fontman
07-14-06, 06:57 AM
Stanley Cup holds 14 beers
July 14,2006
CHRIS MAZZOLINI
DAILY NEWS STAFF
The most important question of the day came minutes after Glen Wesley of the Carolina Hurricanes hoisted the legendary silver cup of Lord Stanley over his head before a crowd of wounded Marines Thursday at Camp Lejeune.
"How much beer does that thing hold?" asked Sgt. Jack Durgala, a Marine who was wounded by an improvised explosive device in Iraq and has been living in Lejeune's Wounded Warriors Barracks since early November.
It's an easy answer, because many hockey players over the years have used the venerated National Hockey League's championship trophy as a beer mug.
"Actually, it holds 14 cans," replied Mike Bolt, the keeper of the cup, who only touches it when he's wearing a pair of white gloves. Fingerprints on the silver surface are for champions only. The Stanley Cup is now in the hands of the champion Hurricanes.
Wesley, an 18-year hockey veteran who has two days with the cup to do with as he pleases, decided to bring it to Lejeune and share it with the Marines.
"I couldn't think of a better place to come and share this with you for all you do for our country," he said. "We are happy to be here today."
Wesley said he owns a beach house in eastern North Carolina, and his numerous trips by Lejeune always remind him of the sacrifices by Marines. So he decided to spend part of his first day with the cup at the base.
While Lord Stanley's Cup has found its way onto military bases before under the escort of the NHL, Bolt said this is the first time a winning player has elected to take it there on his own time with the cup.
The cup itself is 114 years old, but the tradition of allowing members of the championship team to spend some quality time with it began in 1995. Even though it's been going on for little more than a decade, the cup has journeyed to strange and faraway places.
It's been to every state (except Hawaii) and numerous foreign countries. It's sailed the seven seas and climbed mountains and seen the Arctic Circle. It's been to the movies, on snowmobile adventures and late-night benders. And, of course, it's been fine china for a number of dishes.
"It makes a great ice-cream sundae," Bolt said.
Wesley got a chance to answer questions from Marines. They asked him about on-ice fights and how many teeth he's had knocked out. And they exchanged battle stories. Durgala explained the day his legs were severely wounded by a bomb blast. And Wesley's wife told the story of the time her husband was checked into the penalty box and violently shattered his jaw.
"Whoever hit you, we should nickname him the IED," said one Marine.
Wesley and the Stanley Cup aren't the first celebrities to visit the Wounded Warriors Barracks, a place at Lejeune designed so injured Marines can be with their comrades as they recover. Mario Williams of Richlands, the National Football League'a No. 1 draft pick, came to Lejeune earlier this summer. So did Miss USA.
Lance Cpl. Bruce Schweitzer, a 20-year-old from Philadelphia who has been living at the barracks for a couple months, said he appreciates the visits - both by celebrities and average civilians who take the time out to visit the wounded Marines.
"It shows they are taking time away from their life. That's cool," he said. "We appreciate anyone coming in. We appreciate everything."
Schweitzer said he was excited to see the cup because "you don't know what's been in that thing." He also said that while he watched the Hurricanes in the playoffs, he's a Philadelphia Flyers fan all the way.
"I stick by my team," he said. "I'm no groupie."
July 14,2006
CHRIS MAZZOLINI
DAILY NEWS STAFF
The most important question of the day came minutes after Glen Wesley of the Carolina Hurricanes hoisted the legendary silver cup of Lord Stanley over his head before a crowd of wounded Marines Thursday at Camp Lejeune.
"How much beer does that thing hold?" asked Sgt. Jack Durgala, a Marine who was wounded by an improvised explosive device in Iraq and has been living in Lejeune's Wounded Warriors Barracks since early November.
It's an easy answer, because many hockey players over the years have used the venerated National Hockey League's championship trophy as a beer mug.
"Actually, it holds 14 cans," replied Mike Bolt, the keeper of the cup, who only touches it when he's wearing a pair of white gloves. Fingerprints on the silver surface are for champions only. The Stanley Cup is now in the hands of the champion Hurricanes.
Wesley, an 18-year hockey veteran who has two days with the cup to do with as he pleases, decided to bring it to Lejeune and share it with the Marines.
"I couldn't think of a better place to come and share this with you for all you do for our country," he said. "We are happy to be here today."
Wesley said he owns a beach house in eastern North Carolina, and his numerous trips by Lejeune always remind him of the sacrifices by Marines. So he decided to spend part of his first day with the cup at the base.
While Lord Stanley's Cup has found its way onto military bases before under the escort of the NHL, Bolt said this is the first time a winning player has elected to take it there on his own time with the cup.
The cup itself is 114 years old, but the tradition of allowing members of the championship team to spend some quality time with it began in 1995. Even though it's been going on for little more than a decade, the cup has journeyed to strange and faraway places.
It's been to every state (except Hawaii) and numerous foreign countries. It's sailed the seven seas and climbed mountains and seen the Arctic Circle. It's been to the movies, on snowmobile adventures and late-night benders. And, of course, it's been fine china for a number of dishes.
"It makes a great ice-cream sundae," Bolt said.
Wesley got a chance to answer questions from Marines. They asked him about on-ice fights and how many teeth he's had knocked out. And they exchanged battle stories. Durgala explained the day his legs were severely wounded by a bomb blast. And Wesley's wife told the story of the time her husband was checked into the penalty box and violently shattered his jaw.
"Whoever hit you, we should nickname him the IED," said one Marine.
Wesley and the Stanley Cup aren't the first celebrities to visit the Wounded Warriors Barracks, a place at Lejeune designed so injured Marines can be with their comrades as they recover. Mario Williams of Richlands, the National Football League'a No. 1 draft pick, came to Lejeune earlier this summer. So did Miss USA.
Lance Cpl. Bruce Schweitzer, a 20-year-old from Philadelphia who has been living at the barracks for a couple months, said he appreciates the visits - both by celebrities and average civilians who take the time out to visit the wounded Marines.
"It shows they are taking time away from their life. That's cool," he said. "We appreciate anyone coming in. We appreciate everything."
Schweitzer said he was excited to see the cup because "you don't know what's been in that thing." He also said that while he watched the Hurricanes in the playoffs, he's a Philadelphia Flyers fan all the way.
"I stick by my team," he said. "I'm no groupie."