Editorial: Let's jump at the chance to show off our community once again

We're going to get a rare treat on Sunday.

The Stanley Cup is coming to town.

Brayden Pachal, a defenceman with the Vegas Golden Knights of the NHL, is bringing Lord Stanley's treasured trophy to the Energy City, and there's going to be several activities planned.

Vegas could have up to 52 names engraved on the Cup, including players, coaches, executive leadership and more. Pachal didn't meet the minimum requirements (40 games played in the regular season or one Stanley Cup final game) to automatically qualify, but he means so much to the organization that they wanted his name on the Cup. Consequently, he gets a day with the greatest championship trophy in team sports.

When he was asked by the Mercury where he would bring the Cup if given the chance, he said unequivocally it would be Estevan, because it's where he's from, where he learned the game, where he found his love for the sport and where he still has so many family and friends.

We've had visits from the Stanley Cup before, but this is almost certainly the first time a player has chosen Estevan as the focal point of their celebration.

There's something special about when the Stanley Cup comes to a smaller community. It's been in the big cities before. Lots of times. But smaller communities don't always get the same opportunity.

When Carlyle's Jim McKenzie had his day with the Cup after winning it with the New Jersey Devils in 2003, it was a huge deal for that town. (The trophy did spend some time in Estevan before going to Carlyle).

When the Stanley Cup visits, it's not just the player and the hardware that are coming. They're the featured attraction, of course. But you get a visit from the keeper of the Stanley Cup, which might just be the coolest job in the history of sports – travelling the world, escorting the Stanley Cup, and getting to see the excitement of the player, family, friends and fans.

The Golden Knights have been in all of these communities, documenting the visits and showcasing the excitement. And so when the Golden Knights have footage from Estevan, hopefully, they'll capture the excitement of the community. 

So many people have seen us at our best in the past couple of years. We've had provincial, Western Canadian and national sporting events. We've enjoyed concerts and other special entertainment.

And while this is something different, it's still a showcase of Estevan for those from outside of the community that we can make memorable.

It's going to be a great day for Pachal, his family and friends, former coaches and teammates and so many people who helped him along the way.

But for each person who is here for the first time, even if it's for just a day, let's make it sensational for them. When they look back on the summer, they can reflect on how they had a special time in Estevan, with a large turnout of fans for the barbecue, the parade, the autograph session, the trophy viewing and the community skate.

Who knows whether Pachal will get to do something with the trophy that is trending on social media. Often there will be one or two very unique moments that a player or a team member will have with the Stanley Cup. It's already been on a yacht this summer. Another player had a photo taken of his young children seated in the bowl of the cup.

What's of greater importance, though, is the response from the community, rather than the amount of responses generated on social media.

We've had a good run of talent coming through the Estevan area over the past few years, with several players born here or who played their minor hockey here getting drafted into the NHL or signing as free agents with NHL clubs. But there's no guarantee the Stanley Cup will be back here for a while, and there's definitely no guarantee it will be brought back by a victorious player.