Tom McVie waited more than five decades in hockey to get his hands on the Stanley Cup.
For 12 hours on Wednesday, the Vancouver resident and Boston Bruins scout will have the historic trophy — and he will use the bulk of that time to share the experience with fans and friends in the Vancouver-Portland area.
That includes a 90-minute appearance at Mountain View Ice Arena in Vancouver, where for a suggested donation of $10 to assist youth hockey in Vancouver, the public can view and take photos of the trophy. The timeline has the Stanley Cup arriving at the rink around 3:30 p.m. and departing at 5 p.m.
McVie’s time with the Stanley Cup will begin in Pioneer Courthouse Square in downtown Portland, where the Portland Winterhawks will host a special event between noon and 1:30 p.m.
From there, McVie plans to take the Cup to a friend’s carpet store in northeast Portland before arriving at Mountain View Ice Arena. McVie later plans to take the Cup to Sinnot’s Lil’ Cooperstown, a Portland sports tavern where in the 1960s he and many of his Portland Buckaroos teammates hung out. He will spend the last few hours of his day with the Cup privately, sharing it with family.
Bob Knoerl, general manager at Mountain View Ice Arena, said the Cup will be displayed on the mezzanine level at the rink. He said the suggested donation of $10 for viewing the Stanley Cup will go to help start a youth hockey program at the rink.
McVie, 76, has lived in Vancouver for two decades. He has worked for the Bruins for 17 seasons, the last 11 as a scout. He has spent 55 years in professional hockey as a player, coach and scout. This is his first Stanley Cup championship.
The Stanley Cup dates to 1893, and has been awarded to the National Hockey League champion since 1926. The 1994 New York Rangers started a tradition of giving each player and staff member the opportunity to spend a day with the Cup.
The Cup spent Tuesday in Sherwood, southwest of Portland. Jim Benning, the Bruins’ assistant general manager who played for the Portland Winterhawks, has a home in Sherwood.
In June, the Bruins won Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals by beating the Vancouver Canucks in Vancouver, B.C.
Wednesday’s Stanley Cup visit
Public viewing opportunities (times approximate):
Noon to 1:30 p.m. at Pioneer Courthouse Square in downtown Portland. Hosted by the Portland Winterhawks. Fans can begin lining up at 11:30 a.m.
3:30 to 5 p.m. at Mountain View Ice Arena, 14313 S.E. Mill Plain, in Vancouver.
5:30 to 7 p.m., Sinnott’s Lil Cooperstown Pub, 5851 N.E. Halsey St. in Portland.
