Stanley Cup with Logan Stankoven's name stenciled permanently into NHL history/via Jon Keen
It wasn’t his first, or last, stop with hockey’s greatest prize.
But it was certainly the most well-attended event on Logan Stankoven’s itinerary through a mid-August afternoon.
Thousands would pack Riverside Park’s Bandshell area, and well beyond that, on Sunday to catch a glimpse of Kamloops NHL product Logan Stankoven bringing the Stanley Cup to the community which helped foster his career.
The event itself would go off without any major issues or concerns, with fans asked to keep things respectful for the family-style event put on by the City of Kamloops and coordinated by a committee which included the Stankoven family.
Logan Stankoven’s time with the Cup on Sunday didn’t quite work out as had been originally planned.
Logan Stankoven with sister Macie and father Wes/via Deana Stankoven
The arrival of the Cup itself required a late-night logistical adjustment due to travel issues back east.
“The cup was delayed getting out of Toronto a bit, so my dad was nice enough to go out there and pick it up in Kelowna and drive it back,” Stankoven explained. “He got in around 3, 3:30 in the morning, so just happy to have it here.”
The public celebration at the Rotary Bandshell drew an estimated 7,000 fans.
“It was probably one of the most special moments for me,” said the 23-year old “Just very thankful to have everyone come out and very grateful for the city being able to put this on.”
Logan Stankoven and little sister Macie at St. Anne’s Academy/via St. Anne’s Academy
Stankoven’s time with the Stanley Cup also included a stop over in St. Anne’s Academy, where he and his sister Macie both attended school as youngsters.
He would also tote the NHL’s ultimate prize into Royal Inland Hospital to meet with staff and patients there.
Stankoven says the opportunity to give back to the greater Kamloops community is fulfilling, but admits to be able to share the Cup with young hockey players in the city was extra special to him.
“For them to see the Cup here, a local Kamloops kid make it to the NHL, I think it goes to show that anyone can get there if you put your mind to it,” he stated.
Radio NL’s Jon Keen MCing the Sunday event with Logan Stankoven at Riverside Park/via Chace Johnson on Facebook
The afternoon event at Riverside — MC’ed by the voice of the Kamloops Blazers, Radio NL’s Jon Keen — would include some of the 23-year old’s thoughts on the Stanley Cup victory with the Hurricanes, his junior hockey career spent in Kamloops, as well as what his expectations and hopes are for the future.
The jam-packed Sunday and the overwhelming number of people who turned out at Riverside Park was not lost on Stankoven’s parents, Wes and Deana, either.
“We’ve had so much support, and people are always reaching out and messaging us and phoning us and just following Logan’s journey,” Wes Stankoven said. “We really appreciate all the support.”
Deana Stankoven calling it an incredible experience for the entire family.
“He’s tasted it now,” she said. “He wants it again and again.”
For Stankoven, the day served as the realization of a lifelong goal.
“It’s everything I ever imagined and better,” he concluded. “It’s what I’ve dreamed of as a kid and I think with this being my first time, hopefully not my last.”
–With files from Jon Keen
