The Cup is coming to Corpus

Published on January 16, 2006 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Corpus Christi IceRays News Release


The most storied trophy in professional sports is coming to Corpus Christi. During Friday night's Corpus Christi Rayz game versus the Wichita Thunder, the Stanley Cup will be on display at the American Bank Center, Rayz General Manager Larry Linde announced Monday. All fans in attendance on Friday night will have any opportunity to view the legendary trophy up close and personal. Friday night's game begins at 7:35pm. The doors open up at 6:35pm. Tickets for the game are available, and start at $10. For more information, please call the Rayz at (361)814-PUCK.

The Stanley Cup will be on display at the arena, and all fans will have the opportunity to view the cup and take photos with one of the most cherished prizes in all of sports.

Friday's game begins at 7:35pm, and the doors to the general public will open at 6:35pm. However, for all Rayz season ticket holders, sponsors, club and suite ticket holders, there will be a special VIP pre-game viewing of the Stanley Cup in the Sky Lounge at the American Bank Center. Doors will open up at 5:30pm for all season ticket holders, sponsors, club and suite holders with proper credentials. Fans can bring their VIP cards - found in their season ticket holder books - or season, club and suite tickets to the building for early access on Friday night. Fans in the VIP lounge will be able to take pictures of, or with, the Stanley Cup for free of charge.

Linde said that bringing the Stanley Cup to Corpus Christi will give fans in the Coastal Bend a rare chance at seeing a legendary piece of sports history.

"The Stanley Cup is the biggest and most historical symbol of the sport of hockey," Linde said. "It's what everyone who has ever attended a hockey game, or laced up a pair of skates has dreamed about winning. To see it in person, and realize the history it carries, is truly a remarkable event. We're thrilled that we can offer that opportunity to our fans."

The Stanley Cup is awarded each season to the champion of the National Hockey League. It is the oldest trophy competed for in professional sports. The Cup takes it name from Lord Stanley, the Earl of Preston and Governor General of Canada, who purchased the bowl, originally measuring 7 ½ inches high by 11 ½ inches across for the sum of 10 guineas (approximately $50) in 1892. The Stanley Cup was crafted in Sheffield, England.

The first winner of the Stanley Cup was the Montreal Amateur Athletic Association (AAA) hockey club, champions of the Amateur Hockey Association of Canada for 1893. In 1917, upon the formation of the NHL, the Toronto Arenas became the first NHL team to win the Stanley Cup.

The Stanley Cup is unique because the names of the winning coaches, players and staff are actually inscribed on the five rings that make up the base Cup. After a ring is filled, it is removed from the cup and placed in the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto, Canada. Through 2005, more than 2,300 names have been immortalized in hockey history.

The current version includes Lord Stanley's original Cup and the barrel that contains the five rings. It weighs 32 pounds and stands just under three feet tall. During the summer each member of the winning team gets to spend a day with the Cup.

In 1994, the New York Rangers won the Stanley Cup for the first time in 54 years. Rangers Defenseman, Brian Leetch was named the MVP of the playoffs. Leetch, who was born in Corpus Christi, became the first American born player to ever earn that honor. Then in 1999, the Dallas Stars won the Stanley Cup, becoming the first Texas team ever to capture the trophy.

The Stanley Cup travels more than 250 days a year and has visited the Czech Republic, Sweden, Russia, Finland, Japan, Switzerland, the Bahamas, Alaska, Austria, Germany, and all across North America. In the last eight years it has traveled more than 500,000 miles promoting the game of hockey.

The Stanley Cup has made appearances on the Late Show with David Letterman, Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Meet the Press with Tim Russert, Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn, Late Night with Conan O'Brien, and Live with Regis and Kelly.

Additionally, Friday Night is Champion Chevrolet Night. The first 500 fans in attendance will receive free souvenir pucks. The Rayz weekend continues on Saturday Night with NASCAR Night and Harley Davidson Men's Night, presented by Time Warner and Classic Rock 104.5FM. Corpus Christi will welcome the defending President's Cup Champion, Colorado Eagles for the only meeting this season. The Rayz will wear special NASCAR themed jerseys that will be auctioned off to fans at the game.

Discount vouchers for Saturday's game are available at Corpus Christi Harley Davidson. Plus Harley Davidson will give out free pucks to the first 500 guys in attendance, and Miller Lite will giveaway 1200 koozies to fans at the game. There will also be a special pre-game concert courtesy of Andrew's Distributing along with the Miller Lite Pit Crew Challenge during the game. Join the Rayz this weekend for a pair of home games on Friday at Saturday night at 7:35pm at the American Bank Center. Regular price tickets start at just $10 and are available at all Ticketmaster locations and the American Bank Center Box Office. For more information, please call the Rayz at (361)814-PUCK.

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Central Hockey League Stories from January 16, 2006


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