For one day Nico Laforge was the keeper of the cup.
The Temiscaming, Quebec native celebrated his day with the Memorial Cup on Thursday as he brought the historical trophy to Philippe Barrette Park in Temiscaming from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday.
The celebration comes as Laforge's Saint John Sea Dogs QMJHL team captured the Memorial Cup title this spring.
"It was really special for me to be able to bring the cup to Temiscaming," Laforge told BayToday.
"It’s always an honour to be able to give back to my community and share my experiences with everyone. It’s an awesome feeling seeing all the smiles from the younger kids. I hope i can be some kind of an inspiration for them in there pursuit of their goals. I’m really happy of the turn out from the event and i really appreciate everyone who came out."
Denis Lacourse was one of the many area residents to stop by and get a photo with Nico and the Memorial Cup.
"Nico's smile was so broad that I'm sure he had to use some aloe vera to take the smile off his face," chuckled Lacourse.
Lacourse won a centennial medal in honour of his commitment to sport - namely hockey - in the small Quebec border town that celebrated its 100th anniversary this summer.
See related: Temiscaming hockey steaming with success
The last time a Temiscaming resident captured the Memorial Cup was Richard Lemieux, who won it with the Montreal Jr. Canadiens back in 1969 and 1970.
"We are just so proud, it was a great feeling," he said.
"Everybody was congratulating Nico and his mom and his dad, pictures, and autographs. It was only for two hours but it was a pretty hectic two hours.
"It was pretty cool to actually see it but I don't think in 1971 when Richard Lemieux won it that they had the privilege to bring it to their hometowns."
Scott Huycke made the trip from North Bay to see Nico and the Cup. Huycke was his AAA hockey coach with the North Bay Trappers the year he was drafted by the Sea Dogs.
"I am very proud of Nico and happy for him having the opportunity to live that experience last season," said Huycke.
"Nico is an exceptional young man and leader who has many great moments ahead of him."
Laforge was not the only Temiscaming resident sporting Saint John Sea Dogs attire on Thursday. In fact, another Temiscaming area product, Justin Robinson, was drafted by the Sea Dogs this spring shortly after the Memorial Cup was handed out. .
"Although I resisted to touch the cup following hockey tradition and superstition," a big goaltender who played in Brantford last season.
"it was a surreal feeling seeing it right in front of me as it is one of the goals for me in the next chapter of my hockey career.
"It was also a great experience for the Temiscaming community and the minor hockey association to gather and see the Memorial Cup up close and personal thanks to Nico Laforge and the Saint John Sea Dogs," continued Robinson, a former North Bay AAA Trapper like Laforge.
On Friday, Nico passes the trophy along to teammate Phillipe Daoust, who is taking the cup to Noelville to celebrate with the community of the Junior 'A' team he played for, the French River Rapids, before moving up to the QMJHL. Daoust is also a signed prospect with the Ottawa Senators.
