Latest news with #MatthewTkachuk
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Brad Marchand and Matthew Tkachuk turn rivalry into brotherhood after Stanley Cup win
Brad Marchand and Matthew Tkachuk turn rivalry into brotherhood after Stanley Cup win (Image Source: Getty Images) After the Florida Panthers won their second straight Stanley Cup, something happened on the ice that fans did not expect. It wasn't just about the trophy or the goals. What stood out was a surprising and touching moment between two players who were once fierce rivals. Brad Marchand and Matthew Tkachuk shared a hug that made fans emotional. But how did these two go from rivals to teammates—and now brothers? Brad Marchand and Matthew Tkachuk share emotional moment after Panthers' Stanley Cup win On Monday, June 17, 2025, the Florida Panthers won the Stanley Cup again after beating their opponent in Game 6 at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Florida. Right after the final buzzer, Brad Marchand and Matthew Tkachuk hugged on the ice in front of fans and cameras. It wasn't just a quick hug. It was full of real emotion. Matthew Tkachuk said, 'Love you f***ing brother,' and Marchand answered, 'Love you too, baby.' The moment was shared by B/R Open Ice on X, and fans quickly started reacting to it. Marchand and Tkachuk didn't always get along. Their battles on the ice were intense for years. But everything started to change after they played together at the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament. They began to understand each other more, and their bond started to grow. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Tkachuk had said during the tournament, 'It's our time right now,' and Marchand later fired back after winning for Team Canada, joking, 'Sometimes when you shoot your mouth off in the media, it bites you. ' Marchand joined the Panthers in a trade from the Boston Bruins in March 2025. Since then, their friendship has grown even more. 'It's been unreal having him in,' Tkachuk told reporters. 'He brings that winning feeling. We may not be the fastest or the strongest team, but we're deep and experienced.' Fans react to Brad Marchand and Matthew Tkachuk's new friendship on and off the ice NHL fans were surprised by how close Brad Marchand and Matthew Tkachuk have become. One fan wrote, 'The spin and hug looks like something out of a movie.' Others shared that it's amazing to see tough players drop their past fights and support each other after winning something big. Also Read: Brad Marchand's $156679.74 Bar Night And Misspelled Tattoo Spark Fresh Internet Mockery From Bruins Fans Florida's head coach Paul Maurice also praised Marchand's impact. After the Panthers beat the Toronto Maple Leafs in Round 2, he said, 'There's a Brad Marchand effect in the room.' Maurice explained how players like Anton Lundell have picked up that same fire. Their connection is now a symbol of how rivals can become teammates—and even family—when united by a dream. Game On Season 1 kicks off with Sakshi Malik's inspiring story. Watch Episode 1 here
Time of India
8 hours ago
- Sport
- Time of India
"F**king love you baby': Brad Marchand and Matthew Tkachuk's long hug shocks fans and sparks panic over their unexpected bond
Brad Marchand and Matthew Tkachuk shared a long hug as the Panthers won the Stanley Cup.(Image via Instagram/br_openice) Brad Marchand, the former captain of the Boston Bruins, had a long standing rivalry with the Florida Panthers' Matthew Tkachuk but things changed when Marchand ended up joining the team early this year. With the Florida Panthers lifting the Stanley Cup after defeating the Edmonton Oilers, the heartfelt exchange between Brad Marchand and Matthew Tkachuk has sparked frenzy among fans. Brad Marchand's long hug with Matthew Tkachuk has shocked and sparked a frenzy among fans As the Florida Panthers defeated the Edmonton Oilers, Matthew Tkachuk could be spotted approaching and hugging Brad Marchand tightly as he said, 'F**king love you baby'. Brad Marchand also appeared visibly emotional as the two shared a long, tight hug. Now, this moment has sparked frenzy among fans. A fan took to X and wrote, 'The spin and hug looks like something out of a movie', while another fan commented, 'The Panthers made a great move by picking up Marchand. Right when he hit the ice it was like he was made for Florida and he didn't stop till the very end. Good moves wins cups.' A third fan posted, 'What a team. Two of the best in the game today', while another user wrote, 'imagine telling me this would happen in January of this year.