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Aaron Ekblad brings Stanley Cup back home to Lakeshore

Hockey's top prize will be on display at the Atlas Tube Centre on Saturday morning.

The Florida Panthers defenceman won hockey’s top prize in June

CBC News ·
Florida Panthers NHL hockey player Aaron Ekblad carries the Stanley Cup in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Tuesday, June 25, 2024. The Panthers beat the Edmonton Oilers 2-1 on Monday night in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun-Sentinel via AP)
Belle River's Aaron Ekblad carries the Stanley Cup in a June celebration in Florida. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun-Sentinel via Associated Press)
Windsor Morning4:10Stanley Cup to visit Aaron Ekblad's home town of Lakeshore on Saturday

The Stanley Cup is on its way to the Municipality of Lakeshore.

Aaron Ekblad will have his day with hockey's top prize on Saturday.

And included in that is him showing it off at the Atlas Tube Centre (ATC) from 9:10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Fans are encouraged to start lining up at 8 a.m. They'll get a chance to snap a photo with Ekblad and the cup.

The Florida Panthers defeated the Edmonton Oilers in Game 7 back in June.

"This is a special opportunity to show the Stanley Cup to everyone who has shown me so much support through the years," said the 28-year-old defenceman, in a statement.

Florida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad raises the NHL hockey Stanley Cup trophy after defeating the Edmonton Oilers in Game 7 of the Final, Monday, June 24, 2024, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
Ekblad raises the cup for the first time after beating the Edmonton Oilers in Game 7. (Wilfredo Lee/Associated Press)

Frank Jeney is with the Municipality of Lakeshore and says calls it a "bucket list" opportunity.

"I've been watching that trophy since I was a little kid."

Although he's admittedly "very excited" to see the trophy up close and personal, Jeney says he doesn't think it would be a good idea for him to try and hoist it over his head.

"I'm the kind of person if I lift it up it might break or something," he joked with CBC Radio Windsor Morning host Amy Dodge. "I'm probably just going to let it sit on the table where it belongs."

A male ice hockey team poses for a group picture on the ice around the Stanley Cup.
The Florida Panthers pose with the Stanley Cup after defeating the Edmonton Oilers 2-1 in Game 7 on Monday night at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Fla. (Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

While organizing Saturday's event, Jeney says it was a big deal for Ekblad to ensure a lot of people got to see Lord Stanley's mug. 

"He really wanted to give that opportunity to as many people as possible ... and possibly get a picture with it."

A man in a blue suit holds up a silver trophy
Florida Panthers head coach Paul Maurice lifts the Stanley Cup trophy after Game 7 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final against the Edmonton Oilers. (Rebecca Blackwell/Associated Press)

According to Jeney, the cup and everyone inside the facility will be well secured — with a lot of staff and emergency services people on hand like firefighters, OPP officers and other security.

"The Stanley Cup does send its own staff that take it around to all of those on the team that get a chance to be able to spend the day with it. So you'll see a lot of people around." 

Panthers head coach Paul Maurice has family and ties to Windsor-Essex, too. However, it's unclear at this point if the former Windsor Spitfires player and coach will get his hands on the cup while it's in Windsor-Essex.

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