Stanley Cup Tours The Globe With Back-To-Back Champion Penguins
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- For the second straight summer, the Pittsburgh Penguins are partying with the Stanley Cup.
The back-to-back champions are each taking their turn with hockey's most coveted prize.
It's already been to California with defenseman Chad Ruhwedel, who spent the day with it in his hometown of San Diego last month.
Chad Ruhwedel enjoys some time down in San Diego with the #stanleycup. The player tour is on its way.@penguins @NHL @HockeyHallFame pic.twitter.com/4XyH89oikP
— Philip Pritchard (@keeperofthecup) June 30, 2017
The Cup then returned to Pittsburgh, where over the weekend, it spent the day at PPG Paints Arena with season ticket holders.
Lots of season ticket holders waiting patiently for a photo with the #stanleycup with the @penguins again today. @NHL @HockeyHallFame pic.twitter.com/vObOgf7dHL
— Philip Pritchard (@keeperofthecup) July 8, 2017
On Monday, it was Chris Kunitz's turn. The four-time champion recently left the Pens through free agency to sign with the Tampa Bay Lightning.
The Keeper of the Cup, Philip Pritchard, tweeted this photo of Kunitz and his children starting the morning off right with a little milk and cereal out of the trophy.
Chris Kunitz and his kids begin their day with the Cup...AGAIN! 4 x's a charm! (Pittsburgh,PA) #stanleycup @penguins @NHL @HockeyHallFame pic.twitter.com/ZcCEs6vQxy
— Philip Pritchard (@keeperofthecup) July 10, 2017
On June 12, Assistant General Manager Bill Guerin spent his day with the Cup! A photo posted by the Keeper of the Cup shows Guerin and his family enjoying the day at the 911th Airlift Wing.
Billy Guerin and his family bring the #stanleycup to say thanks at #Pittsburgh911thairliftwing @penguins @NHL @HockeyHallFame pic.twitter.com/aFqyBvyj2H
— Philip Pritchard (@keeperofthecup) July 12, 2017
Here's another one of Guerin standing, well, on top of the world!
Flying high in Pittsburgh. Bill Guerin hoists the #stanleycup on top of a C130#Pittsburgh911thairliftwing @NHL @penguins @HockeyHallFame pic.twitter.com/uxwUNr4q7C
— Philip Pritchard (@keeperofthecup) July 12, 2017
Then, Guerin and the Stanley Cup did a little grocery shopping...
Bill Guerin found this in the reduced section! It's been there for over a year! (Sewlickey, PA) #stanleycup @penguins @NHL @HockeyHallFame pic.twitter.com/9OPKPF38gA
— Philip Pritchard (@keeperofthecup) July 12, 2017
After spending some time back in Pittsburgh, the Stanley Cup then headed to Minnesota for Jake Guentzel's day on July 13. At the victory parade, Guentzel famously said he was taking it back to his hometown.
Here he is in front of his hometown fans.
#stanleycup arrives in MN & a proud community salutes the Wonder of Woodbury: Jake Guentzel (Woodbury, MN) @penguins @NHL @HockeyHallFame pic.twitter.com/fTOPK6pJa7
— Philip Pritchard (@keeperofthecup) July 13, 2017
Then, he hit the links:
Jake can handle a golf club too! (Woodbury, MN) #stanleycup @penguins @NHL @HockeyHallFame pic.twitter.com/ud4g9n0Epj
— Philip Pritchard (@keeperofthecup) July 13, 2017
Guentzel took to Twitter to thank everyone for making the day special.
What a day #Stanley thanks to everyone who made it special
— Jake Guentzel (@jakenbake20) July 14, 2017
Justin Schultz began his day with the Cup on July 15 with a trip to visit children in a local hospital in Kelowna, Canada.
