Penguins flag to fly over Sports Hall of Fame

Thunder Bay's newest Stanley Cup champion is being celebrated on Monday.

Matt Murray will be in attendance at the Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame when the Pittsburgh Penguins flag is raised at a special ceremony at 10:30 am.

The Penguins won the Stanley Cup last season. Murray, 22, was their star goaltender.

"It's one of those stories that we're going to be telling years from now is that Cinderella story of a kid that, so young, stepped up to the plate and brought home the Stanley Cup," said Diane Imrie, Executive Director of the Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame.

"It was pretty amazing. You see he had the Sleeping Giant on the back of his helmet, and there was definitely a collective cheer that went up when Matt got to hold that Stanley Cup," she said. "It's one of those moments from our rich hockey history that will definitely be one of the highlights for many more years go come."

The flag-raising ceremony will take place outside the sports hall of fame, which is located at 251 May St. S.

Inspirational achievements

Imrie said more than 125 Thunder Bay hockey players have made the NHL, and about 25 have their names engraved on the Stanley Cup.

It's important to recognize them, Imrie said.

"Success on the big stage, if you will, shows young athletes, young kids, that they also can make it and get the opportunity to follow their dreams," she said. "It gives a lot of hope for kids coming up, boys and girls."

Murray will also be at Intercity Shopping Centre Tuesday for a public celebration, with the Stanley Cup itself in tow.

That event runs from noon to 2 pm in the mall's promotions court.