My time with the Cup!

by Kate Catlin

I have always been a huge hockey fan. When you grow up in central Massachusetts, ice-skating and hockey are normal winter pastimes. My favorite thing to play in gym class was floor hockey. I just love to watch and play the sport. I approached my parents about letting me play at one point but it was before they had a solid girls league started and I was a little young. I think my mom was picturing me without teeth. We used to go to amateur games a lot, the Worcester Icecats were pretty good and the games were a lot of fun. I always remember one particular game when UPS had a big drawing. They drew four consecutive seats to relocate to seats right on the glass. Everyone was all excited listening and to my surprise they called my seat, my sister’s and our two friends’. The UPS man came to our seats with a package holding our tickets and escorted us to our new seats. It was awesome. We were in prime position for them to check each other against the glass right in front of us. It was exciting to be close enough to hear the players talking on the ice.

I am sure you would peg me as a Bruins fan being from so close to Boston. Unfortunately I am not really old enough to remember the great times with the Bruins. Sure, Bobby Orr is one of my favorite sports heroes of all time, he did after all score more goals as a defenseman than most offensive players ever could or would. Because I was not really up on the Bruins, it was easy to get into supporting the Carolina Hurricanes when they came to this area. It’s a little different since not many people in the south can hold a conversation about hockey but the excitement about the sport has started to grow. Especially since they are the 2006 STANLEY CUP CHAMPIONS! Ever since they won the Cup it has been my mission to see it and have a photo with it. I finally got my chance yesterday. Kyle Prairie is Director of Ticket Sales for the Canes and hooked me up. I went and took my picture with the Cup and could not stop smiling. I wanted to pore over the names on it but there wasn’t time. I just kept thinking of all the hockey greats lifting it over their heads as tears pored down their faces. I love the tradition in hockey – they all line up and shake hands after games (what other sport does that?) and they don’t touch the Stanley Cup until they have won it. Go Canes and thanks Kyle, you made my life.

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