The Defenseman and I were fortunate to attend last night’s season opener for the Stanley Cup champions, Carolina Hurricanes against NHL East rivals Florida Panthers.
The game itself was trash. Both teams were rusty and sloppy, tape to jape.
The visitors winning about as deep in overtime as possible. 1-0. The game had a handful more SHOTS on goal as the Defensemen had goals in his last game. Bussi had a great game, but outcome was lame.
We also ran into the kid from the Jumbotron with the Jarvy Harvard Swampshirt.
Ms Stanley Cup
It was delightful to see the boy share his hand crafted Stanley Cup. Everyone was extremely stoked.
Coach Brind’Amour
Early in the procession, Coach Rod Brind’Amour, who last won the Stanley Cup as the Captain of the Hurricanes 20 years ago, came down Morgan Street.
Mr. Brind’Amour seemed to approve of the boy’s craftsmanship:
Coach spots the craftsmanship
Imagine for a moment you’re a young hockey player, and your favorite team, the one that trains where you practice and compete, wins the Stanley Cup…
Coach Brind’Amour points at the craftsmanship
…you make a Stanley Cup for the parade with your mom, take the bus downtown to catch the parade, sit in the summer sun for a couple hours, whisk your cup in front of all the people who showed up after you did…
Coach Brind’Amour shouts approval to the young hockey player holding his hand-made cup
…and the first man in generations to win the Cup as a coach for the same team he won the Cup he played for, and the only player-coach alive, that coach spots you and your cup.
Amazing experience.
The truly charismatic personality makes an effort to connect with as many people around them as possible.
Coach Brind’Amour pointing at you, the viewerCoach Rod Brind’Amour, pointing at you
Having a local sports legend, one who emphasizes hard work, is a blessing for parents with young athletes.
Following Coach Brind’Amour was a cavalcade of charisma.
Bus #1
The first bus had Bussi, Deslauriers, Svech, Carrier, Nikishin, Jankowski, and Kochetkov.
Bus #1
Deslauriers seems to appreciate the craftsmanship before him.
Bus #1
As Bus #1 turned down Fayetteville St. with its precious cargo, Bus #2, with Blake, Gostisbehere, Walker, Robinson, and Reilly took a left on Morgan St. from Salisbury St.
Bus #2
You can tell that the town loves the team and the team loves the town.
Bus #3 was a crowd favorite, with Ehlers, Anderson, Chatfield, Miller, Jarvis, Stankoven, and Kotkaniemi. It also carried the Prince of Wales Cup.
Two years ago, when my son started playing hockey, we met Jalen Chatfield. We told Mr. Chatfield that the boy started playing left defense, and asked if he had any advise. His response: ‘Don’t be afraid to get physical.’
I digress, here is Mr. Chatfield pointing at that kid and his cup.
I saw the Canes get swept and watched the Prince of Wales Cup presented to the Penguins in 2009. Witnessed Florida taking that prize again game five of the ECF 2025.
The Prince of Wales Cup looks different meandering past the Capitol.
Well done penultimate bus.
At long last, the real Stanley Cup peered past the magnolias and oaks, with Hall, Slavin, Staal, Aho, and Martinook.
When it first arrived, Taylor Hall wielded it, but he handed it to #74.
Bus #4, with the Stanley Cup hoisted by Taylor HallBus #4Bus #4Bus #4
Slavin wielded it with authority.
Bus #4 takes a right on Fayetteville while we begin to process what just happened with smiles on our faces
With NHL hockey returning in 19 days, let us continue to reflect on the last season. It is a wonderful thing to have the beautiful distraction of professional hockey back, but its worth looking back at the scenes earlier this summer.
Let us continue where we left off, with the homemade Stanley Cup and its journey through the neighborhood.
We’ll share the pictures of the champions, and other scenes from the parade, but tonight, we share photos of friends taking swigs from the boy’s homemade Cup.
Folks from the City Oaks may recognize our spot. We posted upon the North Carolina state capitol, south side. This spot, nestled a few feet above the street, afforded us a great view as the parade route turned from Hillsboro to Salisbury to Morgan to Fayetteville.
A warm day, when the sun passed over the oaks around the capitol, it was nice to have a large homemade chalice to quench one’s thirst.
Young champions joined us and drank from the Cup.
The Cup found its way to other Bob Spazianos
We’ll make our way back to the parade shortly.
In the meantime, may you enjoy a chalice of victory.
Ok, there are 27 days until the NHL season is to resume.
My preferred team, the Carolina Hurricanes prevailed in the 2025-2026 season and brought the Stanley Cup to my town, the City of Oaks.
Earlier this summer, my family and I went to the parade. I took a ton of photographs. Some of them quite delightful.
In the coming weeks, I’ll be doling these images out. Stick around, you’ll see some smiles and legends. If you love Raleigh or the Canes or the other finer things in life, I think you’ll enjoy yourself.
For now, a prelude. My kid, #15, an up-and-coming defender in the Canes House League made his own Stanley Cup replica to take the parade.
While his mom took him to the hardware store, the kid did a fine job. Taking an empty paint gallon, some PVC, and his mom’s mixing bowl, he forged a unique replica.
And a little spray paint later…
…the boy has made a masterpiece.
We’ll be sharing photos of this Cup’s journey as it crosses paths with the Stanley Cup in the coming days. Stay tuned.
