Inside the Stanley Cup’s summer travel tour

Endless parties. exotic food. family celebrations. travel world. It almost goes without saying that the Stanley Cup will have a better summer vacation than the rest of us.

According to Phil Pritchard, Vice President and Trustee of the Hockey Hall of Fame, it’s all going to happen in about 100 days.

“We are working with the team and the league on the line-up [travel] Schedule,” Pritchard, who has been the keeper of the cup since 1988, told ESPN. “The two big factors are geography and time.”

The clock started on June 27, the day after the Colorado Avalanche won the trophy in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Finals against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Prior to the series, the NHL announced that the Stanley Cup would not be allowed to travel to Russia due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The decision affected a member of the Avalanche: Valeri Nichushkin.

The cup made it to Ontario, Labrador, Nova Scotia, Alberta, Quebec and other places in Canada. In addition to Colorado, it made it to Michigan and California in the United States. Outside of North America, it hit several places in Europe.

It also made history. In August, Muslim Nazem Kadri took the trophy to a mosque in London, Ontario. It is believed that the trophy visited a mosque for the first time.

“[Islam is] part of my background, part of my roots and part of who I am,” Kadri, whose family moved to Canada from Lebanon in 1968, told NHL.com Community Deserved It. They cheered me on from the start, so I wanted to share it with everyone.”

It was definitely shared. Here are some of the Stanley Cup summer adventures.

famous friends

Avalanche defender Jack Johnson’s family is full of championship athletes. He has two brothers-in-law who played college and NFL football. Brady Quinn, Johnson’s wife’s brother, was an All-American at Notre Dame and played for the Cleveland Browns. AJ Hawk, who is married to another of the Quinn sisters, won a BCS title at Ohio State and a Super Bowl with the Green Bay Packers. Johnson’s sister-in-law, Alicia Sacramone Quinn, won a silver medal in gymnastics at the 2008 Olympics. In a perfect holiday card level flex, the group showed off the various things they won.

A successful family! Jack Johnson shows the #Stanley cup and @Olympics Medal while brother-in-law AJ Hawk wears his @Super Bowl Ring and Brady Quinn proudly displays his college awards..Sister-in-law Alicia Quinn wears her Olympic medal. @Avalanche @nhl @HockeyHallFame pic.twitter.com/5gDmnY3DSo

— Philip Pritchard (@keeperofthecup) July 22, 2022

It wasn’t the only other hardware hitting the Cup this summer.

When Larry met Stanley. pic.twitter.com/VoAuA5ug53

— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) September 4, 2022

When legends meet. 🏆@Avalanche @Warrior @6ErikJohnson pic.twitter.com/laX3Dil7Yb

— Del Mar Racetrack (@DelMarRacing) September 4, 2022

#BroncosCountry 🤝 Mr. Stanley pic.twitter.com/VPdjbieonv

— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) September 15, 2022

trips back home

The summer Stanley Cup stops are geographically coordinated. For example, all trips to Europe take place in one time block. Each player gets a tag with it. According to Pritchard, the person traveling with the trophy will work with players a week or two before their day.

“Every player has the Stanley Cup most of the day and usually lots of things planned (thank you’s, city events, family events, open houses, etc.),” ​​Pritchard said in an email to ESPN. “It’s understood that there’s more at stake than the players on the ice – it’s their first coaches, teachers, friends, family etc… everything has to be considered.”

The cup went to Europe at the end of July, with stops in the Czech Republic, Germany, Sweden and Finland.

Pavel Francouz brings the @Stanleycup to Pilsen, Czech Republic. #Avs pic.twitter.com/f34gXvDAs3

— Eurolanche 🇺🇦 (@Eurolanche) July 22, 2022

⚠️ Time for BeReal ⚠️#GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/0JANgaELsP

— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) July 26, 2022

In Finland, the Cup went to a dog party with striker Mikko Rantanen and steamed in a sauna.

For Mikko Rantanen, “It’s all about dogs. His dogs, dog friends… it didn’t matter, they all wanted photos with him #Stanley cup and Mikko of course! @Avalanche @nhl@HockeyHallFame pic.twitter.com/YTufHsVj9g

— Philip Pritchard (@keeperofthecup) August 3, 2022

It’s getting hot here 🔥

…. It’s literally a sauna.#GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/cMqNnSC5Gg

— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) July 29, 2022

Avalanche star Nathan MacKinnon visited his family’s home in Halifax, Nova Scotia. MacKinnon is Halifax’s fourth Stanley Cup champion.

Nate, his very first hockey net and the Stanley Cup.

Not bad 😎#GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/OUbk6Xryaa

— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) August 20, 2022

Rantanen wasn’t the only person to involve dogs in his celebration. A lot of very good boys and girls were around the trophy. Dogs and babies were also part of a trend to sit in the cup.

Napping in the Stanley Cup?

