Stanley Cup on way to Thunder Bay
Patrick Sharp hit the ice Monday for the first time since he became a Stanley Cup champion nearly a month ago.
The Thunder Bay native and Chicago Blackhawks forward had the rink at the Tournament Centre to himself Monday night for a short session to test some new equipment.
“Yeah, it was my first time since Game 6 (of the final),” Sharp said in a phone interview. “It felt OK.”
Chances are Sharp will be feeling more than “OK” on Saturday when he gets his opportunity to host the Cup in his hometown.
On the agenda for hockey‘s Holy Grail is a public photo op at Fort William Gardens beginning at 11 a.m. From there, Sharp plans to make what he‘s calling several “surprise” appearances before a private get-together in the evening at the family‘s camp.
This is the third time in the past five years an NHLer from Thunder Bay has been on a Stanley Cup-winning team and made the triumphant trip home. Eric Staal of the Carolina Hurricanes held an autograph session at Marina Park in 2003 and Jordan Staal was at the Gardens last summer to celebrate the Pittsburgh Penguins‘ title. Count Chris Pronger‘s trip to Dryden in 2007 as a member of the Anaheim Ducks and that‘s four times for the region in a short period of time.
“It‘s exciting,‘‘ said Sharp. “Everybody‘s had a chance and I‘m happy that I‘m having a chance to bring it here. It‘s pretty amazing to think it‘s been here three times already. . . . It shows I‘m not just another player in the league.”
The Sharp family is in for a busy weekend, he added.
“Makes it tough knowing you‘re only going to have it for one day. You want to make sure everyone gets to see it, but also for your friends and family,” Sharp said.
“And the people in the city who have supported all of us NHLers.”
Sharp said the Cup is expected to be in Toronto this week for teammate Troy Brouwer and now-former Hawk Ben Eager before arriving in Thunder Bay. Chicago captain and playoff MVP Jonathan Toews is expected to host the Cup after Sharp, in Winnipeg.
The Blackhawks ended a 49-year championship drought on June 9 when they defeated the Philadelphia Flyers 4-3 in overtime. The 28-year-old Sharp was fifth in playoff scoring with 11 goals and 11 assists in 22 games.
Patrick Sharp hit the ice Monday for the first time since he became a Stanley Cup champion nearly a month ago.
The Thunder Bay native and Chicago Blackhawks forward had the rink at the Tournament Centre to himself Monday night for a short session to test some new equipment.
“Yeah, it was my first time since Game 6 (of the final),” Sharp said in a phone interview. “It felt OK.”
Chances are Sharp will be feeling more than “OK” on Saturday when he gets his opportunity to host the Cup in his hometown.
On the agenda for hockey‘s Holy Grail is a public photo op at Fort William Gardens beginning at 11 a.m. From there, Sharp plans to make what he‘s calling several “surprise” appearances before a private get-together in the evening at the family‘s camp.
This is the third time in the past five years an NHLer from Thunder Bay has been on a Stanley Cup-winning team and made the triumphant trip home. Eric Staal of the Carolina Hurricanes held an autograph session at Marina Park in 2003 and Jordan Staal was at the Gardens last summer to celebrate the Pittsburgh Penguins‘ title. Count Chris Pronger‘s trip to Dryden in 2007 as a member of the Anaheim Ducks and that‘s four times for the region in a short period of time.
“It‘s exciting,‘‘ said Sharp. “Everybody‘s had a chance and I‘m happy that I‘m having a chance to bring it here. It‘s pretty amazing to think it‘s been here three times already. . . . It shows I‘m not just another player in the league.”
The Sharp family is in for a busy weekend, he added.
“Makes it tough knowing you‘re only going to have it for one day. You want to make sure everyone gets to see it, but also for your friends and family,” Sharp said.
“And the people in the city who have supported all of us NHLers.”
Sharp said the Cup is expected to be in Toronto this week for teammate Troy Brouwer and now-former Hawk Ben Eager before arriving in Thunder Bay. Chicago captain and playoff MVP Jonathan Toews is expected to host the Cup after Sharp, in Winnipeg.
The Blackhawks ended a 49-year championship drought on June 9 when they defeated the Philadelphia Flyers 4-3 in overtime. The 28-year-old Sharp was fifth in playoff scoring with 11 goals and 11 assists in 22 games.
