Okposo gets to hoist Stanley Cup in hometown after delay

Panthers forward has to wait out global IT outage, finally gets hands on trophy

okposo cup
By Dan O'Leary
@DanOLeary25 NHL.com Staff Writer

Kyle Okposo waited 17 NHL seasons to get his hands on the Stanley Cup. A few more hours weren't going to hurt.

The Florida Panthers forward got to raise the trophy after all despite a massive global IT outage Friday that caused numerous flights to be grounded, including the Cup's. Okposo's previously planned event had to be canceled due to the chaos.

But, much like the Panthers in the 2023-24 season, Okposo would not be denied the Cup.

The veteran forward showed off the trophy proudly in his native St. Paul, Minnesota, in front of a general store flying a Panthers banner.

The photo was shared by the Hockey Hall of Fame's Phil Pritchard, the Keeper of the Cup, after what had to be a long day.

Nevertheless Okposo and some locals made the most of it. As he and many, many others can attest, when it comes to holding the Cup, better late than never.

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