Stanley Cup Coming to Middletown Arts Center, Thursday, July 30

From Midletown Public Information:

MIDDLETOWN – Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Trevor van Riemsdyk is bringing hockey’s Holy Grail home to Middletown.

The Stanley Cup will be at the Middletown Arts Center on Thursday, July 30 from 2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Everyone is welcome to stop by to congratulate van Riemsdyk, a Middletown native, and snap a few photos of the coveted cup. The Middletown Arts Center is located at 36 Church Street. Free parking is located in the daily lot across the street.

“It’s been a tremendous year for hockey in Middletown. High School North captured its first state hockey title. We welcomed the Junior Titans, a North American Hockey League affiliate, to the township. Now Trevor van Riemsdyk, a professional National Hockey League player, is coming home with the Stanley Cup. It’s inspiring,” said Mayor Stephanie C. Murray.

Van Riemsdyk was a standout player at Christian Brothers Academy, located in the Lincroft section of Middletown, before going to New Hampshire to play junior hockey.

The Cup was last seen in Middletown in 2010 with another Middletown native, Mike Haviland. He was Assistant Coach for the Chicago Blackhawks at the time.

Tradition dictates that each member of the winning team gets personal possession of the Cup for a day. The tradition dates back to 1995 when the New Jersey devils allowed personal possession of the Cup for a day. The Cup has logged more than 400,000 miles in the past 5 season alone.

Chicago Blackhawks Coach Mike Haviland Brings Stanley Cup Home to Middletown August 30

For all you Hockey fans out there here's you chance to see the NHL's Championship trophy the "Stanely Cup" Monday afternoon.

I saw it in person a number of years ago after the Devils won the NHL Championship, it was pretty cool see the Cup in person and looking at the rings for all for the names and dates of all the teams that had won the NHL Championship in the past.

The following announcement is posted on Middletown's website:

Chicago Blackhawks Assistant Coach and native Mike Haviland is bringing home the Stanley Cup! Haviland and The Cup will be at the on Monday, August 30th from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The Stanley Cup will be on display for photographs. Coach Haviland will sign autographs.

Haviland grew up in Leonardo section of town. He attended , and High School South. Havililand played youth ice hockey for the Monmouth Hawks and Essex County Chiefs. He also played roller hockey in the Middletown Youth AA Roller Hockey League.

Coach Haviland is in his second season as an assistant coach for the Chicago Blackhawks after being named to the coaching staff on July 23, 2008. As part of the Blackhawk’s 2010 Stanley Cup Championship, Haviland came to after spending three seasons as head coach of two of the organization’s American Hockey League affiliates. Haviland began his professional coaching career as an assistant for in 1999 after an injury cut his playing career short. Haviland was a first round pick by the NJ Devils in the 1990 NHL supplemental draft. Haviland also played college hockey for and was named to the 1990 “All America Team” and played junior hockey in the Ontario Hockey Association.