A noble way to start his #stanleycup day. Justin Schultz visits children at the local hospital.(Kelowna, BC) @penguins @NHL @HockeyHallFame pic.twitter.com/TKrkYxog6N
— Philip Pritchard (@keeperofthecup) July 15, 2017
Schultz continued his day with a trip to a vineyard and Lake Okanagan, and he had a small party with family and friends.
Carter Rowney received a hero's welcome in his hometown of Sexsmith, Alberta in Canada on Sunday.
Carter Rowney receives a hero's welcome in his hometown. (Sexsmith, AB) #stanleycup @penguins @NHL @HockeyHallFame pic.twitter.com/IB0MwKWR5X
— Philip Pritchard (@keeperofthecup) July 16, 2017
On July 19, defenseman Trevor Daley marked his day with the Stanley Cup.
Not every family photo includes the #stanleycup! @penguins Trevor Daley and his family pose for a family photo. @NHL @HockeyHallFame pic.twitter.com/CPSosJL1dP
— Philip Pritchard (@keeperofthecup) July 20, 2017
Scott Wilson spent his day with Cup on Lake Ontario on July 20.
Scott Wilson and his girlfriend pose on the shores of Lake Ontario with the #stanleycup @NHL @HockeyHallFame @penguins pic.twitter.com/F5BptOEk7x
— Philip Pritchard (@keeperofthecup) July 20, 2017
Marc-André Fleury started his day with the Cup at the Ronald McDonald House in Montréal on July 22.
Marc-André Fleury begins his day at the Ronald McDonald House (Montréal, QC) #stanleycup @penguins @NHL @HockeyHallFame pic.twitter.com/QTDdvWpWc3
— Philip Pritchard (@keeperofthecup) July 22, 2017
Another photo tweeted by Philip Pritchard, the Keeper of the Cup, showed the Stanley Cup strapped in to the back seat of Fleury's car as he stopped for gas. Fleury later celebrated his daughter Scarlett's 2nd birthday.
Kris Letang took the Stanley Cup to a Montréal children's hospital on July 23.
Good morning, kids! Kris Letang visits youngsters at a local children's hospital (Montréal, QC) #stanleycup @penguins @NHL @HockeyHallFame pic.twitter.com/8tXJCMlmjq
— Philip Pritchard (@keeperofthecup) July 23, 2017
Letang later played in a charity game to raise $50,000 for a children's hospital.
After the trip to Canada, the Cup headed overseas where it visited Evgeni Malkin and Sergei Gonchar in Russia.
Penguins Assistant Coach Sergei Gonchar and his family welcome the #StanleyCup to Russia. @penguins @NHL @HockeyHallFame pic.twitter.com/wFIusjPCLx
— Philip Pritchard (@keeperofthecup) July 27, 2017
Malkin seems to have taken the Cup to a soccer field.
PFC CSKA Moscow. Maybe Evgeni Malkin would be a better professional soccer player?...Nah! #stanleycup @penguins @NHL @HockeyHallFame pic.twitter.com/mqLCangmd5
— Philip Pritchard (@keeperofthecup) July 28, 2017
And here they are together:
From Russia with love. pic.twitter.com/X0lCnMCDaA
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) July 27, 2017
After visiting Russia, the Stanley Cup headed over to Germany for a day with forward Tom Kuhnhackl.
What an exciting day in Germany it was for @Tkuhn14 with the Stanley Cup! ????: Georg Gerleigner pic.twitter.com/dAKCT0xJvE
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) July 28, 2017
The next stop was the North of Finland for a day with Olli Maatta.
