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

opinion As Trump burns through cash, powerful Republicans are rallying behind a surging candidate
With less than 50 days until Republican voters begin the process of determining their nominee to take on President Joe Biden, political analyst Eric Ham writes about a storm brewing within the GOP -- as super-donors align behind a surging candidate who could pose a threat to frontrunner Donald Trump.
4 in custody after 'brutal' death of Quebec entrepreneur, partner in Dominica
Four people are in police custody after Quebec businessman Daniel Langlois and his partner Dominique Marchand were found dead in Dominica.
Speaker Fergus apologizes, faces calls to resign over 'personal' video played at Ontario Liberal event
House of Commons Speaker Greg Fergus apologized to MPs on Monday about a 'personal' video tribute message played this weekend at the Ontario Liberal Party leadership convention, but two opposition parties say that's not enough and are now calling for him to resign over his 'unacceptable' participation in a partisan event.
Escaped kangaroo found safe after 3 days on the loose in Ontario
A kangaroo that escaped the Oshawa Zoo during a one-night stay last week has been recaptured after more than three days on the loose.
CBC says it is cutting 600 jobs, some programming as it slashes budget
The Canadian Broadcasting Corp. and Radio-Canada will eliminate about 600 jobs and not fill an additional 200 vacancies. The cuts at CBC come days after the Liberal government suggested it may cap the amount of money CBC and Radio-Canada could get under a $100 million deal Ottawa recently signed with Google.
Driver arrested after nearly hitting pro-Palestinian demonstrator in Victoria
A driver was arrested in Victoria on Sunday after nearly hitting a protester with a car during a pro-Palestinian rally outside the B.C. legislature.
Short-term rentals have 'significantly impacted' housing affordability: Desjardins
A Desjardins report suggests short-term rentals likely contributed to the housing affordability crisis in Canada and around the world.
Canada's foreign interference commissioner unveils parties granted standing in inquiry
The Government of Canada as well as the Conservative and New Democratic parties are among the nearly two dozen entities granted standing to participate in the national public inquiry into foreign interference in Canadian elections and democratic institutions, Commissioner Marie-Josee Hogue revealed Monday.
NDP calling on Liberals to establish special immigration measures to help Canadians with families in Gaza
The federal NDP is urging the Liberals to immediately create special immigration measures to allow the evacuation of extended family members of Canadians and permanent residents in Gaza.