The Stanley Cup Rides on the Ferry
Vegas Golden Knights Share the Glory of the Stanley Cup with the Cape May-Lewes Ferry
Captain Harkin with Lord Stanley's Cup.
Lord Stanley's Cup traveled on the M/V Cape Henlopen from Cape May to Lewes, July 17, 2023, on the 4:30 departure. In 1995, a tradition began within the National Hockey League provided the Stanley Cup-winning team the honor of having the trophy for the following year. During this year-long celebration, individual members of the team and their organization have 24 hours each to bring the Cup back to their "hometown."
Katy Boettinger, Vegas member who brought the honor of the Stanley Cup on ferry.
"They say the best part of the journey isn't the destination. It's the journey itself... [it's] so very true when you're on the Ferry... When the weather's nice, you're out on the deck and watching the dolphins, the ospreys, the waves."
Katy Boettinger of the Vegas Golden Knights
Katy Boettinger, is the Director of Hockey Administration for the Vegas Golden Knights, is a native Jersey Girl who wanted to share the glory with the Jersey Cape community. She contacted the Cape May-Lewes Ferry A week in advance to discuss the visit, logistics, security.
The Cup was quietly brought on board with a security escort and Cup Handlers (Walt Neubrand and Howie Barrow). Once safely in the salon, a table was prepared, and the Cup was displayed for all to see. Passengers and crew members lined up to take a picture with the enormous silver chalice. People were starstruck!
Gianni and Justin two hockey fans from Syracuse headed to Rehoboth for vacation.
The response was incredible. The legendary trophy's mere presence immediately transformed the salon's energy and atmosphere. People were excited to take photos with, or near, the trophy while expressing their gratitude and honor that such a rare occasion was shared with them. We're so thankful and honored that Katy was open to sharing this experience.
Laura and L’oreal from Maryland
How Did This Happen? The Cup on the Ferry?
If you are how Katy even thought of the Ferry, here's a little background Katy began her career in the NHL with the Washington, D.C. Capitals before heading to Las Vegas. Her position within the NHL is remarkable, as Katy is one of less than 20 women named on the Stanley Cup.
Left to right: Howie Barrow, Walt Neubrand The Hall of Fame Cup escort team and Katy Boettinger. In front is the Stanley cup within its travel case.
As "a Jersey girl," she knew there was no place she would rather take it than back home to the East Coast! She spent part of her day at The Ugly Mug in Cape May. Next, they arrived at the Ferry for a ride across Delaware Bay to visit her parents' home in Delaware. This is the first time the Cup has been on two ferry rides during one year, the first being the ferry to Martha's Vineyard in Massachusetts where he Cup stayed in its secure case for the duration of that trip.
While in transit, the Stanley Cup must stay within its secure case. Because of the pre-visit planning that Katy undertook with our team, she got consent from the NHL and the team - with the security provided by the Delaware River and Bay Authority Police Troop 2, to display the trophy while underway across the Bay. The combined efforts of Katy, the team, the NHL, and the DRBA allowed our passengers and crew to bask in the silver glow of the Cup.
"Every crossing is a blessing, unforgettable. I couldn't think of any better way to spend my day with the Cup than to share it with other passengers who, regardless of the team they follow, are taking part in the same journey."
Katy Boettinger
Troop 2 DRBA police pictured with the Cup.
Fun and Interesting Facts About the Stanley Cup
- Only winners with their names engraved on the Cup for that year can hoist it above their head and eat or drink out of the Cup. No average Joe can eat a shrimp cocktail out of the Cup. This honor can only be earned or bestowed by the winner to someone they deem worthy.
- Babies have been baptized in the Cup. The first was Sylvain Lefebvre's daughter after the Colorado Avalanche won in 1996
- The NHL allows the winning team to spend 100 off-season days with the Cup, but who was the first to give each player a day with it? The 1994-95 New Jersey Devils made the tradition what we know today.
- There are over 2,000 names engraved on the Cup. When the bottom band becomes full, the oldest band is removed and preserved in the Hockey Hall of Fame, and a new blank band is added to the bottom.
- This is the closest the Cup has been to Philadelphia since 1975… officially.
- The youngest and oldest players to win the Stanley Cup were both Detroit Red Wings. The youngest player was Larry Hillman 18 years old in 1955. Chris Chelios was the oldest player to win the Cup at age 46 in 2008.
Ferry passengers Kathy, Angel, and Toni Detroit Red Wing fans from Michigan.