The Inside Scoop: Guentzel's Cup Day

When Jake Guentzel lifted the Stanley Cup over his head on June 12 at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville following Pittsburgh's 2-0 win over the Predators in Game 6 of the Final, he couldn't get over how surreal it was.
He had that same feeling just over a month later when he lifted the Stanley Cup over his head on July 14 at HealthEast Sports Center in his hometown of Woodbury, Minn., during his day with the trophy.

"It was so weird to just see it and be able to hold it with your friends and family," Guentzel told Penguins.com on Friday. "Obviously it was fun and something you dream about. As the day went on, it got more and more fun."
The day did get off to somewhat of a rough start, as the Cup was delayed getting into town. It didn't arrive until noon, and Guentzel was scheduled to take the trophy to the rink for a public appearance from 1-3 p.m.
"My parents were freaking out, so it made it a little more stressful," he laughed.
Fortunately, they had planned ahead for any delays, and they live a mere five minutes away from the arena - "just down the street," as Guentzel said. Ultimately, Guentzel said it wasn't a difficult decision for him to take the trophy there, as that's where he played all of his youth hockey - from mites through bantams - for the Woodbury Royals.
"Just I think growing up there and the hours I put in at that rink and how much Woodbury Hockey Association did for me, I think it was an easy decision for me to go there," he said. "And the turnout was unbelievable. To see all those kids smile and realize that they're excited to see it, it made it fun for me and my family."
After the hundreds of people in attendance took photos with Guentzel and the Cup, he took the chalice to Ray J's American Grill to meet with the Hendrickson Foundation, which seeks to grow the game of hockey by including individuals with mental and physical disabilities.
"It was fun to see all those kids and the excitement that they had there," he said.
After those public appearances, it was time for Stanley to get quality time with family and friends. Guentzel took it to StoneRidge Golf Course, where he, his dad Mike, mom Sally and brothers Ryan and Gabe are all members.
"We went golfing with it, and the eighth hole goes right up to the events center, so we just hung out at the events center all night until midnight when the Cup left," Guentzel said. "We were at the golf course for a while just having some fun."
Guentzel joked that Sally "invited everyone" to the party, so there were a couple hundred people in attendance. That included 12 out of 14 teammates he played with his junior year at the University of Nebraska-Omaha and all of the coaches he ever had growing up in Woodbury.
"It was hard to get to everyone, but it was a good, fun night and something to remember," he said.
Guentzel was calling from that same golf course, where they were getting in another round to celebrate Ryan's 31st birthday. He's incredibly close with his family, and the pictures he took with them yesterday are what he'll always cherish.
"I wouldn't be there without them, so I think you just look back at those photos over the years and realize it's a special moment and it's something you'll always remember," he said.
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