In the streets of Chicago, two million Chicago Blackhawks’ supporters lined up for a ticker-tape parade to celebrate the hockey team’s Stanley Cup championship on Friday.
Blackhawks teammates Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane hoisted the historic Stanley Cup trophy during a parade route that ended at a stage constructed next to the Chicago River.
“The Cup’s here and we’d love it to stay here a little longer,” coach Joe Quenneville said.
The NHL title was the first for the Blackhawks since 1961 and the city’s fourth hockey title overall.
“It’s been a long season,” forward Patrick Sharp said.
“We’ve got a goalie (Antti Niemi) who can stand on his head. We’ve got a lot of guys good at scoring goals. One guy is good at singing songs,” he said.
The stormy weather forecast held off long enough for the celebration to take place.
One of the oldest sports trophies in the world, the Stanley Cup was first given in 1892 to Canada’s top hockey team. The trophy has been with the NHL since 1926 and the Chicago Blackhawks are among the hockey league’s founding franchises.