10/10 recommend. #GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/LEd6OAaNoj

— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) September 8, 2022

We’re all fans of the #Stanley cup.. doesn’t matter shape or size. Just like Jackman! @NHL @Avalanche @HockeyHallFame pic.twitter.com/eCJNlvu0HT

— Philip Pritchard (@keeperofthecup) September 9, 2022

Polly wants a cracker! or maybe Polly just wants a sip of this #Stanley cup how @Avalanche do! @nhl @HockeyHallFame pic.twitter.com/V2A34oDewc

— Philip Pritchard (@keeperofthecup) August 15, 2022

Eats exotic

The most time-honored trend at the Stanley Cup is eating and drinking out of it.

gibelotte is a traditional French rabbit stew. Just days after the Avalanche won the championship, the dish prepared by winger Nicolas Aubé-Kubel was one of the first things to be eaten from the 130-year-old trophy. It wasn’t the last.

Nic made a traditional soup, gibelotte, from his hometown of Sorel.

And now the boat is taking the trophy down the river!#GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/8nJnC6R7QX

— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) July 9, 2022

Then goalie Pavel Francouz drank peppermint rum in the Czech Republic.

The day started in the “City of Beer” Pilsen, Czech Republic with Pavel Francouz and ended with mint rum with former teammates. #Stanley cup @NHL @Avalanche@HockeyHallFame pic.twitter.com/gwU1fS00nj

— Philip Pritchard (@keeperofthecup) July 24, 2022

Two defenders – Bowen Byram, the Ate french toastand Cale Makar, who ate homemade pancakes — had breakfast out of the cup. A barefoot that Alex Newhook, an Avs center, had fish and chips. There was plenty of ice cream and a delicious snack of popcorn and teddy grahams served from the trophy.

“Cereal, pasta, fish, poutine, drinks, desserts,” Pritchard said, describing the usual fare eaten by the trophy.

“It’s amazing what happened in the Stanley Cup.”

We all scream for ice cream with the fam 🥹#GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/g86ug9B4Iv

— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) August 19, 2022

I’ve never heard of popcorn and graham crackers mixed together! But hey, I imagine everything going well in the mix #Stanley cup @Avalanche @nhl@HockeyHallFame pic.twitter.com/Hh39Ter0om

— Philip Pritchard (@keeperofthecup) September 13, 2022

Humans weren’t the only ones using the nearly 3-foot tall trophy as a drinking glass.

Who would have thought that “Ralphie”, the mascot, was a hockey fan… she had to watch this #Stanley cup. @nhl @Avalanche @CUBoulder @HockeyHallFame pic.twitter.com/9CBzsVEDSH

— Philip Pritchard (@keeperofthecup) September 19, 2022

Bernie made some new friends today! #GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/wUqeAyXysx

— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) August 28, 2022

This is a good time to mention that the Stanley Cup is often washed during its journey. The trophy “is cleaned and ready for use every day, it is also cleaned during the day as needed,” Pritchard said. Officials traveling with the trophy for these events are also following local COVID guidelines.

During the day, Makar not only went out to eat pancakes, but also went out to eat a Slurpee with his brother.

The cup at the top of the mug can hold 168 ounces – more than a gallon. That’s a lot of Slurpees.

Cale Makar and his brother Taylor get their Slurpee! And it wasn’t an impulse buy. 🙂 #Stanley cup @Avalanche @NHL @HockeyHallFame pic.twitter.com/M4PJahRyab

— Philip Pritchard (@keeperofthecup) August 12, 2022

fun in the sun

No summer vacation would be complete without some time outdoors. The Cup went on a boat and a helicopter and went water skiing. It was also time to chill and enjoy the summery weather.

How a boat that?! Logan O’Connor & Cale Makar cruise the Bow River #Stanley cup. Brilliant! (Calgary, AB) #Stanley cup @Avalanche @NHL @HockeyHallFame pic.twitter.com/1lehxggxJH

— Philip Pritchard (@keeperofthecup) August 10, 2022

Josh Manson isn’t just a talented hockey player. Another calling? (Christopher Lake, Scandinavia) #Stanley cup @Avalanche @NHL @HockeyHallFame pic.twitter.com/Df6uuA2g6w

— Philip Pritchard (@keeperofthecup) August 5, 2022

A fitting way for Josh Manson to end his perfect Stanley Cup day (Christopher Lake, SK) #Stanley cup @Avalanche @NHL @HockeyHallFame pic.twitter.com/sasGVceoem

— Philip Pritchard (@keeperofthecup) August 5, 2022

But defender Erik Johnson could have the cup-winning moment of the summer. Aside from taking the cup to horse races in Del Mar, California, he rode a Slip ‘N Slide while holding it.

It’s Labor Day weekend, the unofficial end of summer @6ErikJohnson style with #Stanley cup @Avalanche @nhl@HockeyHallFame pic.twitter.com/Loz0gKxjyS

— Philip Pritchard (@keeperofthecup) September 5, 2022

Now that summer is over and the new NHL season is about to begin, the Stanley Cup is getting back to work. It will be eight months before it travels around the world again. After the Cup’s wild 100 days with the Avalanche, Pritchard is quick to remind everyone that when it comes to celebrating the Cup, almost nothing is off-limits as long as a consideration is met.

“The players and staff have worked their lives towards this moment, to lift the Stanley Cup and say thank you,” Pritchard said. “They represent hockey, their city, their team and the National Hockey League. When they describe their day to us, we listen, and if it’s respectful, all is well.”