Stanley Cup makes a visit to Southlake hospital

July 15, 2015 · 0 Comments

By Jake Courtpatte

For the second time in three years, Chicago Blackhawks assistant coach Mike Kitchen has brought the most coveted trophy in hockey home to York Region.

Kitchen, a native of Schomberg, was met with some dropped jaws when he stopped by Southlake Regional Health Centre last Wednesday with the Stanley Cup.

“It brings a smile to everyone’s face,” said Kitchen as fans and curious onlookers alike took photos with the trophy. “It’s funny, wherever the Cup is it just opens people right up. It’s a great thing.”

In 2013, Kitchen returned to his hometown of Schomberg to a traditional parade through town, before bringing Lord Stanley’s mug to David’s Room at Southlake. This time around, he took the celebration to Cardinal Golf Club on Keele Street Tuesday night before returning to David’s Room for a tour through the hospital on Wednesday.

“It’s so important for everyone to see it, it can just light up a room in Canada.”

Kitchen was behind the bench last month when his Blackhawks defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Finals, earning his second ring since 2013. He joined the organization in 2010.

“The coaches talked after the second cup, and we agreed that this one was actually a little more challenging,” said Kitchen. “But really, it’s so hard to win the Stanley Cup no matter what. There’s so much parity in today’s league, and to play your heart out for two-and-a-half months to win this prestigious trophy…I mean, the players deserve so much credit.”

After the visit to the hospital, Kitchen took the trophy up north to his cottage to continue the celebrations. He’s hoping to make the event an “annual tradition”, with the Blackhawks organization the closest thing to a dynasty in the NHL in decades, winning three Cups in six seasons.