Have you ever wanted to see the most famous trophy in North American sports? You will have a chance on Sunday.
The Town of Lakeshore announced Tuesday that the Stanley Cup will be displayed at the Atlas Tube Centre for a public event. The Cup will be available courtesy of Steve Ott, a current assistant coach with the recently-crowned champion, St. Louis Blues.
Traditionally, all team personnel are given their own day with the Stanley Cup. Ott, who grew up in Stoney Point, is using his day to set up the viewing.
The Cup will be on display from 11:30 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. in the Rock Development Rink of the Atlas Tube Centre. The first 45 minutes will be set aside for the Belle River District Minor Hockey teams and the Lakeshore Lightning teams to have their photos taken with the trophy. The general public will then have their chance to see the Cup from 12:15 p.m. to 2:15 p.m.
If you would like your photo taken with the Cup, you are asked to bring a canned good to donate. They will be collected and sent on to the Community Support Centre of Essex County's Community Food Pantry. Only photos will be taken, no autographs will be signed.
Ott was born in Prince Edward Island and grew up in Lakeshore. He played his junior hockey with the Windsor Spitfires and was drafted by the NHL's Dallas Stars in 2000. The centre played for the Stars, Buffalo Sabres, and Blues before finishing his career with the Detroit Red Wings and Montreal Canadiens. He joined the coaching staff in St. Louis in the spring of 2017.
This season, the Blues won their first Cup since the team was established in 1967.
The Spitfires have retired #14, worn by Ott, Adam Henrique and Ed Jovanovski.
Banners hanging in the rafters of the WFCU Centre commemorating former Spitfires Adam Henrique, Ed Jovanovski and Steve Ott (Photo by Jake Kislinsky).