Willie Mitchell Takes The Stanley Cup To New Heights

by Katey Berman
in NHL
— 13 Aug, 2012

Los Angeles Kings defenseman Willie Mitchell finally got his day with the Stanley Cup on Sunday. Winning the Stanley Cup is an enormous accomplishment and excitement for any hockey player, but for Mitchell, it had a little extra significance. He first entered the league in 1998 and spent thirteen seasons seeking the Cup. At 35 years old, he worked day in and day out to accomplish that goal by being the number one shut down defenseman for the Kings all season long. He had one of the best seasons of his career and certainly earned his very special moment with the Cup.

For part of the day, Mitchell brought the Cup to his hometown of Port McNeil, British Columbia, a small town of about 2,500 people (but around 6,000 actually showed up to see the Cup). He then headed to the top of Vancouver Island’s Mount Waddington, where a helicopter captured this unbelievable photograph. I can only imagine how special that moment must have been for him. I guess when you spend fourteen years in the league, fantasizing about this moment, you come up with a pretty sweet idea of where to take it.