Jared Bednar Gets Day With The Cup

Jared Bednar understandably developed an affection for South Carolina. He played and coached for the South Carolina Sting Rays, winning championships in both roles. His main residence is in the state.

That’s where Jared Bednar had his day with the Stanley Cup, today. He will have it in his possession until tomorrow.

NHL.com writer Tom Gulitti was there and took some pictures:

Jared Bednar won the Kelly Cup with the South Carolina Stingrays as a player (1997, 2001) and coach (2009). Today the Colorado Avalanche coach returned to the Stingrays practice rink with the Stanley Cup.
(He also coached Lake Erie to the Calder Cup in 2016) pic.twitter.com/9Ax1iLAqFD

— Tom Gulitti (@TomGulittiNHL) July 19, 2022

Jared Bednar takes time to talk about the Cup and point out certain details to almost every fan. pic.twitter.com/SGthMB0jEf

— Tom Gulitti (@TomGulittiNHL) July 19, 2022

Fans are lined up to get their photo with Jared Bednar and the Cup pic.twitter.com/orL8mpYr2a

— Tom Gulitti (@TomGulittiNHL) July 19, 2022

Jared Bednar’s day with the Stanley Cup begins at Carolina Ice Palace in Charleston, SC pic.twitter.com/P8xfuWzCWP

— Tom Gulitti (@TomGulittiNHL) July 19, 2022

By the way, how cool is it that the NHL does this, giving players and coaches a full day with the Stanley Cup, wherever they want it?

And, how cool would it be to have that job, the one Phil Pritchard has? He’s the official Keeper of the Cup. His literal job is to go wherever the Cup goes. What a job. I want that job.

Here is more on Pritchard, with stories told by him on his previous days with the Cup with two previous Stanley Cup teams.

The Stanley Cup is absolutely the most famous trophy in sports, a magnet to all of humanity. Wherever the Cup goes, people smile and laugh and want pictures with it. Does anyone do that with the Major League Baseball championship trophy? Or any other sport? No.