Stanley Cup visit raises money for kids’ camp
SARATOGA SPRINGS >> Assistant Coach Kevin Dineen played a big part in helping the Chicago Blackhawks win this year’s Stanley Cup championship.
On Monday, he brought the world’s most famous trophy to Saratoga Race Course to support a winning cause.
For a small fee, hundreds of fans lined up to have their picture taken with the Stanley Cup to raise funds for Double H Hole in the Woods Ranch, the Lake Luzerne camp for children with life-threatening and serious illnesses.
A loud cheer went up as Dineen raised the Cup overhead, then made a beeline to meet 15- and 14-year-old Peter and Phillip Frolish of Saratoga Springs, who are in wheelchairs, afflicted with Duchenne muscular dystrophy and autism.
“Hi, there you are! Two of Double H Ranch’s finest,” said Dineen, encouraging the boys with praise.
Dineen’s wife, Annie, is a former volunteer nurse at Double H ranches in Luzerne and Connecticut as well.
“We’re huge fans of the Hole in the Woods program,” said Dineen, who lives on Glen Lake in Queensbury during the summer.
Hockey fans of all kinds waited for a chance to see the Stanley Cup up close.
“It’s the holy grail of all sports trophies,” said Alex Frolish, Peter and Phillip’s father.
Chris Cagnina of Schenectady, wearing a colorful Blackhawks baseball cap, said he’s been a fan of the team for more than 30 years.
“Coming from the Mohawk Valley, there’s a lot of Native American heritage in this area,” he said. “I always thought they had the coolest logo in sports. I love the uniforms. I’ve had a smile on my face for a week, knowing that I had a chance to see the Cup. I could care less about horse racing.”
However, Monday’s second race was named for Double H Ranch and the Cup was taken to the winner’s circle for a special presentation.
Double H board member Sheryl Schwartz and her husband, Barry, former New York Racing Association chairman and Calvin Klein CEO, were present for the ceremony. Barry Schwartz owns Stonewall Farm in Westchester County and is a Jockey Club member.
Afterward, it was brought back to a spot near the Jockey Silks Room where fans continued standing in line for well over another hour to see the Cup. One of those on hand was Justin Zayat, the son of Ahmed Zayat, owner of Triple Crown winner American Pharoah.
Kevin Dineen is the fourth member of his family to earn a Stanley Cupring. His father Bill, the former Adirondack Red Wings coach, got two rings as a Detroit Red Wings player in 1954 and ‘55; and Kevin’s brothers Gord and Sean got rings as a player and scout, respectively, with the with the Pittsburgh Penguins and Colorado Avalance.
“This is as much about dad as it is about me,” Kevin said. “Once you win the Cup you realize how hard it is to get it. That’s what makes you want to share it with family and friends. It’s fabulous.”
This is the second straight year the Cup has visited the Glens Falls-Saratoga area and the third time since 2008. Tradition holds that every member of the winning team’s organization gets to host it for a day as the trophy makes its way around the world.
Last year, the Cup visited the Lake George home of Joe Pat- erson, a scout for the 2014 NHL champion Los Angeles Kings; and in 2008Detroit scout Glenn Merkosky brought it to Glens Falls.
Monday’s event was a dreamcome-true for Double H camper Seth Cooper, 15, who is entering his sophomore year at South Glens Falls High School. His right side is afflicted with Cerebral Palsy. However, he’s learned how to overcome challenges and obstacles by attending the Double H Ranch’s yearround activities, from aerial ropes courses to skiing, since he was 9 years old.
Cooper has a bright future in sports front office work ahead of him. Last year, he covered the Adirondack Flames for the Regional Radio Group and is now doing on-air work. This summer, he was communications director for the Glens Falls Dragons baseball team. He went to the track Monday wearing a colorful Double H Ranch hockey jersey that campers were given a few years ago by the Adirondack Phantoms team.
Cooper knows hockey inside and out, so a chance to see the sport’s most sacred trophy was an extraspecial experience.
“It’s awesome,” he said smiling. “It’s kind of a dream.”