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like What She Did Mid-Air Left Passengers Speechless medalmerit Learn More Undo A fifth fan noted, 'This is the perfect example of two of the MOST "if he's on your team you love him, if he's on the other team you hate him" players in the sport. Florida has a handful of them. The chemistry of that locker room is undeniably good.' Brad Marchand was spotted embracing his wife and children as the family got emotional over the Stanley Cup win As the Florida Panthers lifted the Stanley Cup, Brad Marchand was spotted getting emotional as his children and wife, Katrina Marchand, rushed to hug him. Matthew Tkachuk also spoke about the extent of injuries he had sustained and how his teammates helped him to pull off the match. He said, "I really didn't think I would be playing, or at least playing to my capabilities. The longer the playoffs went, the better I felt. I owe that to the guys for giving me some wiggle room to feel good." Also Read: 'We did it': Brad Marchand shares heartfelt celebration with wife and daughters after Stanley Cup win leaving fans emotional Game On Season 1 kicks off with Sakshi Malik's inspiring story. Watch Episode 1 here
Toronto Sun
9 hours ago
- Sport
- Toronto Sun
Stanley Cup is no stranger to damage or rough and tumble adventures
The top prize in hockey has sustained its fair share or dings and dents over the years. Get the latest from Lance Hornby straight to your inbox Florida Panthers' Matthew Tkachuk holds up the Stanley Cup during the team's celebration, Wednesday, June 18, 2025, at the Elbo Room in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. The dent on the cup is clearly visible near his left hand. South Florida Sun-Sentinel via AP The Florida Panthers are hardly the first team to play rough with the Stanley Cup. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account A team fights that long and that hard to win it, you deserve a chance to celebrate and though it's made of malleable material (a silver-nickel alloy that can usually be re-shaped) its custodians prefer it be returned in one piece. Donated by Lord Stanley of Preston in 1888, some of our favourite tales of when the Cup was runneth over: CUP GETS ITS KICKS The 6,400 kilometres the Dawson City Nuggets travelled from the Yukon to Ottawa to challenge for the title in January of 1905 was Cup-worthy in itself, though the Ottawa Silver Seven blew out the weary travelers in a best-of-three series. After a 23-2 one-sided clincher, the gracious Seven held a banquet for the visitors, with the victorious Bytowners later staggering into the street with their prize. Bets were placed whether one of them could boot the bowl across the Rideau Canal — thankfully frozen over at that time of year — but when it only landed halfway, none of the merrymakers thought to retrieve it. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Next morning, a player was grateful to find it still there. FORGETTING SOMETHING? In 1924, the Cup was abandoned again. The winning Montreal Canadiens went off to owner Leo Dandurand's home, but the car carrying the trophy had a flat tire. After getting out to fix it, they forgot they had put the trophy at the side of the road. HOT STUFF Twice the Cup has been allegedly burned, once when the 1940 champion New York Rangers ceremoniously set fire to the paid-off mortgage of original Madison Square Garden and during one of Toronto's championships in the '60s during a team bonfire party. It has been established that the bowl can hold 14 bottles of beer. But in 1957, Habs legend Maurice 'Rocket' Richard chipped both of his front teeth while taking an enthusiastic swig. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Other players have been at a loss for words when asked to describe the taste of beer, champagne and alloy after it's constantly refilled. CUP-NAPPED A Montreal fan didn't take it well when his team failed to win the Cup in 1962. As it sat in a glass case in the lobby of old Chicago Stadium during the '62 playoffs, won the previous year by the Blackhawks, Ken Kilander deftly opened the door, put the Cup on his shoulder and was marching out when arrested. He later told the judge: 'Your Honour, I was simply bringing the Cup back to Montreal where it belongs.' KID STUFF One of the oldest Cup traditions is a player's young child posed in the bowl — but accidents do happen. When the Leafs won their third straight title in '64, team exec Harold Ballard brought the Cup to Red Kelly's Toronto home as the star split his time as an elected Toronto MP and been called to Ottawa right after beating Detroit. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Conn Kelly, then just a few months old, was positioned in the bowl for a photo and wound up relieving himself, a story Red laughed about for years whenever he saw someone drink from the trophy. In 2008, Kris Draper's infant daughter also soiled herself, but the unfazed forward gave the Cup a thorough cleaning and drank from it the same day. But rest assured of the Cup's purification: Colorado's Sylvain Lefebvre was the first of four players to use it as a baptismal font. POOL PARTY Silver and chlorine might not be a good mix, but more than once, a Cup handoff at a backyard pool was fumbled. It rested at the bottom of Mario Lemieux's pond during a Pittsburgh Penguins party. 