Stanley Cup replica roaming Alberta while Edmonton Oilers fans await the real thing
Like many Oilers fans, Shane Osepchuk has fond memories of the 1980s and 1990s teams that won the Stanley Cup. Unlike most fans, he was a part of those Stanley Cup celebrations.
Osepchuk’s father, Dwayne, was a member of the Oilers' equipment personnel. He was in the dressing room with Wayne Gretzky and Mark Messier and worked hand in hand with Edmonton’s beloved Joey Moss. He also brought Lord Stanley home after the 1988 and 1990 celebrations.
Shane Osepchuk, left, holds the Stanley Cup with his father Dwayne, who worked on the Edmonton Oilers' equipment team during the 1980s and 1990s, including when the team won the cup in 1988 and 1990. (Credit: Shane Osepchuk)
Osepchuk says he didn’t know how lucky he was to have that experience as a teen.
“As a kid going to games in the ‘80s, all the people used to say to me, ‘You’re a very lucky kid.’ But we didn’t know what kind of hockey we were watching. It was dynasty hockey,” he told CTV News Edmonton in a recent interview.
It’s been more than 30 years since then. To keep those memories alive, and to pass them on to his own kids, Osepchuk bought a replica of the cup.
At 35 pounds of resin and wood, instead of stainless steel, “it’s an exact replica with the same weight and size as the one we know today,” Osepchuk said.
However, he says his kids didn’t react to holding the cup how he expected, so he sold it this spring. It landed in Drayton Valley, southwest of Edmonton.
“We just want this to go to a good home,” Osepchuk said. “It’s sort of a sentimental thing because we did have it in the ‘80s.”
Shane Osepchuk, left, drinks out of the Stanley Cup as his father Dwayne holds it. Dwayne worked on the Edmonton Oilers' equipment team during the 1980s and 1990s, including when the team won the cup in 1988 and 1990. (Credit: Shane Osepchuk)
Now, he’s hoping the real Stanley Cup will return to Edmonton for a sixth time.
“It’s a first-class organization so I’m a fan for life.”
The Oilers will continue their quest for the cup on Wednesday in Vancouver.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Infant dies in ATV crash, N.S. RCMP says alcohol may be a factor
An infant has died and three others, including another child, were taken to hospital following an ATV crash in Forties, N.S., on Monday.
'Do not drive': Nissan warns Canadian drivers of explosion risk impacting 48,000 vehicles
Car manufacturer Nissan has issued a do-not-drive warning for some older vehicles equipped with Takata airbag inflators, due to the risk of explosion during a crash.
BREAKING Jury deliberations begin in Donald Trump's hush money criminal case
Jury deliberations began Wednesday in Donald Trump’s hush money trial, putting the outcome of the historic case in the hands of a dozen New Yorkers who have vowed to be fair and impartial in the face of their unprecedented task.
Tessa Virtue reveals she's expecting her first child. Here's what Canadians had to say
Canadian figure-skating icon Tessa Virtue is expecting her first child, she revealed via social media Tuesday.
P.E.I. kiteboarder 'lucky to be alive' after shark attack in Turks and Caicos
A professional kiteboarder from P.E.I. says he has been seriously injured in a shark attack that occurred while he was snorkelling in the Turks and Caicos Islands last week.
'Scandals and secrets': On board the world's most exclusive private residential ship
It’s a floating city exclusively home to the 1 per cent, a playground for multimillionaires and billionaires that circumnavigates the world's oceans.
What weather experts say to expect this summer in Canada
Get ready to feel the heat, Canada. Weather experts are predicting more sunshine and warmer temperatures for the summer.
Canada announces $11B for military aircraft training
Canada has announced an $11.2-billion contract to improve training platforms for the military, including the purchase of 70 training aircraft for the Future Aircrew Training program.
CNN exclusive: A federal grand jury may soon hear from Sean 'Diddy' Combs' accusers
Federal investigators are preparing to bring accusers of music mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs before a federal grand jury, two sources familiar with the probe tell CNN — signaling the U.S. Justice Department is moving toward potentially seeking an indictment of Combs.