Paying up

Summerside mayor sending lobster to Manitoba to make good on Stanley Cup wager

Summerside Mayor Bill Martin plans to make good on his culinary wager with the mayor of Dauphin, Man., that was made earlier this year. Dauphin is the hometown of former Washington Capitals Head Coach Barry Trotz. In May, as the Capitals and the Vegas Golden Knights were battling for the NHL’s Stanley Cup, Dauphin Mayor Allen Dowhan and Martin made a friendly, and public, wager on the outcome of the series. Summerside is the hometown of the Golden Knights’ head coach, Gerard “Turk” Gallant. The mayors wagered that if their team lost, they’d invite the other man to their city for a meal where the loser had to wear the winner’s team jersey. Dowhan wagered a feast of Ukrainian perogies and Martin promised seafood. Trotz and the Capitals went on to clinch the series and take home the Stanley Cup, which meant Martin had to make good on his end of the wager. There was some initial talk of Martin flying Dowhan to the Island for a visit and to make good on their wager, but after the men discussed the logistics of the situation they decided to modify their agreement. Martin has agreed to ship Dowhan 100 pounds of lobster, to be used in an upcoming fundraiser for Dauphin’s municipal sports complex. Trotz, who is no longer with the Capitals organization, has agreed that if his hometown can fundraise $75,000 towards the project, he will match it. There is an event scheduled for Aug. 22 to help raise the money and Martin’s lobster shipment will play some part in that event, though the details are still being worked out. Martin may also fly to Dauphin to help deliver the lobster and participate in the event, but he is unsure yet if he’ll be able to make that happen. Martin said he will be paying for both the lobster and his plane ticket, if he does go to Manitoba, out of his own pocket. “[We’re] Looking forward to hosting Mayor Bill, if everything goes as planned,” said Dowhan. “I plan on visiting [P.E.I.] maybe next year. Your mayor will be shown some western hospitality with a Ukrainian theme.”