Though Dmitry Orlov’s day with the Stanley Cup got off to a rocky start–a small matter of the trophy winding up in the wrong Russian city–things wrapped up nicely.
Orlov posted a heartfelt thank-you on his Instagram feed to the many fans from his home town of Novokuznetsk (which is here, and not here, by the way).
“[This was] one of the best and most memorable days of my life!” Orlov began. “Thank you to my home city, and to the people who were with us!!! I hope everyone was satisfied, and filled with positive emotions!!!
“I would like to apologize for the extenuating circumstances and the change in time [of the event]. The Cup was unloaded in Moscow and stayed there, and we made an unbelievable effort and did the impossible so that the Cup could make it nevertheless to our home town of Novokuznetsk!!!
“Thank you to our friends and family for all the help and positive emotions!!! I will never forget this day!!! And I can officially say now that I truly felt like a Stanley Cup Winner today!!!”
While multiple Russian news sources reported that the trophy was sent by mistake to Novosibirsk, apparently the issue began far to the West, in Moscow.
According to Komsomolskaya Pravda, the Stanley Cup was left behind in Moscow, then loaded on the next Eastbound flight in an effort to get it close to Novokuznetsk. After landing in Novosibirsk, about 150 miles away, a helicopter was finally hired to deliver the cup to the proper destination.
Cheers to a good night in Novokuznetsk with the #StanleyCup @orlov_09 @Capitals @NHL @HockeyHallFame pic.twitter.com/l6VcaH7VtR
— Philip Pritchard (@keeperofthecup) August 18, 2018
Headline photo: @orlov_09
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