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ESTEVAN — For the first time, a hockey player born, raised and developed in Estevan has won the Stanley Cup.
Defenceman Brayden Pachal was part of the Vegas Golden Knights team that won the NHL’s championship June 13. Vegas crushed the Florida Panthers 9-3 in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup final to win the best-of-seven series 4-1.
“It was probably the most surreal thing that I’ve ever been a part of,” said Pachal. “The last week has kind of been a blur, but it’s just so cool and I’m grateful to be part of this and get that opportunity.”
The Knights were up 6-1 after two periods on Friday night. At that point, Pachal and the other Knights who were not dressed went down to the locker room to join their teammates.
“The vibe in the dressing room was ‘We’re going to win the Stanley Cup tonight.’ It was pretty cool to just go down there and see how already – even though there was still another period - how happy and excited the guys were to first of all, have a good strong third period, but knowing that it’s pretty unlikely they’re going to score five goals on us with the kind of team that we had,” said Pachal.
It was stressful watching the games, so having the cushion made it more enjoyable knowing it was going to happen.
Pachal donned his No. 94 jersey and was in the hallway waiting for the game to end. All of the players then rushed on the ice and swarmed Knights’ starting goalie Adin Hill for the celebration.
“Everybody was just waiting for that final buzzer [to sound] to go live a childhood dream,” said Pachal.
He was the last of the Knights’ players to hoist the Stanley Cup before the cherished trophy was handed over to the team’s coaches, management and owner.
“Teddy [Teddy Blueger] gave it to me, and I looked at it, and then completely blacked out. I don’t really remember what I did with it. It was just a super surreal moment and pretty emotional.”
He was thinking about his parents, Kent and Rhonda, the opportunity they gave him to play and the drive they gave him to reach the NHL.
Different nightclubs and restaurants have reached out to the Knights about having a visit from the Stanley Cup, and festivities have been planned for The Strip each night, including a parade Saturday.
“The parade was something that I never could imagine. It was crazy. So many people there, and I couldn’t picture a better scene for the parade.”
Sidewalks and walkways were packed. He’s not sure how many people were there, but he wouldn’t be surprised if it’s close to a million.
People from the Estevan area have been sending their congratulations over the past week. It’s taken him a few days to get back to everybody, but he wants to make sure he does.
“Everybody played a role in getting me here, and I’m really appreciative of that,” he said.
He’s not sure whether he’ll get to spend a day with the Stanley Cup but if he does, he said he would bring it to Estevan. He wasn’t a big part of the team during the playoff, but he’s grateful the Knights gave him the opportunity to be on the ice afterwards and they made him feel like he earned it as much as anyone.
The Knights have had a winning mentality since reaching the NHL, he said. They reached the Stanley Cup final in their first season in 2018, and owner Bill Foley once said the Knights would win the Stanley Cup within six seasons.
“When we’re at training camp, we know that it’s a good team. And obviously health and everything plays a factor,” Pachal said.
Depth is a big part of their success, he said. It’s been tough to crack the lineup, as the defence has been referred to as the best in the league by some. The Knights are tough to play against, talented and experienced.
“I think it’s the backbone of that team. The depth up front, in my opinion … might be the best in the league,” he said.
Pachal was called up by Vegas from their American Hockey League affiliate, the Henderson Silver Knights – where he is the team captain – before the start of the Stanley Cup playoffs. He played in one game in the playoffs, in the clinching game of the first-round series against the Winnipeg Jets.
