On Wednesday, the Stanley Cup made its way from Hodonin to Prague, and into the waiting arms of rookie forward, Jakub Vrana. The Washington Capitals documented the Cup’s journey from its unboxing, to Letňany’s ice rink, through to Andre Burakovsky’s surprising appearance to join in the celebrations.
Prague Restaurant
The Keeper of the Cup wheeled the Stanley Cup into a restaurant in Prague, where Vrana lifted it carefully from inside its box. He pressed a kiss to it, and turned to show it off. His father and mother were both there to share the moment with their son.
Video: @capitals
Both Vrana’s father, Karel, and his mother, Jana, took a photograph with the Cup. The snap with Jana was taken outside of the cemetery where Vrana’s grandmother is buried. Vrana had previously told TV Nova that he planned to take the Stanley Cup to her grave, after she passed earlier in the season.
Photos: @capitals
Vrana’s mother and father weren’t the only family members to share in his Cup day. His grandfather also took a few photographs with the Cup, and spent time at the restaurant with Vrana, and the rest of his friends and family.
Of course, Vrana also took the time to sign a few autographs before he made his way out to Ice Arena Letňany.
Photos: @capitals
Ice Arena Letňany
Vrana next made his way to the hockey rink at Letňany, located north west of Prague in Praha, where Vrana was born. Vrana played for HC Letňany’s under-16 and under-18 teams.
Photo: @capitals
He also interrupted a Czech men’s league game, and skated out onto the ice with the Stanley Cup. The team didn’t look all that disappointed by the interruption.
Video: @capitals
Celebrating with Public
The Cup celebrations weren’t reserved solely for Vrana’s family and old hockey team at Letňany. The Stanley Cup made a public appearance in Prague’s Old Town square, and other locations in the city, where fans could celebrate alongside Vrana, and touch the trophy.
Vrana also sprayed the fans gathered to see the Stanley Cup with champagne, before chugging it straight from the bottle.
🍾🍾🍾 @JVranaa #ALLCAPS #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/hTwD5seEA7
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) July 11, 2018
Some friends also took a photograph with Vrana, with the Cup raised above his head. Before they moved on to walking through Old Town, and towards their next destination: One Club Prague.
😘 @JVranaa #ALLCAPS #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/z3MuOgIvIw
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) July 11, 2018
Photos: @capitals
Video: @capitals
One Club Prague
A surprise guest joined Vrana as the celebrations moved into party-mode: Andre Burakovsky.
Look who the cat dragged in #ALLCAPS #StanleyCup @andreburakovsky @JVranaa pic.twitter.com/Y6yC8CeOKK
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) July 11, 2018
Several people invited to the party at One Club took the opportunity to take a photo with Vrana and the Stanley Cup. The party, at time of writing, was still ongoing, so expect further shenanigans before it winds back down again.
Headline photo: @capitals
