Chesley native Brock Myles got to realize a childhood dream, to bring the Stanley Cup home.
The Washington Capitals head equipment manager got his turn with the famous chalice Friday, as he brought the Cup to the Chesley Community Centre to share with friends, family, and people from the town and beyond. Myles wanted to give back to the community, and brought along plenty of unique Capitals items to auction off, with proceeds going to Arran-Elderslie Minor Hockey, and the Canadian Mental Health Grey-Bruce.
The first 500 fans received a custom Capitals championship photo and puck, and got to take a picture with the Cup. Mark Cowan, a sales manager with Blackstone Sports, was also on-hand to donate a brand new skate sharpener to the rink. A line began to form around 6am at the arena, with hundreds of fans pouring in after the doors opened just before 10am. Myles says that being able to bring the Cup home and share it with everyone is special.
"It's really rewarding to see people you maybe haven't seen in a while, and to have the Cup back home, and make people smile, it's all worth it. This is a pretty great experience and I hope everyone enjoys it."
Phil Pritchard, the official Keeper of the Cup, says it never gets old to see the reactions that the Cup can provoke.
"This is our second day of the Ontario leg of the summer tour, and it's great to see how happy people get when they see the Cup. It's great to be here in Chesley and see how much it means to the town and all of Brock's friends and family."
Anxious fans wait outside the Chesley Community Centre to get a picture with the Stanley Cup, brought home by Chesley native Brock Myles of the Washington Capitals. August 3rd, 2018 (Photo by Ryan Drury)
Fans file in to see the Stanley Cup at the Chesley Community Centre, as native Brock Myles gets his day with the Cup as a member of the Washington Capitals. August 3rd, 2018 (Photo by Ryan Drury)
L-R: Jeff Irwin, President of Arran-Elderslie Minor Hockey, Mark Cowan, Sales Manager at Blackstone Sports, and Washington Capitals head equipment manager and Chesley native Brock Myles stand around the brand new skate sharpener donated by Blackstone for the Chesley Community Centre as part of Myles' day with the Stanley Cup. August 3rd, 2018 (Photo by Ryan Drury)