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.

Related Content

Summer with Stanley blog

Tkachuk has ‘really special’ day bringing Stanley Cup home to St. Louis

Tkachuk eats lunch with Stanley Cup at local St. Louis restaurant

Mehta celebrates Stanley Cup championship at alma mater in New Jersey

Zito takes Cup fishing, poses on boat with catch

Best food dishes eaten out of Stanley Cup

Short Shifts

Blackhawks sport Winter Classic equipment during practice 

Short Shifts Power Rankings: December 20

Brady Tkachuk excited to ‘show off Ottawa’ in Season 2 of 'FACEOFF: Inside the NHL'

Andy Cohen talks Blues fandom, New Year's Eve with NHL on TNT crew

Stars welcome Make-A-Wish kid to practice, warmups

DeBrincat receives sweet birthday hug from son before Red Wings game

Goal of the season? Mangiapane pulls between legs move for impressive goal

Lightning honor Vasilevskiy for 500th NHL game

Joseph brothers participate in 'awkward family photoshoot' trend

Matthews gets a little help from McCabe, Maple Leafs bench after losing skate blade

Red Wings celebrate Talbot’s 500th game milestone with pregame ceremony

Save of the Season? Ullmark uses his paddle to rob Karlsson of goal 

Flames forward Lomberg gets Stanley Cup ring from Panthers

Devils welcome Sirens to home arena with jerseys

Short Shifts Power Rankings: December 13

Lightning reunite with young fan battling brain cancer in Calgary

Unsuspecting mom of Canucks forward wins massive 50/50 prize

NHL Cultural Celebrations/Community Theme Nights blog