Visiting Finland with the #stanleyCup, includes a Lake House and a sauna. Olli Maatta enjoys his day. @nhl @HockeyHallFame @penguins pic.twitter.com/8QVhAHQ8DE
— Philip Pritchard (@keeperofthecup) July 31, 2017
After Finland, the Cup headed next door to Sweden to visit with Patric Hornqvist and Carl Hagelin. Check out this photo Hagelin posted to Instagram:
Here's Hornqvist with some former teammates:
Special night for Patrick Hornqvist. Hanging out with former teammates while being honoured. #stanleycup @nhl @HockeyHallFame @penguins pic.twitter.com/qreTMl1CvP
— Philip Pritchard (@keeperofthecup) August 1, 2017
And Hagelin celebrating with his hometown:
A warm welcome in the hometown of @CarlHagelin. 2nd #StanleyCup in as many years. Congratulations! @NHL @penguins @HockeyHallFame pic.twitter.com/5wGe5COMmt
— Philip Pritchard (@keeperofthecup) August 2, 2017
The Cup then continued its European journey with a visit to Switzerland to spend the day with defenseman Mark Streit. Here he is celebrating the day in Bern:
Switzerland welcomes Mark Streit back to Bern with the #stanleycup @NHL @HockeyHallFame @penguins pic.twitter.com/Z21wn1bdDW
— Philip Pritchard (@keeperofthecup) August 3, 2017
The Cup crossed back over to our side of the Atlantic as Sidney Crosby brought it back to Nova Scotia. One of his first stops on Sunday, Aug. 6, was to a veteran's retirement home in Halifax.
Sid visits a Veteran's Retirement home (Halifax, NS) #stanleycup @penguins @NHL @HockeyHallFame pic.twitter.com/yiyeW8i8Xw
— Philip Pritchard (@keeperofthecup) August 6, 2017
Next, he surprised some patients at a children's hospital.
Everyone loves the #StanleyCup! Sid surprises kids at a local children's hospital. (Halifax, NS) @penguins @NHL @HockeyHallFame pic.twitter.com/sCStH5QwNs
— Philip Pritchard (@keeperofthecup) August 6, 2017
And click here for more of Crosby's 30th birthday celebration.
Time for another parade. Sidney Crosby starts off the #halifaxnatalparade #stanleycup @HockeyHallFame @NHL @penguins pic.twitter.com/lRMzIBVwQQ
— Philip Pritchard (@keeperofthecup) August 7, 2017
Matt Murray posted some photos of what appears to be a photoshoot with his dog and the Stanley Cup on Aug. 13.
Great day making memories with friends and family. ???? pic.twitter.com/TM7Q1kl6YY
— Matt Murray (@mattmurray_30) August 13, 2017
Phil Kessel used the Stanley Cup as his own personal hot dog dish at a golf course on Aug. 14.
It's August 14th and two-time Stanley Cup Champion Phil Kessel is eating hot dogs out of the Stanley Cup. pic.twitter.com/39FAF1MPjH
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) August 14, 2017
Next, the Cup went to Michigan, where Ian Cole hosed it down so it was nice and clean for its next stop on the tour.
Ian Cole is just making sure the #stanleycup is nice and clean prior to his next stop on his tour. @NHL @HockeyHallFame @penguins pic.twitter.com/GVBNgnncKA
— Philip Pritchard (@keeperofthecup) August 15, 2017
Brian Dumoulin paid a visit to Bunker Hill on his day with the Cup.
Brian Dumoulin visits Bunker Hill as part if his #stanleycup day with the @penguins @NHL @HockeyHallFame pic.twitter.com/1mJg3IKaJV
— Philip Pritchard (@keeperofthecup) August 18, 2017
Nick Bonino took the Cup to his alma mater, Avon Old Farms, on Aug. 20, then had some of his mom's homecooked spaghetti -- eaten straight out of the Cup, of course.
When you have an Italian background...spaghetti is a must! Nick Bonino enjoys Moms homecooking. #stanleycup @HockeyHallFame @NHL @penguins pic.twitter.com/zgBVy9AShr
— Philip Pritchard (@keeperofthecup) August 20, 2017
After waiting a very long time just to play in a playoff game, defenseman Ron Hainsey got to spend his special day with Stanley Cup on Aug. 21. Also the day of the Solar Eclipse, Hainsey took the Cup golfing.
