Johnson's Stanley Cup appearance draws more than 1,000 fans in Spokane

Tyler Johnson took the Stanley Cup for an afternoon visit with fans, though the hundreds that came out started lining up outside Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena well before his arrival.

Johnson, a Spokane, Washington native, didn't have the chance to take the Cup back to the Evergreen State last summer because of COVID-19 restrictions. But he more than made up for it with a big event on his 31st birthday. Of the roughly 1,000 people who showed up on Thursday, about 500 were able to get photos with the storied trophy,
according to
local reports.
"I just want to say thank you for all the support over the years," he told the crowd. "Spokane is, and always will be, my home."

Before he was a two-time Stanley Cup champion with the Tampa Bay Lightning, Johnson played for the Spokane Chiefs of the WHL from 2007-2011, and won a Memorial Cup with them in 2008. Johnson was undrafted and signed with the Lightning in 2011. He
was traded
to the Chicago Blackhawks on July 27.
"Everyone here is obviously so proud of Tyler and the ambassador he has become for the Spokane Chiefs and the city of Spokane as a whole," Spokane Chiefs managing partner Bobby Brett
told The Spokesman-Review
ahead of the event. "For him to offer the Cup for this kind of event, especially when he gets it to himself for just 16 hours, is really special."
In addition to the public appearance, Johnson took the Stanley Cup out on a boat and the golf course, up on a firetruck ladder, and to a more intimate gathering with family and friends.