The NHL has released a series of brilliant Stanley Cup commercials over the years. And, ahead of Game One of the Stanley Cup Final between the Boston Bruins and St. Louis Blues, the league posted another instant classic narrated by Hockey Hall of Famer Wayne Gretzky.
From Ray Bourque to Mark Messier, Gretzky spoke about the magical and meaningful moment when the captain of the victorious team passes the Stanley Cup off to who he believes is the most deserving teammate.
“Sometimes the choice is obvious,” Gretzky said as a clip of Alex Ovechkin handing the Stanley Cup to Nicklas Backstrom played.
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From Joe Sakic passing the #StanleyCup to @RayBourque77, to @Backstrom19 getting it from @ovi8, the first pass is a magical moment every year.
Which @NHLBruins and @StLouisBlues player should receive the #StanleyCup from their captain first? pic.twitter.com/zTYh3ntMGW
— NHL (@NHL) May 27, 2019
Here is Gretzky’s full monologue.
The euphoria you feel when the clock ticks down to zero on your fourth victory in the Stanley Cup Final is both inconceivable and indescribable. Yet, that only serves as the opening act for the one of kind celebration that ensues when the 34 and a half pound chalice makes it way onto the ice. When you’re the captain, you get the honor of accepting the greatest trophy in sports and the first to hoist it overhead. Then, you have a decision to make. Who gets it next?
Sometimes the choice is obvious (video of Alex Ovechkin giving the Stanley Cup to Nicklas Backstrom)
Often it has nothing to do with goals or assists. It can involve family ties. Or a brotherhood forged by the game. It might lift a teammate that has been unfairly criticized. It might bring tears to an entire arena. It can be a superstar. It can be a revered veteran who waited a lifetime for this moment. It doesn’t have to be a player in uniform. It could even be a legendary coach.
The thing is, you really can’t go wrong because whoever you hand it to will then pass it to somebody else just as deserving. And eventually, everybody who pitched in to win it, will experience the incredible joy of lifting it. The Cup will be in the hands of Zdeno Chart or Alex Pietrangelo soon. I know each will make an inspired choice.
In early May, the NHL also released a new clip entitled Feel, which highlighted Ovechkin’s emotion after first lifting the Stanley Cup.
Headline photo: NHL
