET

Claude Julien made the drive up the canal to the Tudor Hall reception hall with his wife and daughter. Joined there by more family and friends, Claude invites everyone around to feel free to pose with the Prince of Wales trophy and the Stanley Cup. And with that the line kept going and going, as hundreds had the chance to be photographed with one of the most famous trophy in sports.

-- Ryan Bader

Rideau Canal
08.06.2011 / 10:22 AM ET

Coach Claude Julien started his day off with the Cup on the Rideau Canal. Joined by his wife, Karen and his daughter Katryna, the Julien family posed for pictures in front of the beautiful canal and other amazing Ottawa city scenes. Many other onlookers joined their photographer and broke out their cameras and cell phones to enjoy the Cup.  5-year-old Katryna seemed to enjoy posing with the Cup the most -- she asked if she could lift the Cup on her own several times.

-- Ryan Bader

The happiest of birthdays
08.05.2011 / 7:45 PM ET

Peter Chiarelli and family hit their final spot for the day, the Marshes Golf and Country Club. They're enjoying food with family and friends, and with the Stanley Cup beside him, Chiarelli could not ask for a better birthday gift. WATCH: Chiarelli celebrates his birthday with the Cup

The sun has set in Ottawa, but the party has just begun …

-- Ryan Bader

Trophy Central
08.05.2011 / 3:30 PM ET

Our next stop is the home of Peter Chiarelli's father-in-law, George Brancato, former coach of the CFL's Ottawa Rough Riders. WATCH: Chiarelli talks about his day with the Cup

The Brancato household once was home to the Grey Cup, and now is home for the Stanley Cup. Many family members and friends enjoyed their time with the Cup in the beautiful Ottawa sun.

-- Ryan Bader

Visiting Uncle Bob
08.05.2011 / 1:30 PM ET

Peter Chiarelli's Uncle Bob was the next to welcome the Cup into his home.

With a red carpet laid out at the entrance of the house, many family members and friends got their chance to meet the Cup.

Uncle Bob, a former collegiate hockey player and former mayor in Ottawa, was ecstatic to have the Cup in his home. The Chiarellis consider themselves a hockey family through and through, and by the crowd at Bob Chiarelli's home we would have to agree.

And we should also mention that today is Peter Chiarelli's birthday. Uncle Bob' had a pair of cakes to celebrate the big day, but the only present Chiarelli needed was the Stanley Cup.

Some gift, eh?

-- Ryan Bader

Tim Hortons
08.05.2011 / 1:00 PM ET

The Chiarelli family decided to surprise many unsuspecting Cup fans at a local Tim Hortons. A short visit to get a cup of ice coffee becomes a long visit, with many onlookers getting photos with the world's most famous trophy. WATCH: Chiarelli takes the Cup to Tim Horton's

Many of the employees from the neighboring McDonald's heard about the famous customer next door and made the trek over the parking lot to meet the Bruins' GM and snap a photo with Lord Stanley's Cup.

-- Ryan Bader

Time for gymnastics
08.05.2011 / 11:45 AM ET

The next stop is the Nepean Corona School of Gymnastics. Getting to carry the Cup into the gym were Alicia Chiarelli, Peter's wife, and their son Cameron. WATCH: Chiarelli takes the Cup to gymnastics school

Alicia, a former gymnast and gymnastics coach, wanted to share the Cup with the school where she and her daughter have trained in the past. Alicia said she sees the gym as a second home for them, which was why it was important for them to bring the Cup there.

Alicia jokingly said Peter could handle himself quite well in this kind of gym.

Kids from all ages got a chance to pose with the Cup and share in the special day with the Chiarellis.

-- Ryan Bader

Chiarelli takes Cup to school
08.05.2011 / 10:15 AM ET

Bruins General Manager Peter Chiarelli starts his day with the Stanley Cup at his law school alma mater, the University of Ottawa. WATCH: Chiarelli takes the Cup to his alma mater

Addressing a large crowd gathered to see the Cup, the GM said he thought he would share the Cup with the community, and he felt strongly about his law school education here. He then took photos with several members of the school's hockey team.

