The Players' Tribune - Because It’s the Cup

[Huntingwhale]

Great article by Philip Pritchard, the ''keeper of the cup''. We've all heard stories about the keeper of the cup at some points.

In the fall of 1997, the NHL held it’s opening game of the season between Vancouver and Anaheim in Tokyo. The Canadian and Japanese embassies put together a little event for the two teams. We brought the Stanley Cup along and all these Japanese people were standing around admiring at the Cup. They were extremely respectful of it — they kind of tip-toed around it, almost in awe.

Trevor Linden was standing maybe 15 feet away in the corner. Trevor was a big, tough vet from Medicine Hat, Alberta. I noticed this well-dressed Japanese gentleman kept saying something to Trevor. He was motioning him over to the Cup like, “Go on over and take a look.” And Trevor’s throwing his hands up and saying, “No, no, that’s okay.”

Finally, Trevor turned and walked away.

The Japanese guy was confused. He walked over to me and said, “He wouldn’t come over to see it. I don’t understand.”

And I said, “Well, it’s a custom. He doesn’t feel like he deserves to see it yet.”

And the gentleman very seriously says, “Well, I don’t deserve it either then, right?”

I said, “Don’t worry, it’s just a hockey player thing.”

http://www.theplayerstribune.com/kee...y-cup-stories/

[CroFlames]

I like Linden. I hope his time as president doesn't tarnish his legacy.

[bc-chris]

man i love these articles

[polak]

That was a good one.

[Trailer Fire]

Loved the last line.

[curves2000]

I wont lie but I got a tiny bit emotional reading the bit where the Cup goes to cemeteries. I never knew or even thought about something like that.

What a powerful moment just sitting there with the cup and talking to a parent, sibling, child, grandparent or other loved one who helped you get your dream.

Impressive article

[schooner]

You don’t win it. You borrow it. But your name is etched on it for all of history.

The history of the cup is so incredible. The best trophy in all of sports.

[trublmaker]

well it is the coolest trophy in sports

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

The Cup is not perfect. It’s got 120 years of nicks and smudges, and the names aren’t all etched on straight.

Except it doesn't since it was made in 1963...

[Northendzone]

cool story bro warning:

one of the guys I coached with this winter made an arrangement for our team to have a private viewing of the cup - unlike seeing it at the hall of fame we were actually able to touch the cup. it was really neat seeing the names of all the players (great and not so great) etched on the cup - spelling errors and all.

phil was not with the cup, but the guy who was, said he was leaving Calgary that night and grabbing a red eye to TO and he had to be in Lake Placid NY the next day with the cup. this guy said he spent 200 plus days a year on the road.

this moment will be one of the highlights of my minor hockey coaching career

end cool story bro

[Flashpoint]

Even with all these stories, whenever people ask me what the most special part of my job is, I tell them about the only time I’m not with the Cup. Often, a player will take me aside during their day and say, “If you don’t mind, I would like to take the Cup to the cemetery for a while.”

That one kind of hits ya right in the feelings.

[Looch City]

Keeper of the Cup.

Best job title ever.

[Tacopuck]

Originally Posted by iggy city

keeper of the cup.

Best job title ever.

fyp

[craigwd]

Originally Posted by Northendzone

cool story bro warning:

one of the guys I coached with this winter made an arrangement for our team to have a private viewing of the cup - unlike seeing it at the hall of fame we were actually able to touch the cup. it was really neat seeing the names of all the players (great and not so great) etched on the cup - spelling errors and all.

phil was not with the cup, but the guy who was, said he was leaving Calgary that night and grabbing a red eye to TO and he had to be in Lake Placid NY the next day with the cup. this guy said he spent 200 plus days a year on the road.

this moment will be one of the highlights of my minor hockey coaching career

end cool story bro

You're allowed to touch it in the HOF.
I was rapping the side a bunch of times to see if it was hollow inside.

[handgroen]

this article lead me to the mike rupp, ryan whitney playoff preview which was an absolute joy

[billybob123]

"Whitney! Whitney! Get the fata off the Ice!". I rarely laugh out loud at things I read, but this I did.