Manitoba rolling out welcome mat for Stanley Cup By: Mike McIntyre Posted: 12:52 PM CDT Thursday, Jul. 13, 2023

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 13/07/2023 (1146 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Welcome to Manitoba, Lord Stanley. Make yourself comfortable. Grab some sunscreen and mosquito spray, too.

Hockey’s holy grail is coming our way for an extended stay this summer, with five different members of the Vegas Golden Knights organization bringing the hard-earned trophy back to the place they call home.

There will be no shortage of opportunities for fans around the province to get an opportunity to see the Cup. Here’s how the tour is shaping up, so far:

FRIDAY, JULY 21 — BRANDON:

It’s rather fitting that the architect of the championship club kicks off the festivities.

Kelly McCrimmon, the general manager of the Golden Knights, will host a public celebration and viewing at the Keystone Centre between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m.

McCrimmon is hockey royalty in the Wheat City, having been the long-time coach, GM and owner of the Western Hockey League’s Wheat Kings, a team with which he once played.

He joined the expansion squad in Sin City in 2016, first as assistant GM and then taking over main duties from George McPhee in 2019. They’ve made the playoffs in five of six seasons, with two appearances in the Stanley Cup Final and now the ultimate triumph.

Although he was born in Plenty, Sask., Brandon is where he hangs his hat.

 

SUNDAY, JULY 23 — OAKBANK:

Who doesn’t love a parade? Locals will be treated to one on this day as native son Brett Howden returns with a shiny souvenir in tow.

According to the RM of Springfield, Howden will be the honoured guest at the march, which begins at high noon at the corner of Main Street and Springfield Road and ends at One Insurance Arena.

There will be plenty of photo opportunities to follow between 12:30 p.m and 2 p.m.

Howden, 25, was actually born in Calgary but moved to Manitoba at a young age. The 27th-overall draft pick from 2016 began his NHL career with the New York Rangers, spending three years on Broadway before he was traded to Vegas two years ago.

The forward had 13 points (six goals, seven assists) in 54 regular-season games this year, but really cranked it up during the playoffs by posting 10 points (five goals, five assists) in 22 games in a highly effective bottom-six role.

 

TUESDAY, JULY 25 — HEADINGLEY:

There was a time when Mark Stone wasn’t sure if he’d be able to play hockey again after undergoing a second back surgery last January. Fortunately, months of rehabilitation paid off and he was able to return to the lineup just as the playoffs started in April.

The Winnipeg-born captain of the Golden Knights was a force, with 24 points (11 goals and 13 assists) in 22 games.

He’ll have his moment in the sun as the long-time member of Breezy Bend brings the Stanley Cup to the Headingley golf course for a private event.

Stone, 31, will host a reception from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. that is exclusive to members. Attendance will be capped at 300, with a $30 price tag for a BBQ dinner in addition to mingling with the guests of honour.

 

TUESDAY, AUG. 22 — WINNIPEG:

Keegan Kolesar began his hockey career on the outdoor rink at Red River Community Club in Riverbend, located on Main Street near the north Perimeter.

The 26-year-old winger, who was born in Brandon but raised in Winnipeg, will host a public event on this day. Details are still being worked out by organizers, but the expectation is there will be a three-hour window for a meet-and-greet with Kolesar and the Cup.

Kolesar has cemented himself as a fixture in the Vegas lineup over the last two seasons. He had 18 points (career-high eight goals, plus 10 assists) in 74 regular-season games, then added five points (two goals, three assists) in 22 playoff contests.

 

WEDNESDAY, AUG. 23 — BRANDON, SIOUX VALLEY DAKOTA NATION, VIRDEN:

The final stop on the Manitoba leg will be an emotional one as Zach Whitecloud, the pride of Sioux Valley Dakota Nation, has a happy homecoming.

The undrafted defenceman, who caught the eye of McCrimmon while playing for the Virden Oil Capitals of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League, signed as a free agent with Vegas in 2017 and has become a major part of the blue line.

Whitecloud, 26, had 12 points (five goals, seven assists) in 59 regular-season games, and eight points (two goals, six assists) in 22 playoff games.

He also serves as a mentor and role model to Indigenous hockey fans and youth, which he spoke about on the television broadcast shortly after his team finished off the Florida Panthers.

“It’s a dream come true,” he said of being a champion. “I’m thankful for everyone at home for following along and being a part of the journey. Just proud of my heritage, proud of my culture and proud of where I come from.”

His father, Tim, said specific details of his day are still being worked out and will be released closer to the special day.

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In addition to public festivities, Vegas players will also be afforded some private time with the Cup, which is quickly racking up the air miles.

Forward Nicolas Roy kicked the tour off last weekend by hosting a public event in Amos, Que. Defenceman Alex Pietrangelo was next in line, taking the trophy golfing with him and his family in St. Louis.

Assistant coach Misha Donskov had it in Ohio on Tuesday where he honoured his late father, and head coach Bruce Cassidy got it on Thursday and launched a charitable foundation in Massachusetts in honour of a 13-year-old family friend who died in a tragic accident last year in Aruba.

mike.mcintyre@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @mikemcintyrewpg