In Moncton, the arrival of the Stanley Cup at Arnold H. McLeod school left Lennon Collette awestruck, while his peers gasped in excitement. The 10-year-old student described the experience as surreal, as he gazed at the iconic trophy with 132 years of history in the National Hockey League.
Arnold H. McLeod, an elementary school catering to children from kindergarten to grade 5, was among four schools in the province chosen to host the Stanley Cup before Scotiabank’s Hockey Day in Canada event scheduled for Jan. 17 in Moncton.
The annual celebration of hockey takes place in different Canadian cities or towns, showcasing the sport and highlighting communities on a national platform. Howie Borrow, one of the cup’s official custodians who accompanies it to special occasions, spent the afternoon maneuvering the trophy through classrooms, donning white gloves with utmost care.
Students like Cameron Brennan, a hockey player for the Lewisville Lightning alongside Collette, shared their amazement at the cup’s size. While a replica of the Stanley Cup is on display at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto, the one touring New Brunswick is the genuine article presented to NHL champions worldwide.
During the visit, Borrow fielded questions from students, including inquiries about the quirky foods champions like Sidney Crosby have eaten from the cup’s bowl after winning the NHL Stanley Cup Final, such as cereal, spaghetti, and caviar.
Both students and staff alike relished the opportunity to interact with the cup, taking photos and touching it. Lori Ward, a longtime teacher at the school, expressed pride in hosting the famous trophy and creating lasting memories for the children.
Principal Sheila Johnston highlighted the educational value of the cup’s visit, emphasizing the importance of perseverance and hard work in achieving goals. For Lennon, the experience brought him closer to his aspiration of one day raising the Stanley Cup as a champion, echoing his father’s advice to work diligently towards making it to the NHL.
