Story by
Grand Forks Herald
Behind the scenes of Jackson Blake's day with the Stanley Cup
- Story byGrand Forks Herald
- Behind the scenes of Jackson Blake's day with the Stanley Cup
Jul. 31—EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. — Jackson Blake spent his day with the Stanley Cup in the Twin Cities on Thursday, celebrating with family, friends and former teammates.
Blake won the Stanley Cup last month with the Carolina Hurricanes.
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Every member of the Stanley Cup-winning team gets to spend a day with it wherever they want.
Blake chose to take the Cup to several spots in the Twin Cities.
The Cup's first stop was Eden Prairie Community Center, where Blake played games as a member of Eden Prairie High School. He won a state championship with the Eagles in 2021.
It was a public event. About 1,200 fans stood in line to take pictures with Blake and the Cup.
Blake also walked the Cup onto the ice and held it over his head for a photo.
After a little more than two hours there, they loaded the Cup on a bus and made a 15-minute stop at Bearpath Golf and Country Club in Eden Prairie.
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Then, it was on to Lake Minnetonka, where more than 100 friends and family joined the party.
Some of Blake's Eden Prairie High School teammates were with him, including Carter Batchelder, Luke Mittelstadt and Mason Langenbrunner.
Former UND head coach Brad Berry also was at Lake Minnetonka to celebrate with Blake.
Blake filled the Cup with High Noons and helped his friends and family members take drinks from it.
Blake took the Cup out for a 45-minute boat ride on Lake Minnetonka, too.
A little after 7 p.m., the Stanley Cup traveled to Maynard's in Excelsior, Minn.
That's when most of the UND crew showed up — both those who played with Blake and those who preceded him.
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Among those in attendance: Ryan Duncan, Taylor Chorney, Zach Parise, Cameron Berg, Mark Senden, Chris Jandric, Clarke Saunders, Owen McLaughlin, Paul LaDue, Zane McIntyre, Gage Ausmus and Kristo, who is now one of Blake's agents.
UND head coach Dane Jackson also was at Maynard's.
Blake, who turns 23 years old on Monday, just completed his second full season in the NHL.
He led Carolina in scoring in the playoffs, tallying seven goals and 20 points in 19 games. Blake had a goal and an assist in Carolina's 3-0 Stanley Cup-clinching Game 6 win over Vegas.
On Friday, the Stanley Cup moved to Owatonna, Minn., for Carolina Hurricanes scout Eric Fink. He is the regional scout who advocated for drafting Blake in the fourth round in 2020.
On Saturday, the Cup will be back in the Twin Cities for Carolina Hurricanes defenseman K'Andre Miller of Minnetonka, Minn. Miller joined Blake's party at Maynard's.
