25 most insane things people have ever done with the Stanley Cup
11. Ray Bourque returns to Boston
This story shows how unbelievably championship-deprived the city of Boston once was. You wouldn’t believe it today, but there was a time that this city celebrated a Stanley Cup won by the Colorado Avalanche.
Ray Bourque is one of the NHL’s greatest defensemen in history. He played 22 NHL season, 21 of which were with the Boston Bruins. Unfortunately for him and the city, none of those Bruins teams won a Cup.
Bourque would request a trade in his 21st season, to which the Bruins obliged and sent him to the Colorado Avalanche. He led the Avalanche to their first division title, but they were ousted from the playoffs by the Dallas Stars in Game 7 of the Western Conference final.
Bourque would return for one final season in 2000-01 with the Avalanche. They would return to the playoffs, this time making it to the Stanley Cup final. Bourque and the Avalanche defeated the New Jersey Devils and team captain Joe Sakic invited Bourque in to lift the Cup first.
Instead of spending his day with the coveted trophy at home with his family, in his pool, or at a bar, Bourque brought the Cup to Boston for a day to share it with the city that gave him so much (and he gave so much to).
From the #WBZ archives: Ray Bourque brings the Stanley Cup back to Boston on June 13, 2001 #Bruins #Avalanche pic.twitter.com/RQbIUMszzJ
— Joe Giza (@JoeGiza) May 30, 2017
It was a truly touching moment that 20,000 fans showed up to attend. Bourque would retire before the next season having accomplished everything he wanted to in his career. He was a first ballot hall-of-famer and is still regarded as one of the greatest defensemen of all time.
Would have been nice if he would have won the Cup in Boston, though.