A developing story from Thunder Bay: Jordan Staal, the regional capital-born captain of the 2026 Stanley Cup champion Carolina Hurricanes is bringing the trophy to the community this weekend, giving fans a chance to see the Cup — and the Conn Smythe Trophy, which Staal also won this year — up close at the regional capital Citizens Auditorium on Saturday.
"As always, it's a free and open event," declared Diane Imrie, executive director of the Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame, adding doors open at 10 a.m., and the actual event itself will run from 10:30 a.m. "Due to time constraints, of course, we want to get as many people through as we can, so there's no autographs going to be available at that point, but an opportunity for people to have their photo taken with Jordan and the Stanley Cup," Imrie advised. "It's a hard end at 12:30 because Jordan only has the day," she noted.
"He'll be celebrating with his family and friends, and who knows where else." Imrie indicated that the last time Staal brought the Stanley Cup to the Lakehead (he also won it in 2009 with the Pittsburgh Penguins) he also brought it to the Hoito, and the Northwoods League All-Star Game at Port Arthur Stadium. For Saturday's event, the community recommends people arrive early. Parking will be available at the Canada Games Complex, Port Arthur Stadium, and Port Arthur Arena lots, as well as on the street, the community remarked in a release. "It's such an iconic piece of sport history," she remarked.
"It's a pretty amazing thing.
"It's a pretty amazing thing. I've seen it in the Hockey Hall of Fame." "I've had the chance to be down there on a few different occasions, and watching all the people. They just are so drawn to it." Jordan Staal's older brother Eric also won a Stanley Cup with the Hurricanes in 2006. Kris Ketonen is a reporter with CBC Thunder Bay. Send story ideas to kris.ketonen@cbc.ca. It is a priority for CBC to create products that are accessible to all in Canada including people with visual, hearing, motor and cognitive challenges. Closed Captioning and Described Video is available for many CBC shows offered onCBC Gem..
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📍 Source: CBC News Thunder Bay · By: CBC News Staff · 🗓️ August 08, 2026 · 🏠 ThunderBay.Online
