Cup ready to return for Blackhawks Convention

We first viewed Lord Stanley's Cup on the ice in Philadelphia.

Then the fun began.

It arrived at O'Hare International Airport in the wee hours of the morning, with a quick stop in Rosemont. It greeted a couple of million fans downtown. It posed for a historic picture at Wrigley Field with the Blackhawks, Cubs and White Sox.

The Cup has visited quite a few hot spots in the city, and ventured to the suburbs to make stops in Elk Grove, Hoffman Estates, Barrington and Lombard, to name a few.

The 35-pound silver trophy, the oldest of all trophies for professional sports teams, recently crisscrossed Canada with Blackhawks players, visiting towns large and small and receiving a hero's welcome in all.

It seems like the Stanley Cup has been on the road more than the busiest summer ever for the late Charles Kuralt and the Griswolds combined. And it's got to be getting tired.

As Blackhawks defenseman Duncan Keith said after his whirlwind day with the Cup, "The curfew is midnight; even Stanley has to sleep sometime too."

It better be rested because this weekend it will be back greeting fans by the thousands at the annual Blackhawks Convention at the Hilton Chicago.

But before it sets up shop downtown, and with the help of nhl.com, let's take a look back at some of its recent stops in the Great White North this past month.

Jonathan Toews Hometown: Winnipeg, ManitobaHighlights: When your visit causes a bigger stir than that of the Queen of England's, you know you've hit the big time. That was the case for Hawks captain Jonathan Toews' two days in Winnipeg. He began his trip by visiting with Premier Greg Selinger, who named a lake for Toews. Winnipeg mayor Sam Katz feted him at a ceremony in front of about 1,000 people, saying, "If you want to talk about a true hometown hero, if you want to talk about a role model, I will send you a picture of Jonathan Toews." The Blackhawks captain then signed autographs, took pictures and rode in a yellow Corvette as 10,000 people lined the path.Quote: "I know there are a lot of young players in Manitoba, and for all you young kids out there, keep working and having fun," Toews told the big crowd. "There is no reason to think you can't make this dream come true, too."Troy Brouwer Hometown: Delta, British ColumbiaHighlights: For most players, riding through town on a Zamboni with the Cup would be the highlight of any hometown return. But for Brouwer, the biggest thrill was getting to share the Cup with his parents, particularly his dad, Don, who became ill late last season and whose health weighed heavily on Brouwer during the playoffs.Quote: "My dad started tearing up," Brouwer told the Vancouver Sun. "I'm glad he is able to have time with it."Patrick Sharp Hometown: Thunder Bay, OntarioHighlights: Sharp and the Cup were greeted by about 1,000 fans at the airport, then they headed to the local ice rink where Sharp played junior hockey. He visited with some players, checked out his old locker and signed autographs and posed for pictures. One child arrived late and the ever courteous Sharp stopped his limo driver, got out and spent some time with that child. After visiting a children's center and the Boy's and Girl's Club of Thunder Bay, Sharp and Stanley stopped at a neighbor's house to relax with family and friends.Quote: "There are so many people in this town who have supported me since I was an 8-year-old kid playing hockey," Sharp said. "It's nice to see the people light up when they see the Cup."Duncan Keith Hometown: Penticton, British ColumbiaHighlights: Sporting his new set of choppers, Keith made a stop with the Cup at a local hospital's extended care wing where he made a $10,000 donation before making his way to the local event center where 5,000 fans were there to greet him. He signed autographs and participated in a Q A session and ended his day with a trip to his house and a pontoon ride on the lake out back. Quote: "The thing is, when we get the recognition that Duncan has given us (in Penticton) and when we get the opportunity to present to a young man like Duncan who means so much to us, we're going all out for it and it's an honor for us to give him the key to the city," Penticton mayor Dan Ashton.