UPDATE: TAYLOR HALL BRINGS CUP TO HIS ‘ADOPTED HOME’ FOR RINK AND COTTAGE PARTY TONIGHT ON LAKE MUSKOKA
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com
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MUSKOKA — Call it the “Cottage Cup.”
Or maybe the “Baby Cup.”
Taylor Hall brought the Stanley Cup to Muskoka today and hoisted it just six weeks after doing likewise June 14 when he scored the winning Carolina goal at home in Game 6 over Vegas to claim the NHL’s most coveted Cup.
On a wet Bracebridge morning fit only for hundreds of Hurricanes fans who gathered outside Muskoka Lumber Community Centre cheering him on as he carried the Cup into the rink past adoring fans who he encouraged to “touch it.” And for many to get his autograph and have a photo with him.
Including baby Blakey Buttigieg, a two-month-old from Barrie who sat her tiny butt in the Cup to Hall’s amusement.
Matt Nigro, of Burk’s Falls, was one fan, with his son Carson, 11, was prominent wearing big Blue Jays jersey.
OK, so what’s a Jays fan doing here cheering?
“Got to support them,” said Nigro, who said his uncle Frank Nigro played with Wendel Clark, Darryl Sittler and the Leafs. “I built his cottage.”
It was NHL veteran Hall’s first chance grabbing the Cup again from the back of a black mini-van as part of his day with the Cup.
After more than 90 friendly minutes with fans he dashed down to Gravenhurst for ride on the Wenonah II, where they made a stop at his Lake Muskoka cottage.
“My second home,” he called it.
To be followed at his cottage this afternoon and evening with a party with family and friends.
No word yet on whether he hoisted the Cup or waved going by Mitch Marner’s cottage in Walker’s Point.
“Muskoka has become my adopted home this summer, he said beforehand. (He trains in Bracebridge with former NHLer Sam Gagner’s Muskoka Hockey, which is popular with NHLer and aspiring pros).
“So I wanted to try and give back any way I can,” he added as every official wanted their photo with him.
Livin’ his, every kid’s dream
Just before the kids came in I caught a minute with him and he told MuskokaTODAY.com he was livin’ the dream of every kid and parent in the room.
Did you have breakfast in the cup this morning, did you?
“I just got it 5 minutes ago.”
So what are the plans for the rest of the day?
“We’re gonna go on the Wenonah II. Then we’re going to do a little cruise, and then we’re gonna just party at my house.”
“We’re taking off on the ship around 12:30. We’re out on the water for about 2 hours.”
So how’s it feel to have the Cup all by yourself for a full day? Anything like raising it after Game 6?
“Yeah, I’m super excited to see the kids and the look on their faces when they see it, for”
Are you training now summer?
“Yeah, I live here in the train here. I live on Lake Muskoka.”
You going to see your cottage on your Wenonah II cruise this afternoon?
“The boat’s gonna stop at my dock.” (It was checked for the water depth.)
Oh, that’s cool, eh? So you looking forward to the season, of course? And feeling good?
“Yeah, yeah, can’t wait to start playing.”
That must have been something to score the game winner for the Cup?
“Yeah, I mean it was a dream come true to see the Cup on the ice after. Yeah, it was awesome. It was great.”
When does camp start?
“I don’t even know?”
For now he’s just happy to enjoy the day.
“Having a good time today.”
And livin’ his dream, eh?
See slide show below for more photos, click photo for cutlines.
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