Quebecer Roberto Luongo took advantage of his time at the Stanley Cup to take a trip to the arena named after him in the Saint-Léonard district of Montreal on Wednesday.
It was a great opportunity for people to take photos with Luongo, who is special advisor to General Manager Bill Zito of the Florida Panthers, and the prized National Hockey League championship trophy.
Little Nico Romano in particular had this chance, surrounded by some members of his family, including his father Claudio.
“Just seeing the Stanley Cup and being able to show the trophy to my little boy, even though he’s too young to recognize it, is extraordinary,” the father said. It will give him a beautiful memory and a beautiful photo.”
Remember, Luongo earned his first NHL win on June 24, when the Panthers defeated the Edmonton Oilers after the seventh and final game of the finals.
Although he never won a Stanley Cup as a goalie, Luongo ranks fourth in NHL history with 489 regular-season wins. He has 56 wins in the playoffs, including 15 with the Canucks in 2011, when the Vancouver team lost the deciding game to the Boston Bruins.
Family pride
Because Luongo wanted to focus on taking as many photos with fans as possible, he was not available to meet with the media during the event at the arena. He also planned to enjoy a Stanley Cup meal later during a private evening at his brother Fabio’s restaurant, Bella Italiana.
“His favorite dish in my restaurant is gnocchi poutine with braised veal, and that’s exactly what he wants in one piece,” said Fabio, smiling. Every summer when he comes with his family, they all can’t wait to eat it, because there is no such thing in the United States.”
“We are really proud. We have followed him throughout his career and suffered so much with him when he lost in the final [en 2011]added his brother. It was always his dream to win the Stanley Cup. Now that he’s retired as a goalie, it’s nice to see his emotions as he finally managed to win it for himself.”
After Luongo, it is Sylvain Lefebvre, assistant coach of the Panthers, who will spend a day with the Stanley Cup on Thursday.
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