The Stanley Cup comes to West Lorne for Kraft Hockeyville Celebration
West Elgin Secondary Student (WESS) Jak Beattie couldn’t believe he was getting this close to hockey’s Holy Grail.
“Stanley Cup here is amazing, this is my first time seeing it in person and it’s mind blowing that is happening right now,” says Beattie, who also plays hockey in the West Lorne Minor Hockey Association.
The Stanley Cup made its rounds in the West Elgin community Tuesday, with a number of stops including the afternoon visit to WESS.Buffalo Sabres Mascot SabreTooth at the Kraft Hockeyville celebration in West Lorne, Ont. (Source: Brent Lale/CTV London)
“I’m excited for the game, and the whole school gets to so see the practice in the morning, so it’s really exciting,” says Estee Fodor, 17, who plays hockey for the Bluewater Hawks.
The trophy was in town as part of the Kraft Hockeyville community celebration.
“There is so much energy here,” says Bill Denning, West Elgin councillor.
“It’s such a wonderful positive thing for our arena that provides service for all three communities of Rodney, West Lorne and Dutton. Neighbours, friends and new people who have come to the community in the past couple of years can come together and congratulate each other for all our hard work”.
Tuesday afternoon the organizing committee offered a free skate, food trucks, games, and a meet and greet with NHL Alumni Darcy Tucker (Toronto Maple Leafs) and Rob Ray (Buffalo Sabres).Buffalo Sabres Alumni Rob Ray (Right) poses with a fan during the Kraft Hockeyville celebration in West Lorne, Ont. (Source: Brent Lale/CTV London)
“A lot of people never get to go watch a game, and this will be their first opportunity to watch an NHL game,” says Ray.
“It’s great for the community and a lot of alumni grew up in small towns, and any time they can give back, they love doing it”.
Wednesday morning, school children will take in the morning skate in St. Thomas, Ont.
In the evening, more than 1,500 community members will be able to watch the preseason game between the Buffalo Sabres and Toronto Maple Leafs.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories

Live updates Israel and Hamas trade blame for ceasefire's end as combat resumes
Israel resumed fighting in Gaza minutes after a temporary ceasefire deal ended, and accused Hamas of having violated the truce. Hamas blames Israel, saying it declined offers to free more hostages.
Filmmakers in Bruce Peninsula 'accidentally' discover 128-year-old shipwreck
Yvonne Drebert and Zach Melnick were looking for invasive mussels when they found something no one has laid eyes on for 128 years.
NHL veteran Perry apologizes for 'inappropriate' behaviour, says he is seeking help
Corey Perry says he has started seeking help for his struggles with alcohol following his release from the NHL's Chicago Blackhawks.
Jaw-dropping video shows collapse at Coquitlam, B.C., construction site
Emergency work is underway after a collapse at a Coquitlam, B.C., construction site that was caught on camera this week.
Alternative healer faces manslaughter charge over woman's death at a U.K. slapping therapy workshop
An alternative healer who advocates a technique known as 'slapping therapy' was charged Thursday over the death of a woman at one of his workshops in England seven years ago.
Blasted by Bloc, Conservative MP apologizes for asking minister to speak English
Conservative MP Rachael Thomas has apologized after drawing criticism from other members of Parliament for asking Heritage Minister Pascale St-Onge to answer questions in English at a committee meeting.
B.C. man tries to appeal driving ban by claiming his designated driver crashed his Mercedes, fled the scene
B.C.'s Supreme Court has upheld a 90-day driving ban for a man who refused to give a breath sample after crashing his Mercedes into a ditch – rejecting his claim that an "unnamed designated driver" was behind the wheel and fled the scene.
Suspect arrested in Morocco could be behind Ontario bomb threats, OPP says
Investigators have 'strong reason' to believe that a suspect taken into custody in Morocco could be behind numerous bomb threats across Ontario in early November, police say.
'The only choice': Defence Department going with Boeing to replace aging Aurora fleet
The federal government is buying at least 14 Boeing surveillance planes from the United States to replace the aging CP-140 Aurora fleet, cabinet ministers announced Thursday. The deal costs more than $10.3 billion in total, including US$5.9 billion for the jets themselves, and the planes are expected to be delivered in 2026 and 2027.