When Nazam Kadri was a six-year-old, he would skate on the ice in front of the Victoria Park band shell.
On a beautiful summer Saturday, thousands of people watch as he hoisted the most famous trophy in sports in that very same band shell.
Kadri, a member of the 2022 Stanley Cup champion Colorado Avalanche squad, brought the Cup to not only the park, but also the London Muslim Mosque.
It’s the first time the Cup has ever visited a Mosque. Kadri brought the trophy with him on a parade route east on Oxford to Richmond, and then north on Richmond to Victoria Park, where he addressed a large crowd.
“You’ve been supporters of mine from day one and I can’t tell you how much that means to me,” Kadri told fans at the park.
The event was hosted by Jeff Marek of Sportsnet. Speakers included Mark and Dale Hunter of the London Knights, London Mayor Ed Holder, Kadri’s father Sam and Kadri himself.
Kadri was also presented a key to the city by councillors Mariam Hamou, Mo Salih, Shawn Lewis and Deputy Mayor Josh Morgan.
“It’s hard not to future trip sometimes, especially when you’re so close. Your mind is scattered a little bit,” Kadri said when asked how far into the Avalanche playoff run he started thinking about a day with the Stanley Cup in London. “I’ve learned that you just have to worry about the present and that specific moment.”
Kadri’s summer included more than just a Stanley Cup celebration.
He also signed a new seven year, $49-million deal with the Calgary Flames.
Kadri ended his remarks by telling the crowd he wanted to “run it back” next summer and win the Stanley Cup with the Flames.
