Schedule set for Stanley Cup visit
The timing has been set for the Stanley Cup’s appearance with Washington Capitals champion Brett Connolly.
Connolly is working with his former junior team, the Prince George Cougars, in partnership with the City of Prince George, to share the Stanley Cup with his hometown on Aug. 20.
The Cougars have now announced that the celebration, which is free to the public, will begin at noon sharp that Monday. It will happen inside the CN Centre with doors opening at 10 a.m.
“Some fans will have an opportunity to get their picture taken with Brett Connolly and the Stanley Cup after a short rally at ice level,” said Cougars spokesperson Fraser Rodgers. “Prince George minor hockey kids, wearing their jerseys, are invited to a ‘kids only’ area in front of the stage at the celebration.”
Connolly played his entire junior hockey career for the WHL’s Cougars, a feat made sweeter by his being a child of the Prince George Minor Hockey Association.
“I can’t wait to come back home and celebrate the Stanley Cup win,” Connolly said. “Prince George has left an indelible mark on my career, from playing P.G. minor hockey to playing for the Cougars and being drafted into the NHL. This is my chance to repay everyone that has helped me along the way.”
At the Stanley Cup celebration, fans will have an opportunity to participate in silent auctions and raffles. One of the prizes is a pair of VIP backstage experiences and Brett Connolly and Washington Capitals autographed memorabilia. All proceeds from the silent auctions and raffles will go to the Brock Hirsche Memorial Scholarship Fund.
Hirsche, the former captain of the Cougars, went on to play university hockey before tragically losing his life to cancer this year at the age of 26. He was Connolly’s teammate for three seasons in Prince George.
“A large turnout is expected for Brett Connolly’s Stanley Cup celebration, so fans are encouraged to arrive early to have a chance to get a picture with the Stanley Cup,” said Rodgers.
Starting Monday, fans can go to the Cougars’ website and bid on a VIP package for four, that includes exclusive backstage access during the Stanley Cup celebration, a private picture with the Stanley Cup and Brett Connolly, plus autographed merchandise.
The online silent auction will close on Aug. 17 at noon.
There will also be a draw for the same VIP package, with a suggested minimum of a $5 donation for a ticket. Draw tickets will be available, by donation, at the Cougars office or the TicketsNorth box office, starting Monday. Aug. 17 is also the closing date for this unique opportunity.
There will be other opportunities to win autographed merchandise at the event. Prince George’s Brett Connolly hoists the Stanley Cup on June 7 in Las Vegas.
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