Stenlund celebrates with Stanley Cup in Sweden, where it all began
Stenlund celebrates with Stanley Cup in Sweden, where it all began
Veteran forward, now with Utah Hockey Club, takes trophy home
© Janne Bengtsson
Kevin Stenlund continued the Stanley Cup’s tour through Sweden on Saturday by bringing the trophy back to where it all started for him.
The forward, now with Utah Hockey Club after helping the Florida Panthers to the 2024 Cup title, showed off The Greatest Trophy in All of Sports at the Ishuset rink in Tumba, Sweden, where he cut his teeth in the game.
It was an emotional moment for Stenlund, who held the event for family and friends to get a glimpse of the Cup.
© Janne Bengtsson
“There’s a lot of emotions right now,” Stelund said at the event. “Friends and family are here, and everyone else I know. There are many people here who I have known for a long time and who have always stood up for me. … It’s really emotional and it means a lot to me.”
Stenlund couldn’t have imagined a better place for the Cup than the rink, a short drive south of Stockholm, where he was born.
“It’s a way to pay tribute to all those who have stood by us over the years, who really made this possible. I mean, all the memories I have from here, all the days I spent here, all the practicing hours, the games,” Stenlund said. “This place means a lot to me. And if I were to give any advice to all the young boys and girls here now, it would be to do what you think is fun. If you want to exercise six hours a day, do it. Just be sure to have fun and to enjoy every second of it.”
© Janne Bengtsson
After basking in the glow of a championship, Stenlund will be starting anew in Utah come this season.
“It’s a new city, a new environment and a new team. But everything seems to be great,” he said of signing with Utah. “They are all in for it and they want to win.”
NHL.com International correspondent Janne Bengtsson contributed to this report
