By Jim Brown
jim@peicanada.com

The stands were packed at the O’Leary Community Sports Centre when the Stanley Cup arrived early Wednesday afternoon, part of Scotiabank Hockey Day in Canada celebrations held across PEI.

Hundreds of children, escorted by RCMP officers in ceremonial red serge, posed for pictures at centre ice.

Upstairs at the rink visitors got a chance to cast their ballots for the best of eight Stanley Cup replicas, crafted by students at O’Leary Elementary School as part of a “Copy the Cup” contest. 

The Cup’s next stop after O’Leary was Abram Village.

Captions:

Members of the O’Leary Maroons girls team pose next to eight Stanley Cup replicas submitted by O’Leary Elementary students for the “Copy the Cup Contest” at the O’Leary Community Sports Centre. The players, from back, left, are Madison Smallman, Bailey McNeill, Mackenzi Wallace and Jackie Harris, and, front, from left, Madeline Smith and Cassie Wallace.

Jim Brown photo

The stands were packed for the arrival of the Stanley Cup to the O’Leary Community Sports Centre Wednesday afternoon.

Jim Brown photo

Phil Prichard, vice president and curator of the Hockey Hall of Fame, wheels the Stanley Cup, in its protective case, through one the O’Leary Community Sports Centre’s doors to its place of honour at centre ice. 

Jim Brown photo

Hundreds of youngsters enjoyed the thrill of a lifetime posing for pictures next to the Stanley Cup.

Jim Brown photo