Ron Hainesy shares a moment with his 3ft high silver caddy. #stanleycup @HockeyHallFame @NHL @penguins pic.twitter.com/Irc4JDAlsW
— Philip Pritchard (@keeperofthecup) August 21, 2017
Conor Sheary also spent his day with the Cup, Aug. 29, on the golf course.
The #stanleycup gets to play a lot of golf over the summer. Today with Conor Sheary at Ipswich Country Club. @penguins @NHL @HockeyHallFame pic.twitter.com/yOxYbseOXA
— Philip Pritchard (@keeperofthecup) August 29, 2017
Josh Archibald was up next. He took the Cup to Minneapolis.
Time to go! Josh Archibald begins his day. (Minneapolis, MN) #stanleycup @penguins @NHL @HockeyHallFame pic.twitter.com/vregxtsbyG
— Philip Pritchard (@keeperofthecup) August 30, 2017
The day will be a memorable one for Archibald and his family, not just because they got to spend the day with Stanley Cup, but because his newborn son was baptized in it. These photos posted to Twitter from the Keeper of the Cup show 3-week-old Brecken Archibald being christened in hockey's holy grail.
Three-week-old Brecken Archibald gets baptized out of hockey's Holy Grail (Brainerd, MN) #stanleycup @penguins @NHL @HockeyHallFame pic.twitter.com/kE6EewxDi6
— Philip Pritchard (@keeperofthecup) August 30, 2017
After waking up his son Joey with an early morning surprise, Matt Cullen took the Cup to a North Dakota hospital and spent some time with young patients there.
Matt Cullen brightens the day for many children at a local hospital. (W. Fargo, ND) #stanleycup @penguins @NHL @HockeyHallFame @CullysKids pic.twitter.com/mdnaAAJge2
— Philip Pritchard (@keeperofthecup) August 31, 2017
General Manager Jim Rutherford got to spend his day with the Stanley Cup on Sept. 3. He enjoyed a special cake to go along with his special day.
What's a #stanleycup party without a cake? Jim Rutherford is enjoying his day with the cup. @penguins @HockeyHallFame @NHL pic.twitter.com/IMpHfRZA5N
— Philip Pritchard (@keeperofthecup) September 4, 2017
After touring the globe, the Cup ended up back in Pittsburgh on Sept. 4.
Always great to be back in Pittsburgh...escort in effect for Lord Stanley and friends #stanleycup @penguins @NHL @HockeyHallFame pic.twitter.com/z3l2WIDMMn
— Philip Pritchard (@keeperofthecup) September 4, 2017
Penguins President David Morehouse threw an event in his hometown of Beechview on Labor Day. Residents were able to snap photos with the Cup.
Later in the day, Morehouse and his kids made an ice cream sundae and ate it straight out of the Cup.
David Morehouse & family are preparing a championship chocolate sundae to enjoy out of the #stanleycup @NHL @penguins @HockeyHallFame pic.twitter.com/djCZoA33i7
— Philip Pritchard (@keeperofthecup) September 5, 2017
On Sept. 7, with much of the team returning to town for the new season, Bryan Rust got to spend his day with the Cup. His dog Cooper seemed to be enjoying himself.
Cooper Rust figures it is his turn to drink out of the #stanleycup. Afterall his Dad has won it twice. @penguins @NHL @HockeyHallFame pic.twitter.com/5o6ELxgCmU
— Philip Pritchard (@keeperofthecup) September 7, 2017
Rust also helped to raise funds for local charity, Forever Home Beagle Rescue.
Patients at Children's Hospital got a chance to have their picture taken with Jake Guentzel, Bryan Rust, Brian Dumoulin, and the Stanley Cup on Sept. 11. (WATCH)
There are some special guests at Children's Hospital this afternoon. ?? pic.twitter.com/ALMKdho7Cs
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) September 11, 2017
Stay with KDKA to follow the Stanley Cup's summer travels.
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