The Capitals’ Stanley Cup victory was a dream come true for players and staff. It also was an accomplishment for the cities and small towns that raised them.
Saturday, as the Stanley Cup today made its way to Gavle, Sweden, Caps players Nicklas Backstrom and Christian Djoos received an honor similar to ones TJ Oshie and Matt Niskanen received from their hometowns.
The chairman of the city board of Gavle, Patrik Stenvad, greeted the first two Stanley Cup champions from this hockey crazed town with flowers and held a speech about what great ambassadors they are for their hometown. He then presented them with the award “Well done for Gavle!”, an achievement given to people from the city who has done something outstanding or spectacular, in sports or in life.
The last hockey person to receive this award was former Brynas coach Tomas Berglund, who reached the finals of the SHL playoffs in 2017 against all odds, ultimately falling to HV71 in a heartbreaking game 7 OT-loss.
The honor was part of a celebration held at Gavlerinken, Nicklas Backstrom and Christian Djoos’ old home arena with Brynäs IF. 2000 fans attended the event to take photos with the Stanley Cup champions and the NHL’s championship trophy.
Headline photo: Bildbyran
