Students at Arnold H. McLeod school in Moncton were left awestruck as the iconic Stanley Cup made a surprise visit to their classroom. Among them, Lennon Collette, a 10-year-old student, was rendered speechless by the sight of the prestigious trophy, symbolizing 132 years of National Hockey League championship victories.
The visit was part of the lead-up to Scotiabank’s Hockey Day in Canada event scheduled for Jan. 17 in Moncton. The annual celebration showcases a Canadian community on a national platform to honor the sport of hockey.
Howie Borrow, a custodian of the cup, guided the trophy through the school, carefully maneuvering it from one classroom to another while sporting white gloves. The students, including hockey player Cameron Brennan, marveled at the cup’s size and authenticity, as it is the actual trophy presented to NHL champions worldwide, weighing approximately 17 kilograms.
During the visit, Borrow fielded questions from the students, revealing interesting tidbits such as the types of foods champions like Sidney Crosby have eaten out of the cup, including cereal, spaghetti, and even caviar. The excitement among both students and staff was palpable as they seized the opportunity to touch, pose with, and admire the famous trophy.
Lori Ward, a long-time art teacher at the school, expressed her joy at creating lasting memories for the students through the cup’s visit, likening the experience to having a piece of history in her own classroom. Principal Sheila Johnston highlighted the educational value of the visit, noting how it inspired students to work hard and pursue their goals with determination.
For Lennon Collette, the encounter with the Stanley Cup fueled his aspirations of one day lifting the trophy himself as a champion. Reflecting on his father’s advice to work hard and aim for the NHL, Lennon expressed his hope of encountering the cup again in the future, wearing his team’s jersey proudly.