Recently, pictures have popped up all over social media as Penguins players such as Phil Kessel and Sidney Crosby got to take the Stanley Cup for an entire day to do whatever they please.
Today’s EN Assists: Noted jerk Phil Kessel was a jerk and shared the Stanley Cup with kids: https://t.co/OeuYvjhVU9pic.twitter.com/TaWe0T74HE
— Seth Rorabaugh (@emptynetters) July 19, 2016
It’s Sidney Crosby’s turn with the Cup — so where did he take it? Tim Hortons was one stop https://t.co/BJwBbntRiQpic.twitter.com/5USTG3csyR
— Pittsburgh PG (@PittsburghPG) July 16, 2016
Good stuff from the captain and Kessel.
That had us thinking, however, if we had the chance to spend the day with the Stanley Cup, free to do whatever we wanted, how would we spend that day? Our staff got together to share what we would do.
- Rachel Konieczny – “I would run one mile with the cup since I like running and it would hopefully allow more people to see it.”
- Rachael McKriger – “If I had the Stanley Cup trophy for a day, I would rent a boat and the cup and I would go along the rivers in Pittsburgh, considering how hot it’s been lately. Showing off the cup to the city is exactly the right mindset of a Stanley Cup champion to me.”
- Andrew Hodgson – “I’d probably take the Stanley Cup on stage at the Piano Bar in Columbia, Mo. and ask the St. Louis Blues fans if they knew what it was.”
- Alex Chismar – “Before passing away in the early 2000s, my Uncle Ted loved the Penguins more than anything else. Before winning their first cup in the early ’90s, he actually made a replica out of kitchenware and aluminium foil and is brought out every year the Penguins are in the playoffs. Although he is no longer around, I am sure he’d be looking down, smiling cheek to cheek if he had the chance to be near the real one, even in spirit. Though it may sound weird, if I had the Stanley Cup for a day, I would take it to his final resting place and grant him his wish of being near the most sacred trophy in hockey.”
- Zac Weiss – “It is an easy decision for me as to where I would take the Stanley Cup. My great-grandfather Joseph Bowman was the one who first taught me how to play sports and his interest and passion. This served as my introduction for what has become a lifelong love of sports. I first learned about sports from him in West Palm Beach, Fla., so it would only make sense to bring it there for the day. There would be no parade, no big tour, no photo op, it would be me finding a quiet place to reflect on my love for sports coming full circle. My great-grandfather still means the world to me even though he passed away more than 10 years ago. The lessons and love he taught me are things I am eternally grateful for so going back to West Palm Beach would create so many great memories.”
- Jose Negron – “If I had the cup for a day, I’d obviously have a huge party with friends and family. It’s cliche, but any professional athlete will tell you that they aren’t in that position to win a championship without the support of friends and family. Those are the people that I’d want to share that day with. Also, I’m sure the cup would end up in the pool at some point.”
- Jarrod Prugar – “If I had the cup the cup for a day, I’d buckle it up in the passenger seat and take it for the ride of a life time. I’d take it to my old Little League field and show it off to the kids in the league, then I’d take it to Robert Morris and show it off at Neville Island. Lastly, I’d take it out to eat and get it whatever beer and food it wanted then drink it out of it.”
- Gar Bercury – “If I was lucky enough to get to spend a day with the Stanley Cup, I would have a massive picnic/party and invite all the different youth hockey teams in the region to share with my family and friends. After all, I remember the pre-Mario Lemieux days when being a hockey player was rarely a local kid’s dream. Now, few North American cities have become more passionate about the sport than Pittsburgh. Players like Ryan Malone, R.J. Umberger, John Gibson, Brandon Saad and Mike Weber have carved out successful careers, and there are many more carving out a path to the NHL. It would be absolutely fantastic to see the excitement in the faces of kids as they got to enjoy some time with the greatest trophy in all of sports. Who knows, maybe one of them could end up being the next Mario, Sid or Geno?”
- Daniel Greenwald – “When I was asked to write about how I would spend a day with the Stanley Cup, I found I was overly prepared, having already spent more hours than I care to admit debating this exact scenario. I’ve always fancied myself a man of the people, so I want give everybody I know a shot at basking in the glow of the Stanley Freakin Cup! Experience is often the best teacher, so I’ll take it from someone been around the championship block before, Sidney Crosby. First thing I’d do with the Stanley Cup, follow Crosby’s lead by throwing a parade in your hometown. For me, that would be Mt. Lebanon. Nothing like having all your closest peers, friends and family there to witness you jaunt through your childhood home proudly hoisting the Cup like a total BOSS. My next stop with the Stanley Cup would undoubtedly be Mt. Washington. You simply can’t top the scenic view from atop Grandview Avenue. Taking photos and videos of the Stanley Cup overlooking the beautiful City of Pittsburgh with yourself, friends, teammates and any random passerby would enshrine you a place among Pittsburgh royalty, for a day at least. From there it’s onto the river. What self-respecting Penguin wouldn’t want a chance to cruise the three rivers on a luxury water vessel? Obviously all the while enjoying several adult beverages drank directly from Lord Stanley’s Cup like a giant chalice.
Lastly, I would definitely end my night with a romp through the South Side. Returning home a successful conqueror Stanley cup in hand, marching into the depths of an adoring nation of East Carson Street party goer’s and Pittsburgh loyalists. In Pittsburgh sports folk lore terms, that would be about my equivalent of a victorious Julius Caesar walking back into an ancient Rome.” - Michael Waterloo – “My day, without a doubt, would start with the cup laying beside me in bed. My wife and three dogs would have to understand that for one night, the cup takes priority in bed. After waking up, I would go to the Hershey Children’s Hospital and spend a few hours there, hoping that I could bring joy to the children. After leaving the hospital, I would put the car in the front seat of my Prius and hit the road. After some cruising time, my dogs – yes, don’t judge – would eat their dog food out of the cup. After a nice, thorough wash, I would then invite my friends over with a keg of Guinness and enjoy the stout out of the cup.”
So, how would you spend your day?
Photo credit: CTV News
