Weekly Wraparound 15: Tracking the Stanley Cup - A Trip to Barkov City; Exploring Finland & Sweden!
Welcome back to the Weekly Wraparound, your headquarters for all things Panthers. Here, we eagerly anticipate every puck drop and ensure that style takes the spotlight at center ice.
I'm Kassi Coviello, and I'm inviting you to lace up your skates as we rally around the electrifying wins, penalty kill the challenging lows, and break down every exhilarating moment in between!
Where’s Stanley? Updating You on Where The Stanley Cup Has Been Spotted!
The Stanley Cup has been busy this past week! Check out where the Stanley Cup has been spotted!
The Stanley Cup enjoyed a trip to Finland with Aleksander Barkov, Anton Lundell, Eetu Luostarinen, and Niko Mikkola.
Aleksander Barkov started the trip in Tampere Barkov City, Finland where he transformed his hometown from Tampere into Barkov City! He took the Cup to an amusement park where a stage was set to meet with the community. He then took the Cup out in nature and climbed a staircase where you can typically find him working out. Then, Barkov jump-started his next event with the help of Finnish professional skateboarder, Marius Syvänen, who performed a skateboard trick where he jumped over the Cup.
Barkov posed for team photos with the local junior teams and hosted a meet-and-greet before the main festivities at Nokia Arena.
Barkov’s main event was a celebration at Nokia Arena in front of 15,000 fans. Fellow Finnish teammates Anton Lundell, Eetu Luostarinen, and Niko Mikkola attended along with former teammates Jussi Jokinen and Markus Nutivarra. The event featured a live band, games, comedy, and more, and it was live-streamed for fans worldwide. I enjoyed watching the event, even though it was all in Finnish.
Anton Lundell spent his day with the Cup in Helsinki, Finland. He brought the Cup to Helsinki Ice Hall, where he played with HIFK, a professional ice hockey team in Finland. Tickets were available for the community, allowing Lundell to share the Cup with thousands of fans in attendance. He also spent the day with family and friends, enjoying some Lohikeitto, Finnish salmon soup, out of the Cup. Lundell ended the day with a trip to the sauna.
Eetu Luostarinen enjoyed his day with the Stanley Cup in his hometown of Kuopio, Finland. Luostarinen spent the day with his family and friends at his summer home alongside the lake. Keeper of the Cup, Philip Pritchard, shared a cool photo of Luostarinen hoisting the Cup and his shadow mimicking the pose.
Niko Mikkola enjoyed his day with the Stanley Cup in Oulu, Finland. Keeper of the Cup, Philip Pritchard, shared a photo of Mikkola’s celebration, which included time spent with Jere Lehtinen, a former Dallas Stars player and the first Cup-winning Finn to bring the trophy to Finland. Mikkola also visited the Toripolliisi statue, known in English as "The Bobby at the Market Place."
The Stanley Cup enjoyed a trip to Sweden with Gustav Forsling, Kevin Stenlund, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, and Patric Hornqvist.
Gustav Forsling enjoyed some Swedish cinnamon rolls out of the Cup for breakfast. Then, he took the Stanley Cup on a helicopter ride around his hometown of Linköping, Sweden. Forsling, who was rocking his Panthers jersey, was up in the sky ensuring that the Cup took in all the sights. After returning to the ground, he took the Cup to Saab Arena, where he previously played for Linköping HC in the Swedish Hockey League. He was greeted by many cheering fans excited to witness the Cup in person.
Kevin Stenlund enjoyed his day with the Cup in his hometown of Tumba, Sweden. He took the trophy to the Ishuset Rink, where he previously played. Stenlund shared the trophy with family and friends, returning to where it all began.
Oliver Ekman-Larsson brought the Cup to Dackehallen, an arena in Tingsryd, Sweden. He hosted a public event where the community could come out and see the Cup. In front of a full arena, Ekman-Larsson took the Cup on the ice and reflected on his hockey journey and time with the Florida Panthers. He also spent quality time with family and friends.
Patric Hornqvist, now part of the Panthers front office, celebrated with the Cup in his native Sweden. Having previously won the Cup twice as a player with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Hornqvist now experienced it as a scout and development consultant with the Florida Panthers. He enjoyed the day with family and friends, filling the Cup with candy.
Around the NHL: What’s New This Offseason
New York Rangers captain, Jacob Trouba, unveiled his first art exhibit entitled 'Landing My Mark' which opened at Harper’s Gallery in Manhattan on August 1st. The exhibit will run until August 23rd. Read more here.
Let me know which player’s day with the Cup has been your favorite so far!