Stanley Cup makes first appearance in Coaldale
Tradition dictates the players and staff of the Stanley Cup champions each get to spend a day with the Stanley Cup.
Tuesday, for the first time, this tradition brought the Stanley Cup to Coaldale in southern Alberta.
Wade Klippenstein is the director of amateur scouting for the Stanley Cup champion Colorado Avalanche.
But he’s also proud to call Coaldale home.
He wouldn’t want to spend his cup day anywhere else.
“This is where my kids grew up to me it's more about them and their friends. This is where my wife's friends are from. She works in Lethbridge as a nurse so this is home," said Klippenstein.
Klippenstein got to spend his day with the cup in his backyard with friends and family.
While he enjoyed his experience with the cup he found that it seemed to fly by.
“You know what it's probably something I'll enjoy more in photos and in videos, it's happening quick. The day's gone by super fast so I'm glad to be able to share it with friends and family," Klippenstein said.
He’s not the first person from Coaldale to win the Stanley Cup but he is the first person to spend his day with the cup in the town.
It was important to Klippenstein to spend this important day with those closest to him.
His wife Ashley thought the whole thing didn’t even seem real.
“It's a bit weird still to be honest. It's only going to be here for a couple hours but it's really nice that we get the opportunity to have it," she said.
While the Stanley Cup was the guest of honour there was another guest present who helped make the day possible, namely the keeper of the cup, Mario Della-Savia.
He’s been with the cup during its western Canadian trip.
While the trip is winding down, it’s certainly been a busy one for Della-Savia.
“We've been in Saskatoon of course and Humboldt. We've been in Innisfail, we're going to Calgary then we're here today in Coaldale” Della Savia said.
While it was an exciting day, Klippenstein said he wished he had more time to spend with the cup.
He’s hoping for an Avalanche title repeat so he can get that opportunity again next summer.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
RCMP uncovers plot to sell drones and equipment to Libya
The RCMP says it has uncovered a plot by two men in Montreal to sell Chinese drones and military equipment to Libya illegally.
Demonstrators kicked out of Ontario legislature for disruption after failed keffiyeh vote
A group of demonstrators were kicked out of the legislature after a second NDP motion calling for unanimous consent to reverse a ban on the keffiyeh failed to pass.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
Man wanted in connection with deadly shooting in Toronto tops list of most wanted fugitives in Canada
A 35-year-old man wanted in connection with the murder of Toronto resident 29-year-old Sharmar Powell-Flowers nine months ago has topped the list of the BOLO program’s 25 most wanted fugitives across Canada, police announced Tuesday.
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
Keeping these exotic pets is 'cruel' and 'dangerous,' Canadian animal advocates say
Canadian pet owners are finding companionship beyond dogs and cats. Tigers, alligators, scorpions and tarantulas are among some of the exotic pets they are keeping in private homes, which pose risks to public safety and animal welfare, advocates say.
Thieves use stolen forklift to rip cash machine out of U.K. bank
Police in the U.K. are searching for a group of suspects seen on video using a forklift to steal a cash machine from a bank.
'There was a lot of black smoke': Crane operator sounds alarm while trapped during highrise fire in Halifax
A tower crane operator alerted emergency crews after noticing a fire on a construction site in Halifax Tuesday morning.
Cherry blossoms blooming in Canada: Here's what to know
There is a swaying sea of colour in some cities across Canada, and it's a sure sign of spring: cherry blossoms are in bloom.