Kamloops showed up, Stankoven delivered on dream day with Stanley Cup

“It’s joyous, very special and very humbling just to see everyone out here supporting me and sharing this special day with me,” Stankoven said. “I hope it’s a memory they can look back on and it’s definitely something I’ll remember for the rest of my life.”

After a tribute video, guest speakers – Tim O’Donovan (Kamloops Blazers’ Assistant General Manager), Crosby Dorais (Brock Hockey Academy), Tim Preston (spring coach), Stu Middleton (Hockey Gives Blood), Matt Kolle (Ice Pirates) and Kevin Brechin (trainer) – raved about Stankoven.

“This guy’s earned it every step of the way,” Kolle said.

Kamloops Blazers’ play-by-play man Jon Keen conducted a live interview with the 5-foot-8 dynamo and borrowed a question from a young fan, eight-year-old Kasen Jurista: “What was it like to win the Stanley Cup before Connor McDavid?”

The youthful bulldog of a journalist Jurista sat in front of the stage and beamed while the crowd erupted, the pause giving Stankoven time to smile and craft his answer.

“I’m not even close to the same level as McDavid,” Stankoven said before noting his Hurricanes put together a total team performance in the playoffs.

Daniella Falsetta, Stankoven’s girlfriend, admired his poise with fans.

“It hasn’t been too crazy,” Falsetta said. “He handles it pretty well. At the end of the day, he’s just Logan and he acts that way, too, super humble. I’m excited to experience this all with him. It’s been surreal.”

The children were in a demanding mood, the most rabid leading an impromptu chant when their patience began to run thin: “Lift the Cup! Lift the Cup!”

Stankoven indulged the masses, hoisting it high.

“When he won the Cup, I was proud,” one little boy told CFJC.

Added 11-year-old Kai: “It’s very cool, happy and emotional. He just feels love from the town. [It inspires you] to work harder and chase your dreams.”

Sahara, 11, was among the lucky ticket holders who got on stage for a photo with Stankoven and the Cup.

“It’s very nice to be right next to it and see it in person,” she said. “If you want something, you can not give up and eventually get it.”

Earlier Sunday, Stankoven made several stops with the precious hardware, including at Royal Inland Hospital, where he met with Scott Sinclair, who has Stage 4 colon cancer.

Sinclair told CFJC on Monday [Aug. 17] the moment was deeply meaningful.

“Yesterday was basically a dream come true,” Sinclair said, noting Stankoven spoke to his wife Catrina, daughter Zoey and son Nixon. “To be able to actually hold the Stanley Cup when I never thought I’d be able to do that in my life, it speaks to the character of Stankoven’s family.”

The Cup also made appearances at the Sports Legacy Fund High Performance Centre, St. Ann’s Academy, Sandman Centre, Duffy’s Pub and Earls restaurant.

“I try and be a good role model,” Stankoven said. “For them to see a local Kamloops kid make it to the NHL, it goes to show that anyone can get there if you put your mind to it, dedicate yourself to the game and have fun with it. That’s my message.”

The former Kamloops Blazers’ captain – a key cog for the Hurricanes on their Cup run – is the first player from the River City to win the Cup since Mark Recchi accomplished the feat in 2011.

Wes Stankoven, Logan’s father, was forced to drive to fetch the famous trophy in Kelowna in the wee hours of Sunday morning when its scheduled Saturday evening arrival from Toronto was delayed.

The Hurricanes’ forward was hoping lost time would be taken into consideration on Sunday night, when the Cup – which has an 11 p.m. curfew – made its final stop in Kamloops at the Shark Club.

“I think we’ll try and test it, for sure,” Stankoven said with a laugh on Sunday evening. “With my dad driving to Kelowna (and returning to Kamloops with the Cup at about 3 a.m. on Sunday), I think maybe they could give us an extra hour.”

Video has surfaced of Stankoven standing atop the Shark Club bar while pouring drinks from the Cup, doing his best to make sure everyone gets a taste.

“I just wanted to show my appreciation, and the people of Kamloops sure did today,” Stankoven said. “It’s everything I imagined and better.”

by Marty Hastings

Kamloops showed up, Stankoven delivered on dream day with Stanley Cup

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