What followed was an adventure reminiscent of a scene from Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, but set against the backdrop of St. Louis. While there might have been a Ferrari involved, it was not captured on camera.
Tkachuk, who had the Cup for an extended period, was seen taking it to lunch on Wednesday, where the Stanley Cup was reportedly treated to toasted ravioli, potentially dipped in marinara.
Thursday was marked by a whirlwind of joy as Tkachuk took the Cup to several beloved spots around his hometown. His itinerary included the local police station, the fire department, his old elementary school, and Chaminade College Prep, where he and Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum attended high school.
The Cup also made a notable stop to meet another iconic trophy—the Heisman Trophy, won by former FSU quarterback Chris Weinke in 2000.
The first stop of the day was at St. Louis Children’s Hospital, where Tkachuk spent over an hour with young patients and their families. Matthew DeFranks of the Post-Dispatch reported that Tkachuk engaged with the kids, posed for photos, signed autographs, and shared stories about the Stanley Cup, including a nod to the 2019 St. Louis Blues.
“It’s all about seeing their smiles,” Tkachuk told DeFranks. “They face challenges I can’t even imagine. Their joy and their reactions are what make this experience priceless. The Cup has a magical way of bringing happiness, even if it’s just for a brief moment during a tough day.”
Though Tkachuk was born in Arizona, he was raised in St. Louis, making the Cup’s visit to his hometown especially meaningful. He was accompanied by his family—his father Keith, mother Chantal, brother Brady, and sister Taryn—throughout much of the tour.
Keith Tkachuk shared with NHL.com, “Watching Matthew with the Cup and seeing how much it means to others has been incredible. It’s even more special than winning. We’re so proud. Bringing it back here and sharing it with everyone has been amazing.”
Matthew Tkachuk reflected on the significance of the visit, saying, “The support I received during the Stanley Cup Final and throughout the playoffs was overwhelming. Bringing the Cup back to St. Louis and celebrating with everyone who’s supported me has been a dream come true. It’s a moment I’ll cherish forever.”
As the Stanley Cup leaves Missouri, it heads to Minnesota for a public celebration with Kyle Okposo at Pagel Arena in Minnetonka from 10-11:30 a.m. today.
Upcoming events include Rick Dudley’s public party at Griffon Brewery and Gastropub in Lewiston, N.Y., on Tuesday at 5 p.m., and former Florida defenseman Brandon Montour’s parade and celebration in Six Nations of the Grand River, Ontario, starting at 1 p.m. on Wednesday.
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