BILLINGS – Those who follow hockey are likely aware of one of the coolest traditions in sports. The NHL’s Stanley Cup winners, after celebrating, disperse their giant championship trophy individually to players throughout the year.
Call it a little one-on-one time.
In fact, a lot of people inside the winning organization typically get their day with the Stanley Cup.
Would that hold true for former Billings Bulls athletic trainer Mike Muir, now an assistant trainer with the Las Vegas Golden Knights?
During an interview with MTN Sports before Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final against the Washington Capitals, Muir expressed as much.
“Yeah, typical tradition is, if they could make it possible to get a day with the Cup, they’d get a day with the Cup,” Muir said. “But sometimes, demand is so high with everyone because scouts get it, coaches get it, players get it, so they have to try to fit it in within that schedule.”
Of course, Muir admits any alone time with the Stanley Cup is better than no time.
“You might only get a half day,” he said. “It helps if you live somewhere, or you’re going to host somewhere, where someone else is nearby so they can do a very simple transfer. Yeah, I’d definitely be eligible to get a day with the Cup, for sure.”
And what would he do with it?
“Ahhhhhh,” he pondered, “you know, I’ve thought about it. I don’t want to think a lot about it, because I think that’s going to jinx me.”
So he’s keeping his plans close to the vest.
The Golden Knights are just three wins from capturing the Cup, but so is Washington with the series tied at one.
Game 3 is Saturday in Washington televised live on NBC Sports Network at 6 p.m. MDT.