'The Cup does not float,' teammate Phil Bourque confirmed. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The first time Florida won it last year, it went to sea on a fishing trip and was used to hold live bait This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. There was new meaning given to the term 'hoisting the Cup' in 1988. Edmonton car mechanic Al Braun looked up from a fender repair job to see a sheepish looking Oilers official holding the badly dented Cup. With the team picture to be taken that day, Braun was asked to put the trophy back into recognizable shape. Braun and two pals put the Cup on a hoist, re-attached the broken base, straightened the bumps and shined it up — for no charge. RANGER DANGER In 1994, the NHL was not pleased to put the Cup on display for the draft in Hartford with a decided tilt to one side, the result of late-night carousing by the champion Rangers. 'It looked like someone sat on it,' complained a Hall of Fame official, who re-possessed it from the team until it could be repaired. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'It was dropped multiple times,' former Ranger-turned-Sportsnet Nick Kypreos co-host recalled to us on Wednesday. 'We got in trouble with the older person from (the league office in Montreal) for letting people grab it by the neck.' Before accepting an invite from the Mayor's office to bring it to his house, the team entrusted Kypreos and goalie Glenn Healy with the Cup for a couple of hours. In a police squad car escort, they brought it to Manhattan's oldest bar, McSorley's Ale House, a movie locale for Gangs of New York . 'The place went absolute bananas,' Kypreos said in his book, Undrafted. 'We barely got through the door before the Cup was taken from our hands and passed through the crowd. Total mayhem.' HOCKEY TALKY SHOW David Letterman procured the Cup one year the New York Islanders won it, walking it out for Late Night 's opening. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. On Jimmy Kimmel Live , the host and sidekick Guillermo Rodriguez went much further by mixing a giant margarita in the bowl — salt, lime and all — with the help of the Los Angeles Kings' Conn Smythe Trophy winner Justin Williams and defenceman Alec Martinez. The foursome then sipped the concoction under the watchful eye of the Hall of Fame's white-gloved Cup custodian Phil Pritchard. Read More AVS CUP NICKED The Cup was damaged on live TV in Colorado's 2022 celly. Players were assembled for the traditional centre-ice photo and called Nicolas Aube-Kubel to come over with it, but in his rush, the forward stumbled and dropped it. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'I guess it's a new record today, five minutes into the presentation,' Pritchard quipped at the time. Traditionalists often are shocked and dismayed by the trophy's treatment but, after all, it is known as 'the people's Cup.' The current Lord Edward Stanley, who visited the Hall of Fame for the first time last year, told Postmedia he has no issue with how the winners party with his great-great-great grandfather's donation to the sport. 'I think it's very cool. I really enjoyed hearing the stories,' he said. 'The love is in the heritage' lhornby@ X: @sunhornby World NHL Toronto & GTA MMA Editorial Cartoons
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Hockey rides into offseason with full-on buzz, a threepeat bid and Olympic-size showdowns ahead
Florida Panthers fans celebrate a goal by center Sam Reinhart during the second period of Game 6 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final against the Edmonton Oilers Tuesday, June 17, 2025, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) Members of the Florida Panthers hockey team celebrate with fans outside the Elbo Room, Wednesday, June 18, 2025, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., the morning after defeating Edmonton in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final. (Amy Beth Bennett/South Florida Sun-Sentinel via AP) Florida Panthers left wing Matthew Tkachuk pours beer into the Stanley Cup at the Elbo Room at the Elbo Room, Wednesday, June 18, 2025, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., the morning after defeating Edmonton in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun-Sentinel via AP) Florida Panthers left wing Matthew Tkachuk, front. and defenseman Gustav Forsling pour beer from the Stanley Cup onto fans at the Elbo Room, Wednesday, June 18, 2025, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., the morning after defeating Edmonton in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun-Sentinel via AP) Florida Panthers left wing Matthew Tkachuk, front. and defenseman Gustav Forsling pour beer from the Stanley Cup onto fans at the Elbo Room, Wednesday, June 18, 2025, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., the morning after defeating