WEYBURN — The “Holy Grail” of professional hockey, the Stanley Cup, made a stop in Weyburn on Sunday afternoon, courtesy of a team scout for the Florida Panthers, Reid Jackson, who played his hockey growing up in Weyburn.
Both he and his father Les are staff with the Panthers, as he is a scout, and father Les is a senior advisor to the general manager, and as such, his name is engraved onto the Cup.
The Cup on display at Crescent Point Place was the same trophy for the on-ice presentation to the Panthers after they defeated the Edmonton Oilers in a hard-fought final series that went the full seven games.
“A lot of hours were spent in this rink,” said Reid, noting he played all of his minor hockey here, including atom and peewee up to bantam, playing for the Crescent Point Wings.
Following his minor hockey years, he played in the WHL for the Lethbridge Hurricanes and the Moose Jaw Warriors.
He began as a scout for the Calgary Flames, working part-time while he attended university, spending a total of five years with them before going over to the Florida Panthers. He worked first as a scout of amateur players, then as a professional scout in the last couple of years.
Reid noted he came to see the Red Wings on occasion as well other teams as he evaluated players looking for talent. He also looked at other NHL teams and their farm teams as he searched for good talent for the Panthers.
His father Les was also at Crescent Point Place, as was his brother Brock and his two nieces, Keira and Kate, who both play minor hockey here in Weyburn.
Those wanting to get a photo with the Cup made donations, which will all go to the Weyburn Minor Hockey Association.
Following the opportunity for the public to see the Cup, Reid had a few former teammates and coaches join him for a private time together at the rink with the Cup.
The Stanley Cup had been at Dauphin, Man., just prior to coming to Weyburn, and after it left here the Cup was taken to Edmonton for its next stop.
