Friday morning, Chandler Stephenson made good on his promise to bring the Stanley Cup to Humboldt to honor the victims of the Humboldt Broncos bus crash.
The Cup arrived at the Elgar Petersen Arena for Hockey Day in Humboldt, escorted by Stephenson who wore a Humboldt strong t-shirt.
The tee Stephenson is sporting is from a partnership between The Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League and 22Fresh Apparel. Proceeds from the shirt purchases went to the SJHL Assistance Program.
“Many in the community have been looking to us for a way to show support. We are honored to be collaborating with the SJHL on a product that allows us all to demonstrate that support while contributing directly where it’s needed most,” said Kip Simon, president of 22Fresh, on the launch of the shirt.
22Fresh announced the launch of the shirt on April 10 on Instagram, but the shirt is no longer available online. Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto has also sported the shirt over the last few months.
Hockey day in Humboldt started when Stephenson and the Cup were escorted to Humboldt by the Saskatoon police traffic unit.
Helping escort some VIPs to Humboldt this morning. #HumboldtStrong pic.twitter.com/KlUJO2ifKv
— SPS Traffic Unit (@SPSTraffic) August 24, 2018
Stephenson arrived in Humboldt at 12:30 accompanied by Mounties.
Chandler Stephenson arrives in a Humboldt Strong shirt, carrying the Stanley Cup, escorted by Mounties. pic.twitter.com/L3xvs34tvN
— Nick Cotsonika (@cotsonika) August 24, 2018
#StanleyCup is in the house. pic.twitter.com/SxJpyrJeqe
— Keenan Sorokan (@KeenanSorokan) August 24, 2018
Chandler Stephenson brings the Stanley Cup to Humboldt, says he did it because the Broncos crash hit close to home pic.twitter.com/oOHIPqZIBj
— Sean Leslie (@seanlesliectv) August 24, 2018
Fans and supporters arrived shortly after the Cup’s arrival.
Where the #StanleyCup goes, lines follow. #Humboldt #Sask pic.twitter.com/Y7BHZ0Farn
— Keenan Sorokan (@KeenanSorokan) August 24, 2018
And the cameras flooded in to cover the day, where Andrew Ference and Stephenson told reporters that they “all rode those buses.”
Chandler Stephenson talks to the media from Humboldt, Saskatchewan where he brought the #StanleyCup. #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/JOZDGPSCmC
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) August 24, 2018
Cameras are ready to welcome Chandler Stephenson and the #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/UY66T1MxSI
— Keenan Sorokan (@KeenanSorokan) August 24, 2018
“We all rode those buses” – Andrew Ference and Chandler Stephenson speak about the importance of bringing the hockey community together after the crash #HumboldtStrong pic.twitter.com/U0iMx55kgW
— Katherine Hill (@KatherineCTV) August 24, 2018
After the press conference, fans got the opportunity to take photos with the Cup, including one very excited Mounty.
The line wraps around the building and snakes through the Hockey Hall of Fame exihibits. But the end is sweet. pic.twitter.com/rp30DBBbcq
— Nick Cotsonika (@cotsonika) August 24, 2018
The line to meet Stephenson and get a pic with the Cup. Doesn't show the hundreds of people lined up outside pic.twitter.com/HYhBqUFO9Y
— Sean Leslie (@seanlesliectv) August 24, 2018
Fans also got a chance to play street hockey against NHLers Brayden McNabb and Brayden Schenn and shoot target practice at a stackable washer and dryer.
Current and former NHLers like Brayden McNabb and Brayden Schenn playing ball hockey with kids and signing autographs. Pretty cool. pic.twitter.com/arZkWxqC5x
— Nick Cotsonika (@cotsonika) August 24, 2018
Players hanging out with fans, competing with kids in the Accuracy Challenge and Target Practice — an old stackable washer and dryer, as if this were the basement. pic.twitter.com/hEOcgCAOYQ
— Nick Cotsonika (@cotsonika) August 24, 2018
The day concluded with a photo featuring all of the NHLers and alumni in attendance with the kids of Humboldt before it was escorted out by Stephenson.
NHL players, NHL alumni and the kids of Humboldt, Saskatchewan. pic.twitter.com/aLtiPLHe2B
— Nick Cotsonika (@cotsonika) August 24, 2018
The #StanleyCup says it's final goodbye in #Humboldt #Sask pic.twitter.com/pPvZrLdh0E
— Keenan Sorokan (@KeenanSorokan) August 24, 2018
Headline image: @cotsonika
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