Edmonton in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun-Sentinel via AP) Florida Panthers fans celebrate a goal by center Sam Reinhart during the second period of Game 6 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final against the Edmonton Oilers Tuesday, June 17, 2025, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) Members of the Florida Panthers hockey team celebrate with fans outside the Elbo Room, Wednesday, June 18, 2025, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., the morning after defeating Edmonton in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final. (Amy Beth Bennett/South Florida Sun-Sentinel via AP) Florida Panthers left wing Matthew Tkachuk pours beer into the Stanley Cup at the Elbo Room at the Elbo Room, Wednesday, June 18, 2025, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., the morning after defeating Edmonton in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun-Sentinel via AP) Florida Panthers left wing Matthew Tkachuk, front. and defenseman Gustav Forsling pour beer from the Stanley Cup onto fans at the Elbo Room, Wednesday, June 18, 2025, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., the morning after defeating Edmonton in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun-Sentinel via AP) The 4 Nations Face-Off in February was meant to provide a taste of international competition a year before the Winter Olympics because it had been nearly a decade since the NHL's top players were able to represent their countries in the same tournament. Instead, the pace and quality of games captivated sellout crowds, with millions tuning in to watch. In the immediate aftermath of his team beating the U.S. i n the final in overtime, Canada general manager Doug Armstrong met up with American counterpart Bill Guerin in the hallway, shook hands and had a message that was bigger than one game. Advertisement 'He said it best: Hockey was the big winner,' Guerin recalled. 'Obviously Canada won that championship, but the sport of hockey, the game, was the big winner.' Hockey is seeing a surge in popularity and buzz, fed by the 4 Nations tournament, Alex Ovechkin's stirring run to the NHL career goals record and the Florida Panthers repeating as Stanley Cup champions to set up a threepeat bid next season. Up next are the draft and free agency, with Mitch Marner and playoff MVP Sam Bennett among the top players available, and anticipation is building for the NHL's return to the Olympics for the first time since 2014. 'For all of us, I think we're just really proud of being a part of this bigger picture and growing the game and getting it more on the forefront,' Guerin said. 'The game's never been in a better spot.' 4 Nations success Advertisement The NHL and NHLPA wanted to stage a World Cup but plans were pushed back until this year with a pared-down version involving the U.S., Canada, Sweden and Finland. Commissioner Gary Bettman referred to it as an appetizer, and no one knew exactly what to expect. 'We all went in hoping it was going to be a great event,' Armstrong said, 'and it ended up being better than anyone could have expected.' Canada's star-studded power play of Connor McDavid, Sidney Crosby, Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar and Sam Reinhart connecting on a tic-tac-toe passing goal less than a minute into the opening game against Sweden served notice that the play would be at the highest level. The U.S. and Canada had three fights in the first nine seconds, and geopolitical cross-border tensions with crowds booing anthems and more put the 4 Nations in an unexpected spotlight. Fans were riveted. Advertisement The final became one of the hottest tickets in Boston sports history, and more than 9 million watched in the U.S. and nearly 11 million in Canada. Not bad for a tournament that never happened before and may never happen again. The GR8 chase Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals took center stage as he chased down Wayne Gretzky's record of 894 goals, a feat that had long seemed unapproachable. Despite missing more than a month earlier in the season because of a broken left leg, he was in striking distance by late March. Still scoring at an absurd pace at 39 years old, Ovechkin went on a tear and tied the mark at home on a Friday night that became a celebration of his career. Two days later, he got No. 895 in New York against the Islanders, with Gretzky, Bettman, his mother, wife, children and more there to congratulate him. Advertisement '(It is) the biggest accomplishment that the world of hockey has seen a very long time,' longtime teammate T.J. Oshie said. 