Slavin shares Stanley Cup with North Carolina nonprofit community

RALEIGH, N.C. -- Jaccob Slavin stood patiently under the portico at The King’s Chapel church on Saturday morning, waiting for someone to open the liftgate of a white minivan. When the door opened, the Carolina Hurricanes’ defenseman smiled and peered in the back.

“Ah, there it is,” he said.

Slavin gently lifted the Stanley Cup and walked it past a line of Hurricanes' fans eager to spend a moment with the NHL’s most coveted trophy.

The invitation of close to 200 guests was a gesture of thanks to members of the nonprofit community. To begin his "Day with the Cup," Slavin invited administrators and volunteers from more than 20 local Christian-based charities. They gathered in a ballroom for donuts and coffee, and a thank-you message.

“I’m so happy all you guys are here,” Slavin said. “The Cup is super amazing, and it was super cool to win it. But at the same time, what you guys do in this community, the Raleigh area and in His kingdom has an impact. The fact that I get to celebrate this amazing achievement with all of you is awesome. Truly, thank you for all the hard work you do.”

One by one, each table of guests moved to the lobby, where Slavin signed various items before posing for pictures. With group after group, he issued an emphatic, “Go ahead, it’s OK to touch the Cup!” With so many eyes focused on the trophy, few guests seemed to notice Slavin’s Olympic gold medal draped around his neck.

Even with a tight 90-minute time frame, Slavin found a way to answer each request. When he met Peter and Cindy Sweere, she asked him to make a video greeting for her mother’s 90th birthday. Without missing a beat, the 11-year NHL veteran grabbed Cindy's phone and nailed it, customized with her mother’s name.

“She makes sure every game is recorded,” Cindy said. “She watches every single game.”

While the photo op served as a thank-you to community members, one group managed to both pay it forward and honor Slavin. The Grayson Murray Foundation provides support for mental health and addiction, along with funding for innovative services and research. The foundation’s namesake, Grayson Murray, was a Raleigh native and a two-time winner on the PGA Tour. A big Hurricanes fan, he and Slavin shared both a friendship and a strong Christian faith. Murray, who struggled with alcoholism and depression, took his own life on May 25, 2024, one day after withdrawing from a tournament.

With Slavin’s blessing, the foundation made the most of its invitation, auctioning off a chance for a fan to participate in the event.

“Grayson suffered from depression, which cost him his life,” said Jeff Maness, who was a longtime friend of Murray and now serves as president of the foundation. “So, we’re turning our grieving into positivity and helping others with mental health issues through raising funds and providing treatment through certified facilities and mental health professionals. Our focus is to crush the stigma around mental health.”

The winners of the auction, Alby and Heather Rose, drove 1,200 miles from Houston for the meet and greet. The two were Hurricanes season ticket holders until their jobs moved them to Texas in 2004. Alby did not tell his wife he was bidding on the event, but she was delighted to learn their $5,100 bid secured the prize. Better still, Alby’s employer matched the donation.

“It was absolutely worth it,” Heather said. “The Grayson Murray Foundation is important to us. We only came up for this event.”

Her husband also recognized that their contribution to the event outweighed the excitement of a moment with the Stanley Cup.

“Sure, it’s great to see Jaccob, and it’s great to see and touch the Stanley Cup,” Alby said. “But in my own family, I’ve had people who have dealt with severe depression, addiction, and alcoholism. Seeing a foundation in place that can provide hope when there may not be hope, it’s something that really resonated with me.”

The couple spent their morning alongside Eric Murray, Grayson’s father. For a man with so much on his heart, he easily explained how the grief and the gratitude could exist side by side.

“For Alby and Heather to drive all the way from Houston, it wouldn’t have happened if it hadn’t been for Jaccob,” Eric said. “Every single day is a memory. At every stop light, we may see something. The first thing my wife saw on her car today was a butterfly. There seems to be a lot of butterflies around our house. It’s a symbol of Grayson. Almost every day, there is something very important that shows us Grayson is still here, still guiding us. We know what he wants done. We’re steadfast in trying to accomplish it.”