-- Ryan Bader

Kelly spends day with Cup at 'home'
08.03.2011 / 9:53 AM ET

Chris Kelly isn't a Senator anymore, but he's never really left Ottawa.

Kelly, dealt from the Senators to the Bruins at the trade deadline, spent his day with the Stanley Cup on Tuesday taking the trophy to his old home.

"I think we've made this our home," Kelly said of Ottawa. "We've been here for so long and had so many friends in this area, just to bring it back and let them enjoy it, but also keep it pretty intimate."

Unlike a number of his teammates, Kelly didn't have any public functions with the Cup, instead taking it to a very personal place for him -- the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO).

"The one thing that I truly knew I wanted to do when I had the Cup was take it to CHEO," Kelly told the Bruins' website. "We had done things (there) when I was with the Senators in the past. And just to put a smile on a kid’s face or a parent's face -- for five minutes even -- was something that I wanted to do."

After the hospital visit, Kelly had a party for about 200 friends and family members to an area establishment.

"We just tried to get as many friends and family members together and enjoy. They did a great job here and hopefully it’ll be a great day," said Kelly.

One of the friends there was former teammate Shean Donovan. Coincidentally, one of the kids at CHEO was wearing Bruins jersey with Donovan's name and No. 22 on the back.

"I got the pleasure to play with Shean in Ottawa and I’m still really close with him," said Kelly. "That was something special. I don’t know how many Donovan jerseys are floating around but I’ll let him know there's one."

Donovan, who played one season in Boston, and Kelly were teammates for three seasons in Ottawa, a run that ended when Donovan retired before the start of the 2010-11 season.

"He was one of the most-liked guys," Donovan told the Bruins' website. "Guys were sad to see him go and couldn’t believe that he got traded. Obviously I didn't play this season, but turned into a big Bruins fan when he got traded to the Bruins and that's my team growing up, but it was awesome to see him carry the Cup and win the Stanley Cup."

For Kelly, the best part was being able to celebrate the day and his great moment with those that meant the most to him.

"Obviously most hockey players won't be in this position without their mother or father driving them to practice, to games, giving them that encouragement," said Kelly. "That’s the case with me. I'm very fortunate to have a great supporting cast at home with my parents and my brother.

"Obviously (lucky) to have my wife here, too, who has pretty much planned this entire day and done a lot for me so it'll be great."

-- Adam Kimelman

Seguin no rookie at Cup celebration
07.31.2011 / 8:05 PM ET

Tyler Seguin may still be finding his way in the NHL, but he had no trouble planning his day with the Stanley Cup, the trophy even the most-hardened NHL veterans find intimidating at times.

"I think you really want to share it with all the people...doing appearances at rinks and seeing kids," Seguin told bruins.com while enjoying his day with the Stanley Cup on Sunday in Brampton, Ont. "I mean it is my first time, so I want to take it a lot of places. And you know, when you win the Cup you want to share it with your hometown and many of the fans around.

Brampton certainly had its chances to celebrate Seguin's prize possession.

More than a thousand people showed up at Chinguacousy Park, according to reports, to get their picture taken with the Stanley Cup and Seguin.

"It's pretty crazy the amount of support we get, even on the street in Brampton...so I want to share it with all of them."

Before going to the park, though, Seguin made a pit stop, taking the Cup to the Hospital for Sick Children in downtown Toronto.

After the park, he went to Westwood Arena, the birthplace of so many Stanley Cup dreams in this area.

"I used to play hockey [there]," said Seguin. "It's going to be different, I'm really excited to see how the kids react when they see the Stanley Cup and hopefully it makes a lot of their days."

Then, Seguin finished the day with a private party, featuring a pig roast. There, he was able to reflect on the good fortune he experiemced in his freshman campaign and begin the process of preparing to defend the trophy in the coming months.

"Yeah, I think you can definitely relax a little more," said Seguin. "I've been to fortunate enough and lucky enough to win the Cup my first year, I know what it takes to get there and I want to do it again."

-- Shawn P. Roarke



More entries: Summer with Stanley 2011 blog (The first 10 days)

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