Ex-Gopher Leddy to bring Stanley Cup back home

Jun 28, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Nick Leddy (8) during the 2013 Stanley Cup championship celebration at Grant Park. Mandatory Credit: Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports

The most celebrated moment of winning the Stanley Cup after getting to skate with it on the ice after closing out the deciding game in the NHL Stanley Cup Finals is getting your day with the cup. Eden Prairie native Nick Leddy will start the 2013 Chicago Blackhawks cup tour by bringing the storied trophy to the Twin Cities Thursday and Friday.

The Blackhawks defeated the Boston Bruins in the finals this season in six games and Leddy averaged 14:21 of ice time for the team over their run to the cup. He recorded two assists in 23 games of the playoffs, but was used only sparingly in the team’s final three postseason games versus Boston, all wins.

Leddy is the first Gophers alum since Ben Clymer in 2004 to win the cup. Like Clymer, he will bring the trophy to the University of Minnesota as a part of his day with the cup.

Leddy begins his reign as cup holder by visiting Maynard’s Restaurant in Excelsior, Minn. The lakeside eatery on Lake Minnetonka will welcome the cup, Leddy, and thrones of hockey fans beginning at 4:00 p.m. CT Thurs.

After soaking up the sun, the entourage will travel to downtown Minneapolis and Brit’s Pub on Nicollet Mall. The multi-level hotspot will welcome fans to partake in a cup event and probably some English-style lawn bowling. The stop at Brit’s is scheduled from 8:30-10:00 p.m. CT.

Finally to wrap up Day 1 with the trophy, Leddy will continue his around-the-world food parade by going to SEVEN Sushi Ultra Lounge and Skybar — also in downtown Minneapolis. The rooftop run at SEVEN is scheduled to conclude at 11:30 p.m. CT, but may run late.

On Fri., Leddy will begin his public tour of the cup at the Eden Prairie Community Center where the local hockey phenom honed his skills from youth to high school. From noon to 2:00 p.m. CT autographs, pictures, and an open forum will be available with Leddy and the cup at Rink 1.

After the hometown hero welcome in EP, the trip finally comes to the campus of the Univ. of Minnesota where Leddy played one season of college hockey with the Golden Gophers. He will hold a private event, not open to the public, at the the school’s Amplatz Children’s Hospital to visit with young patients.

After the philanthropy stop, the cup will end its Twin Cities tour by landing at Mariucci Arena. The hockey home for the Gophers will welcome all fans at 4:00 p.m. CT Fri. and attendance should be impressive. The hour long celebration will likely include a stop from Goldy the Gopher and plenty of friends and family.

All of this excitement and joy is well deserved for the former Mr. Hockey winner and high school state champion. It is not known what is in store for the cup the rest of the summer, but the two days for Leddy with the Stanley Cup should be memorable for all parties involved.

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