'This record is going to be here for a while.' Ovechkin, now at 897 goals, is set to play his 21st NHL season and add to his total. Panthers repeat Florida had the 11th-most points out of the 16 teams that reached the playoffs and started each round on the road. Didn't matter. The Panthers got through Tampa Bay in five games, Toronto in seven and Carolina in six to reach the final for a third consecutive year. They then beat McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers again, this time in six to go back to back. Advertisement 'Everybody wrote us off from the start of the playoffs,' veteran winger Brad Marchand said after becoming a two-time champion. 'They had everybody beating us in every round. We just had that fire. We knew we had something special.' Matthew Tkachuk, whose arrival in the summer of 2022 along with coach Paul Maurice coincided with Florida becoming an NHL powerhouse, went as far as to use the 'D' word. 'We've got to be dynasty now,' Tkachuk said. "Three years in a row finals, two championships. This is a special group.' Retired goaltender Cory Schneider called the Panthers 'one of the best teams I think I've seen in my lifetime.' Advertisement 'They're the epitome of depth, skill, structure,' said Schneider, who worked the final as an NHL Network analyst. 'A lot of teams have good players. but it takes the attention to detail and the sacrifice to do it all the time. Teams want to play easy hockey sometimes and get their chances, but Florida does that while also committing to playing a complete brand of team hockey.' BetMGM Sportsbook lists the Oilers as a slight favorite to win next season's championship over the Panthers. The NHL hasn't had a three-peat since the New York Islanders won four in a row from 1980-83. Draft and free agency The league is having its first in-person, de-centralized draft in Los Angeles on June 27-28. The New York Islanders after winning the draft lottery have the first pick, and new general manager Mathieu Darche could pick defenseman Matthew Schaefer, an inspirational story off the ice. Advertisement With the salary cap getting the first of several big jumps thanks to record attendance and revenue (increases to $95.5 million this summer), player movement could be fast and furious. Free agency opens July 1, and teams in markets from New York and Toronto to Los Angeles, Anaheim and Utah have cap space to use. Milan-Cortina Olympics The 12 countries taking part — Russia is banned — have already unveiled the first six players on their Olympic rosters. The International Ice Hockey Federation has released the schedule of games, with the men's tournament starting Feb. 11, 'When you're growing up when you're watching as a kid, it's Stanley Cup finals and it's Team Canada,' said Reinhart, who scored four goals in Florida's Cup-clinching game the day after getting named to Canada's roster. "Those are the two things that you dream about playing for. To have that opportunity is pretty exciting.' Advertisement The NHL went to five consecutive Games from 1998-2014, then skipped 2018 and pulled out in 2022, leaving teams those years without any active league players. Milan-Cortina will be the first Olympics for players like McDavid, MacKinnon, Auston Matthews and Jack Eichel. 'Getting another opportunity to bring generations that have a Sidney Crosby and a Connor McDavid together to play internationally, it's just great for the fans and great for hockey,' Armstrong said. 'Players are so excited to be part of this. ... It's neck and neck with the Stanley Cup right now of wanting to win that event.' Tkachuk was named to the U.S. team along with brother Brady. With the two becoming household names for new fans after the fight-filled 4 Nations, it feels a little like hockey is in its Tkachuk era. Italy is the next stop on their journey. '4 Nations was good, and hopefully Olympics will be great, as well,' said Matthew after becoming a two-time Cup champion. 'I feel I've been the luckiest guy in hockey.' ___ AP NHL:
National Post
10 hours ago
- Sport
- National Post
Florida Panthers' Stanley Cup damage just the latest mishap in the trophy's storied history
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Florida Panthers Matthew Tkachuk, front. and Gustav Forsling pour beer from the Stanley Cup onto fans at the Elbo Room, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., the morning after defeating Edmonton in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final. The Cup was damaged the night before. Photo by Joe Cavaretta / AP Some hockey fans are understandably bent out of shape over the Florida Panthers damaging the Stanley Cup this week, but the coveted trophy has been through worse. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS Enjoy the latest local, national and international news. Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events. Unlimited online access to National Post. National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE FOR MORE ARTICLES Enjoy the latest local, national and international news. Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events. Unlimited online access to National Post. National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors It's been sunk to the bottom of a swimming pool. It's been used in the baptism of several infants and at least one baby has pooped in it. It's even been dropped — or maybe it was tossed — from a second-storey balcony overlooking a rock star's whiskey-shaped pool. 'It happens every year, the bowl gets damaged — basically it gets 'out of round' if you know what I mean,' Cup keeper Phil Pritchard told a Washington Capitals blogger in 2018. Get a dash of perspective along with the trending news of the day in a very readable format. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again 'It is nobody's fault; it just happens every year. It has become part of the lore of sports' greatest trophy.' The Stanley Cup has once again sustained some damage from the recipients. 🤕 (📸: Peter Joneleit/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) — TSN (@TSN_Sports) June 18, 2025 Here are just a small handful of the known stories about what the silver and nickel trophy has endured through its 131 years. At some point after knocking off the Edmonton Oilers in Game 6 on Tuesday night, the Panthers managed to crack the trophy's bowl and dent the base before even leaving the arena, as evidenced by photos being circulated on Wednesday. A spokesperson for the Hockey Hall of Fame told the Associated Press it will be repaired in time for Sunday's victory parade in Sunrise, Fla. It wouldn't be the first time the Cup has been damaged almost immediately after it was awarded. As the Colorado Avalanche gathered on the ice for a team photo to celebrate their 2022 championship, Nicholas Aube-Kubel stumbled and dropped the Cup as he skated into the dogpile, leaving a noticeable dent on the base. This advertisement has not loaded yet. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Just a year before, the Tampa Bay Lightning damaged it at some point prior to or during a boat parade to celebrate a second-straight title. Because the Stanley Cup spends 24 hours with each player and staff member of the winning team, how the damage occurred is usually a mystery or the stuff of anecdotal legend. But while visiting St. John's with the Boston Bruins' Michael Ryder in the summer of 2011, cameras captured the trophy taking a tumble from a table. Three years earlier, a few days after the Detroit Red Wings claimed the Cup, it was dented after falling off a table at the restaurant owned by defenceman Chris Chelios. The Panthers were the last team to take the hockey's holy grail swimming when they took it to Fort Lauderdale Beach after last year's defeat of the Oilers in the final. At points during their revelry, players hoisting the Cup were diving into waves. Pritchard, in an email to the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, expressed concern about possible erosion but said they 'managed to clean it as good as possible and dry it off.' Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk later admitted it wasn't ideal. 'I think somebody said that's not technically allowed, but I said it was too late,' Tkachuk said Thursday. 'It already happened.' Other famous dips include the time it ended up at the bottom of Mario Lemieux's pool following their 1991 win, tossed there from a 20-foot high waterfall by defenceman Phil Bourque. 'We had to dive in,' Bryan Trottier recounted on the Spittin' Chiclets podcast in 2022, 'Troy Loney and I dive and get the Cup out of the Pool. It was very tarnished the next day.' The most famous pool story occurred eight years later as the Dallas Stars celebrated the organization's first championship. While partying at the home of Pantera drummer Vinnie Paul, the Stars celebrity superfan said Guy Carboneau tossed the Cup to teammate Craig Ludwig from a balcony above his pool — that was shaped like a bottle of Crown Royal whisky — only for it to hit the pool deck and fall in the chlorinated water. Carboneau disputed that version of events in a 2022 interview with D Magazine in Texas, saying it was an accident as he tried to hand it off to Ludwig. 'If I really wanted to throw the Cup, I would have thrown the Cup. But that was not my intention.' Ludwig, who admitted in the same article that they were all fairly drunk by this point, couldn't be sure what happened. The first known and reported instance of an infant being baptized in Lord Stanley's Cup came in 1996 when the Avalanche's Sylvain Lefebvre used it for his daughter's He was followed in 2008 by the Red Wings' Tomas Holmstrom, whose niece was welcomed into the Christian faith in the bowl from which countless beers and bottles of champagne have been slurped. The Pittsburgh Penguins' Josh Archibald had his three-week-old baptized in 2017, and the Avalanche's Jack Johnson used it for all three of his kids on his day with the trophy in 2022. In 2008, Kris Draper admitted to the Toronto Star that his newborn daughter 'pooped in the Cup.' 'That was something. We had a pretty good laugh,' said Draper, who cleaned it out and 'still drank out of it that night.'
