Hawks president brings Cup to Elk Grove Village
With lots of important work to do, Chicago Blackhawks team President John McDonough recently sent a memo to his staff telling them "The party's over" - but not today.
Following the tradition by which every team member gets one day with the Stanley Cup, today is McDonough's chance to do what he wishes with the hockey trophy. McDonough's wish is to bring the cup home to Elk Grove Village.
The man who helped bring Chicago Cubs-style marketing to the National Hockey League has lived in Elk Grove Village for 26 years and raised three children there with his wife. He works out daily at the Pavilion fitness center.
"Everybody (on the team) gets a day with the cup, and I couldn't think of a better destination," he said. "Elk Grove is one of the best-kept secrets. It's a wonderful place to raise a family."
In the past, players have taken the Cup out partying, drinking from it, baptizing a child in it, feeding a dog from it. The Hawks' Patrick Kane reportedly was trying to meet women with it in Hollywood.
McDonough's plans are to share it where he lives and where he grew up.
First, he'll bring the Cup to Edison Park on Chicago's Northwest side, where he was born and raised, for a rally at 12:30 p.m. at Brooks Park, 7100 N. Harlem Ave.
He has some other private events scheduled, but wouldn't divulge them for fear of drawing a huge crowd.
"The magnetism of the Cup," he said, "is incomprehensible."
Then at 6 p.m., McDonough will ride with the Cup on a float at Elk Grove's annual Rotary Fest parade. The route will go down Elk Grove Boulevard from Tonne Drive to Lions Boulevard, playing the Hawks' celebration song "Chelsea Dagger" along with a few strategic goal celebration horn blasts.
It will go slowly enough that everybody should be able to get a picture of it, officials said. But there generally will be no touching of the Cup by the public, and certainly no hoisting of the Cup by fans. Two gloved representatives of the Hockey Hall of Fame will escort the cup everywhere to ensure its safety.
Elk Grove Village Mayor Craig Johnson and village trustees will be riding on the float as well.
"These guys take it very seriously, with a lot of reverence and respect," Johnson said, "and we're going to show that respect as well."
After the celebration, it will be back to work for McDonough and his crew, who have to prepare for the National Hockey League draft June 25 and the Hawks convention starting July 30.
<p class="factboxheadblack">Tracking the cup</p>
<p class="News">By tradition, each player and member of management with the Chicago Blackhawks gets a day to spend with the Stanley Cup. There's even a Twitter site where you can track its progress: twitter.com/wheresthecup. Here's a sampling of reports on where it's been since the Hawks claimed it: </p>
<p class="News">Dinner at Bistro 110.</p>
<p class="News">Chicago Board of Options Exchange (CBOE).</p>
<p class="News">Seven Bridges Golf Club in Woodridge.</p>
<p class="News">Children's Memorial Hospital.</p>
<p class="News">At night clubs in Hollywood.</p>
<p class="News">"The Tonight Show with Jay Leno."</p>