Stanley Cup Champ Bringing Trophy Home to Bolton

BOLTON, CT — Stanley Cup champion Ron Hainsey, who grew up skating at the Bolton Ice Palace, will return to his old stomping grounds Monday to display one of the most coveted trophies in all of professional sports.

Hainsey, 36, whose name will be forever etched on the Stanley Cup as a member of the 2016-17 National Hockey League champion Pittsburgh Penguins, will bring the celebrated prize to the rink on Route 6 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. He will be available for photos, but will not be signing autographs. The event is open to the public.

In 1994, the New York Rangers initiated a tradition wherein each member of the Cup-winning team is allowed to retain the Cup for a day.

Bolton Ice Palace is home to the Eastern Connecticut Hockey Organization (ECHO), as well as several high school hockey teams.

"ECHO and Ron Hainsey have teamed up with the Bolton Ice Palace to celebrate sports' greatest trophy," rink owner Bob Crawford said. "Ron and his family, who grew up playing with ECHO at the Bolton Ice Palace, haven't forgotten where they started and are having each ECHO player and team see the Cup up close on the rink where Ron developed his skills and love for the game. We would like to thank Ron, his family and ECHO for what will be a wonderful experience for the ECHO kids."

Hainsey, a first-round draft choice of the Montreal Canadiens in 2000, just completed his 14th NHL season. The defenseman had played in 891 career games with the Canadiens, Columbus Blue Jackets, Atlanta Thrashers, Winnipeg Jets and Carolina Hurricanes without ever making the playoffs before being traded to the Penguins in late February, where his team not only made the postseason but captured its second straight Stanley Cup, and fifth overall.

Following the season, Hainsey signed a two-year contract as a free agent with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Photo credit: Bruce Bennett/Getty Images