Is a Stanley Cup a hockey player’s holy grail?

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To be fair, it may also depend on who you cheer for, and how much winning a Stanley Cup with said organization would mean, and how much value that would carry.

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Of the 24 players who were asked whether they would win a Stanley Cup with their favourite NHL team, or an Olympic Gold Medal with Team Canada, a surprising 17 of the 24 went with Gold over Lord Stanley.

Six of the 24 are fans of the Edmonton Oilers, three are Toronto Maple Leafs fans, and three are fans of the Calgary Flames, while the Montreal Canadiens, Winnipeg Jets, and Vancouver Canucks each have a single fan, to round out the Canadian teams.

Other fans include four for the Pittsburgh Penguins, two for the Chicago Blackhawks, and one each for the Colorado Avalanche, Boston Bruins, and Detroit Red Wings.

Of the 15 fans of teams North of the border, four chose a cup, while three chose Stanley, of the nine American teams’ fans.

According to Mustangs’ players, this past season, here are some reasons why they ultimately chose one over the other.

Reasons for Olympic Gold:

“Olympic Gold for sure, the guys are right, it’s just a way bigger tournament and deal, and you’re playing against the best in the world,” said forward Noel Englot.

“Olympic Gold because there’s nothing better than representing your country,” added defenceman Darren Hunt.

“Olympic Gold because the whole country is watching you, it’s not just one city,” continued forward Ethan Hamilton.

“A Stanley Cup would be cool, but I think an Olympic Gold is just at the top,” forward Luke Mackenzie told northeastNOW.

“Olympic Gold is just a higher stage,” explained forward Connor Ewasuk.

“Representing your country is just something special, it’s every young hockey player’s dream,” mentioned forward Kaleb Binner.

“Wearing the Team Canada crest just means something else,” stated forward Jack Mcharg.

“Winning an Olympic Gold medal is like the coolest thing in the world,” concluded defenceman Tao Flory.

Meanwhile, reasons for a Stanley Cup:

“Being with your team, and just winning that, it would be awesome,” said forward Tristin Ziola.

“Every kid’s dream when they grow up is to win the Stanley Cup, I didn’t grow up watching the Olympics as much, I watched a lot more NHL, so I’d have to say a Stanley Cup,” added goaltender Madden Mulawka.

“I’d say a Stanley Cup because Canada wins quite a bit, and the Leafs really need one,” defenceman Bo Eisner pointed out.

“Stanley Cup with the Penguins because I think the Olympics isn’t as cool as the Stanley Cup,” explained forward Dru Mushumanski.

“Stanley Cup for sure, because doing it with David Pastrnak (favourite player) would be an honour,” continued goaltender Kason Kobelka.

“The Stanley Cup because it’s the hardest trophy to win in sports,” mentioned forward Austin Shepherd.

“A Stanley Cup all day because it’s never made its way to Winnipeg, and I’d love the chance to bring it there,” concluded defenceman Carter Bilous.

Compelling arguments for both sides as 16 NHL teams currently battle for the right to hoist Lord Stanley, while countries around the world will have to wait nearly another four years to play for the next Olympic Gold.

The hope is that at least one, if not more, will soon see their favourite team win a Stanley Cup, or see Canada win gold in 2030. And maybe, someday, at least one of said players will get the chance to play for either or both in their career(s).

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Ben.Tompkins@pattisonmedia.com

On X @BenTompkins_8