Unthinkable
08-20-03, 05:24 PM
http://www.hhof.com/html/exSCJ_32.shtml
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Packing in as much as he could in his twenty-four hours, Mike then carried the Stanley Cup into the Cleveland Browns' Training and Administrative Complex, just around the corner in Berea. The football players knew exactly what the Stanley Cup means to the hockey world, and crowded around the revered trophy. Because many of the Browns are so tall and so muscular, the trophy looked like a toy in their hands. "Dawg, look at this," Andra Davis said to no one in particular, pointing to Wayne Gretzky's name. Then Butch Davis, Cleveland's coach, used the Stanley Cup and Mike Rupp's appearance for an inspired talk with the Browns. "Boys, Mike Rupp here wasn't part of the lineup for the New Jersey Devils most of last season. But when his time came, he rose to the occasion and scored the goal that won the championship for his team. You never know when it's going to be your time to shine. Be ready, boys. Be ready!" A chorus of 'Yeahs' came from the Browns' dressing room. They understood.
Mike and Christi and their families planned a party for that evening, and thought it might be fun to invite family and friends for a skate. The Rupp party was held in Strongsville at Iceland USA, a twin-pad arena with a reception area in between the two rinks. Mike had Devils' souvenirs and held a raffle that raised additional money for the Jennifer Ferraro Cancer Fund. Guests wore the rented skates - purple Microns all too common at public skating rinks - and circled the ice with Mike and the Stanley Cup. For some, it was their first time on skates in years, and they clung to the boards around the perimeter of the rink. Mike has been preparing for the 2003-04 season and is a regular at Iceland USA.
The Counting Crows were co-headlining a date with John Mayer at Cleveland's Blossom Music Center that night, and the band's lead singer, Adam Duritz, had asked if there was a way for him to see the Stanley Cup. Unfortunately, it had been a long day and it was too late to make the request happen. Michael Rupp was exhausted. He had packed an incredible number of stops into his day with the Stanley Cup, had enjoyed some fun, shared his victory and raised money for a worthwhile cause. "It's one o'clock and I am done!" A few final photographs and the day came to an end. "It was unfortunate that Joe (Nieuwendyk) was injured but it was a great opportunity for me," Mike explained. "I just wanted to contribute in any way possible. They put me on a line with Jeff (Friesen) and Jamie (Langenbrunner) and our primary role was to keep Anaheim from scoring. But I got a break and got a goal. It was an unbelievable feeling. It still is an unbelievable feeling! If you asked me a year ago, I definitely never thought I'd be hosting a Stanley Cup party!"
.
.
.
Packing in as much as he could in his twenty-four hours, Mike then carried the Stanley Cup into the Cleveland Browns' Training and Administrative Complex, just around the corner in Berea. The football players knew exactly what the Stanley Cup means to the hockey world, and crowded around the revered trophy. Because many of the Browns are so tall and so muscular, the trophy looked like a toy in their hands. "Dawg, look at this," Andra Davis said to no one in particular, pointing to Wayne Gretzky's name. Then Butch Davis, Cleveland's coach, used the Stanley Cup and Mike Rupp's appearance for an inspired talk with the Browns. "Boys, Mike Rupp here wasn't part of the lineup for the New Jersey Devils most of last season. But when his time came, he rose to the occasion and scored the goal that won the championship for his team. You never know when it's going to be your time to shine. Be ready, boys. Be ready!" A chorus of 'Yeahs' came from the Browns' dressing room. They understood.
Mike and Christi and their families planned a party for that evening, and thought it might be fun to invite family and friends for a skate. The Rupp party was held in Strongsville at Iceland USA, a twin-pad arena with a reception area in between the two rinks. Mike had Devils' souvenirs and held a raffle that raised additional money for the Jennifer Ferraro Cancer Fund. Guests wore the rented skates - purple Microns all too common at public skating rinks - and circled the ice with Mike and the Stanley Cup. For some, it was their first time on skates in years, and they clung to the boards around the perimeter of the rink. Mike has been preparing for the 2003-04 season and is a regular at Iceland USA.
The Counting Crows were co-headlining a date with John Mayer at Cleveland's Blossom Music Center that night, and the band's lead singer, Adam Duritz, had asked if there was a way for him to see the Stanley Cup. Unfortunately, it had been a long day and it was too late to make the request happen. Michael Rupp was exhausted. He had packed an incredible number of stops into his day with the Stanley Cup, had enjoyed some fun, shared his victory and raised money for a worthwhile cause. "It's one o'clock and I am done!" A few final photographs and the day came to an end. "It was unfortunate that Joe (Nieuwendyk) was injured but it was a great opportunity for me," Mike explained. "I just wanted to contribute in any way possible. They put me on a line with Jeff (Friesen) and Jamie (Langenbrunner) and our primary role was to keep Anaheim from scoring. But I got a break and got a goal. It was an unbelievable feeling. It still is an unbelievable feeling! If you asked me a year ago, I definitely never thought I'd be hosting a Stanley Cup party!"