The last - and only - time the Stanley Cup came to Prince George in the hands of a player who earned his name on the trophy was 15 years ago.
Turner Stevenson grew up in Mackenzie and Prince George. After winning the Cup with the New Jersey Devils in 2003, he agreed to be one of the last players to get his day with the Cup, in exchange for two days so he could take it to both Prince George and Seattle, where he played his junior hockey and lived in the off-season with his family.
The public portion of Stevenson's visit to Prince George with the Stanley Cup was, to put it politely, a disaster.
If the photo isn't proof of that, here's former Citizen sports editor Jim Swanson's account of Stevenson's arrival at city hall on Labour Day Monday:
"There was no crowd control whatsoever at city hall, site of the gathering. No ropes to a podium, no platform, and a sound system so impotent, so useless those standing even a few feet away (such as myself) could not hear what Turner or the Mayor had to say. Colin Kinsley's face went a deeper shade of red with each interrupted attempt at congratulating Turner. My guess is that a PA system is now in the mayor's budget.
"There was no music, no lead-up, no signage, no presentation of a key to the city. Turner was given a watch. A table was set up at ground level at city hall - yes, ground level - near flower beds that were shredded by anxious feet. One onlooker wondered why a flatbed trailer, a P.G. staple, couldn't have been borrowed and turned into a stage for a few hours.
"One look at The Citizen photos show Turner himself looking concerned at times with the crush of the uncontrolled crowd. I am surprised no one was hurt.
"This could have been a shining moment for Prince George. Instead, it was a City-sponsored embarrassment. I witnessed a kid crying because he didn't even catch a glimpse of Turner and the Cup despite waiting for an hour."
So that's how not to do it.
Fortunately, Prince George will get a do-over, thanks to Brett Connolly and his Washington Capitals winning the Cup Thursday night. It's not if, but when, the Stanley Cup will return to Prince George in the hands of a resident who earned his name being engraved on the most sacred of hockey trophies.
So let's get busy on what a hero's welcome for Connolly should look like.
Ideally, the City of Prince George and the Prince George Cougars would collaborate for a free afternoon or evening event at CN Centre. The big screen could feature photos and video from Connolly's hockey days in Prince George (The Citizen and our friends at CKPG would be happy to help with archive material), followed by his goals during this Stanley Cup run, his puck assist to young Caps fan Keelan Moxley that went viral, his assist on Lars Eller's Cup-winning goal and his nationally-televised Hockey Night In Canada on-ice interview, accompanied by his proud wife and family.
Some congratulations from Dan Hamhuis, Eric Brewer and the rest of the Cougars ownership, along with some well-wishes from former teammates. A few more speeches from the politicians, including Cariboo-Prince George MP Todd Doherty, who helped coach Connolly as a Cariboo Cougar, and Mayor Lyn Hall, who could bestow the Freedom of the City and unveil the sign marking the name of the CN Centre street entrance off Ospika Boulevard as Brett Connolly Way.
And then bring in the man and that trophy.
A standing ovation.
Some remarks from the champ.
More applause.
And then the opportunity, in a safe and orderly fashion unlike the fiasco 15 years ago, for everyone or as many people as possible within the time available, to approach the Cup, snap a few selfies and congratulate Connolly.
Maybe an outdoor BBQ and an auction of Connolly memorabilia to raise money for the Cougars Alumni Charity and/or the team's 50/50 Society.
Sky's the limit, folks.
Let's do this properly.
-- Editor-in-chief Neil Godbout
