Former St. Lawrence U. hockey captain hoists Stanley Cup
Rich Peverley, who graduated from Canton’s St. Lawrence University in 2004, didn’t just make the roster for the Boston Bruins win over Vancouver – he emerged a major factor. This from the SLU Athletics Department.
Peverley, who was obtained by the Bruins on Feb. 18 from the Atlanta Thrashers, was inserted on the first line by Bruins coach Claude Julien to replace Nathan Horton, who was knocked out of the series against Vancouver with a severe concussion in game three of the series.
He responded with a pair of goals in the 4-0 Bruins win in game two, which tied the series at 2-2.
One thing that surprised me: This is actually the first time a former SLU alum has captured the Stanley Cup as a player. SLU has produced some cup-winning coaches and support staff:
Other former Saint players who have been part of Stanley Cup Championship teams include Ron Waske, who was trainer, and Bill Torrey, who was general manager when the New York Islanders won four straight from 1980-83, Mike Keenan who coached the New York Rangers to the title in 1994 and Ray Shero, who is general manager of the Pittsburgh Penguins, 2009 Stanley Cup Champions.
The North Country has had some up close contact with professional sports’ oldest trophy. In 2008, Ogdensburg’s Jimmy Howard brought the Cup home after being part of the championship Detroit Red Wings. Listen to this story about Howard’s visit to the high school, and this one about the man who’s job it is to be the Cup’s bodyguard.
My favorite part about that visit: the Stanley Cup arrived in a convertible, strapped into the back seat with a seat belt. Safety first.
Congrats to Peverley and Boston.
Boo to the bad behavior of some Vancouver fanatics.
Since we’re recalling North Country cup claims, let’s not forget about the Carolina Hurricanes’ Erik Cole from Oswego, NY, who played with Clarkson’s Golden Knights and helped the ‘Canes take the ’06 cup in a brilliant game 7 (not that I’m partial or anything).
I don’t know who maintains it (if it’s maintained at all), but here’s an interesting list of North Country hockey talent: http://northernnyhockeytalent.blogspot.com/2009/10/where-are-they-now.html
SLU and Vermont players (Peverley and Tim Thomas) not winning anything in college but hoisting the Cup with the Bruins… as a Boston fan and Clarkson alum, this is what I love to see. =)