Growing up, like many Canadian children, Matt Murray dreamed of hoisting the Stanley Cup over his head.
Last month, at just 22 years of age, the former Soo Greyhounds goaltender got to live out his dream, backstopping the Pittsburgh Penguins to their fourth National Hockey League championship triumph.
Murray, who wasn’t born when the Penguins captured their first two titles in 1991 and 1992, on Tuesday shared that dream with thousands from his hometown of Thunder Bay, spending part of his day with the Stanley Cup at a public ceremony held in the cramped quarters of the Intercity Shopping Centre’s promotion’s court.
It’s a dream come true, said Murray, who also took the Cup to the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre for an afternoon visit with patients before hosting private celebrations with family and friends.
The public event is a fantastic way to show thanks to a community that has supported him throughout his journey to the NHL.
“It’s exciting. I’ve seen many other guys do it, especially here. That’s a luxury you have in Thunder Bay, you get to see the Cup it seems like a whole lot, with how many good players we have here,” Murray said on Monday before the Penguins flag was raised above the Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame.
“It was always a dream of mine to be one of those players who could bring the Cup home and celebrate with the city.”
It still feels a little surreal, more than a month after the Penguins captured the trophy in San Jose, a 3-1 Game 6 win over the Sharks.
During the magical playoff run, Murray tied an NHL rookie record, winning 15 postseason games, just months after making his NHL debut, a year after being named the American Hockey League’s top goaltender.
“It’s something I’ve dreamt about for so long. I’m very excited,” he said.
Travis Godick, his daughter Raegan and son Gavin were first in line to get their pictures snapped with Murray.
Their dad arrived at 6:30 a.m., his kids joining him a few hours later.
“That means my dad’s really awesome,” Raegan said.
“I like coming to see the Cup because we usually come to see it every time it comes and we watch hockey all throughout the winter.”
Her younger brother, decked out in Penguins gear, said he loves seeing the Cup in Thunder Bay.
“Hockey’s an awesome game.”
Travis Godick said it’s become a bit of a family tradition.
“I don’t think they understand the significance or magnitude of this at this age, but hopefully one day they will and we’ll have a nice collage of pictures and photos.
“Hopefully the Cup keeps coming home every year, but you just don’t know, it could be years again before it comes back.”