Local name etched into cup

Photo: Contributed

There are about 3,000 names on the Stanley Cup – give or take.

Now, 65 years after Wayne Hicks had his name etched on Lord Stanley Cup's mug, a second Central Okanagan name will will join him.

Justin Schultz, who grew up and played his minor and junior hockey in West Kelowna, will get his name engraved on the cup.

Schultz is a member of the Pittsburgh Penguins, who beat San Jose 3-1 Sunday night, winning the cup in six games.

The Stanley Cup, heck, even the playoffs, looked to be a pipe dream for Schultz as he began the season with the Edmonton Oilers.

But, with the Oilers out of playoff contention, his fortunes changed. On Feb. 27, the 25-year-old former Westside Warriors' defenceman was dealt to the Penguins for a 2016 third-round draft choice.

He had a goal and seven assists in 18 regular season games in Pittsburgh and four assists in 15 playoff games, including a helper on the Penguins first goal in Sunday's cup-clinching win.

And with each player on the winning team getting a day with the cup, it's likely the Stanley Cup will make a return trip to the Okanagan for a fifth straight year.

Duncan Keith brought the cup to Penticton after winning it in 2013 and 2015 with the Chicago Blackhawks. And former Kelowna Rockets goaltender coach Kim Dillabaugh brought it to Kelowna in 2012 and 2014.

Dillabaugh was a goaltending consultant with the LA Kings, who won the cup those years.