FEATURE: Legends Cup and the gift of hockey

For Bob Murphy, his life as a Chicago fireman and his passion for the sport of hockey have crossed paths on many occasions throughout the years.
"Playing for the fire department, we would go on trips to Nashville or go up to Toronto and play the firemen there," Murphy said.

Murphy served the Chicago community as a fireman for nearly 30 years. When it came time to retire, his wife and children chose hockey, and in particular the Blackhawks Legends Cup fantasy camp, as the perfect gift.
"[My wife] went to a game with me and saw it somewhere online or through a Blackhawks ad or word of mouth," Murphy said. "She told the kids 'send your dad there.'"

Murphy's family signed their father up for the experience of a lifetime with him already being a massive Blackhawks fan. He owns season tickets with three of his firemen buddies. And with his daughter, Christine, being a member of the Bud Light Ice Crew, Murphy and his wife attend many games and events, such as watch parties.
But Murphy never expected that a spot in the Legends Cup would be his retirement gift.
"They surprised me when my wife came up to me and started asking me for my sizes," he said. "My helmet size, my glove size, my pant size or what kind of jersey size I have. I'm sitting there and I'm like 'I know you like hockey, but you never ask me that stuff. Then my daughter Christine sprung that on me and told me I was going to fantasy camp."
And now Murphy is getting the chance to skate on the ice with his idols, including Blackhawks alumni such as Denis Savard, Chris Chelios, and Eddie Olczyk. The fantasy camp at MB Ice Arena guarantees participants four games, a practice and video session, the opportunity to play alongside former Blackhawks, pro-quality and personalized hockey gear, numerous meet-and-great opportunities and much more over the course of this weekend in March.
On the first day, Murphy was already amazed at how friendly the alumni were with the participants.
"They're all guys you can approach and talk to and they're all down-to-earth guys," he said. "It's just fun. It's a dream to go out and skate with them and see how things run. To have a chance to play games with them and then go out to dinner and they can tell their war stories, and I can tell them stories about the fire department."

This is the first time the Blackhawks have held the Legends Cup, but it won't be the last.
"To be on the ground floor of the first time is special too," Murphy said. "I know in years to come, the word is going to get out and it's going to be harder and harder to get a spot.
"It's just such a great time. To have the wife and kids buck up for this is really special."
Murphy smiled when asked if hockey would remain a part of his retirement plans, even after the Legends Cup.
"Oh yes, I've been skating with the firemen my whole time on the job so I have a lot of friends still skating with them," he said. "I'll still go on trips as that's really my only out in the winter time. I've done it all this time now, so I'll still keep skating."
And would he want to skate in the Legends Cup again?
"I'd jump at the chance," he said.