Chandler Stephenson is sharing the Stanley Cup with his home country.
The Capitals forward took the trophy north of the border to Humboldt, Saskatchewan, in recognition of the community's strength after the fatal Humboldt Broncos bus crash that claimed 16 lives in April.
Stephenson, a native of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, first stopped at a memorial composed of hockey sticks, crosses, flowers and flags.
#StanleyCup visits Humboldt Broncos memorial site. While their Stanley Cup dreams went unfulfilled, we thought we’d bring Stanley to them. God Bless 🎚 RIP Saskatchewan highway intersection #35 & #335) @NHL @HockeyHallFame @HumboldtBroncos #HumboldtStrong pic.twitter.com/ST3eUfXCIg
— Philip Pritchard (@keeperofthecup) August 24, 2018
A number of the survivors met privately with Stephenson and the Cup before they were introduced to the public.
Helping escort some VIPs to Humboldt this morning. #HumboldtStrong pic.twitter.com/KlUJO2ifKv
— SPS Traffic Unit (@SPSTraffic) August 24, 2018
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
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
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
NHL players, NHL alumni and the kids of Humboldt, Saskatchewan. pic.twitter.com/aLtiPLHe2B
— Nick Cotsonika (@cotsonika) August 24, 2018
The Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League team was bound for a playoff game on April 6 when the bus and a semi-truck collided at a rural intersection between Nipawin and Tisdale. The driver was not hurt, though 16 died and another 13 were injured.
