Prince Albert's Josh Manson shows off the Stanley cup as young players and fans get a chance to touch it. (Derek Craddock/paNOW Staff)

By Derek Craddock

STANLEY CUP

Young hockey players from P.A. get once-in-a-lifetime experience with the Stanley Cup

Aug 3, 2022 | 12:00 PM

Thousands of young hockey players had a chance to experience something truly remarkable in front of the Art Hauser Centre

The Stanley Cup made its way to the city with local champion Josh Manson bringing the prized trophy to his hometown.

Manson wanted young hockey players to get a personal experience and see the cup up close, as his way of giving back to Prince Albert Minor Hockey.

“For every hockey player growing up, you want to win the Stanley Cup. You never know if you’re going to attain it, you always hope. To finally do that and live out your dream as a hockey player and be able to share it with your family and the people of the city where you grew up and supported you, it’s special. I can’t put it into words.”

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Thousands lined up to get their shot with the cup as Manson signed autographs with smiles beaming from the faces of the hockey players who received them.

Some players and their parents waiting in line couldn’t wait for their chance to see and touch the Stanley Cup.

“It’s awesome!” said one player with the Knights. “It’s big and shiny,” added his teammate.

“I’m 43 years old, this is the first time I’ve ever seen the Stanley Cup in my life,” said one hockey dad who was just as awestruck as his kids were. “It’s amazing, I actually got to touch it.”

Young P.A. hockey players had a chance to pose with the Stanley Cup on Wednesday. (Derek Craddock/paNOW staff)

Thousands gathered to have a chance to get up close and personal with the Stanley Cup. (Derek Craddock/paNOW Staff)

After the event, Manson reflected on what Prince Albert meant to him as a young hockey player.

“(It’s) the passion that P.A. gave me for the game of hockey. That’s what really carved me out and rooted me in hockey and made me want to have that drive to win the Stanley Cup and make it such a big part of my life.”

One question that was asked was how heavy the Stanley Cup is.

“It’s heavy. It’s light when you’re lifting it up over your head but when you’re holding it, it’s heavy.”

Manson hopes this won’t be the first time he brings the cup back to his hometown. He recently signed a four-year contract to stay with the Colorado Avalanche.

“Now that you get a piece of it, it’s so special and it feels so good and when you lift that over your head; the moment, the emotions and all that stuff, it really just fuels you more to want to win it again. That’ll be the goal going into next year.”

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derek.craddock@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @PA_Craddock