In an annual tradition, the Stanley Cup, widely regarded as the most famous trophy in sports, is on its summer tour. For the second consecutive year, the Florida Panthers are hosting the cup after defeating the Edmonton Oilers in the Stanley Cup Final.
— Florida Panthers (@FlaPanthers) August 2, 2025
A unique aspect of the Stanley Cup tradition is that each player on the winning team gets to spend a day with the trophy. While some players enjoy lighthearted celebrations, others choose to use the opportunity for a more personal tribute. Panthers rookie Mackie Samoskevich, a native of Sandy Hook, Connecticut, chose the latter.
Samoskevich, who attended Sandy Hook Elementary School as a child, was a year removed from the school when a tragic mass shooting in 2012 took the lives of 20 students and six staff members. This horrific event left a lasting impact on Samoskevich, who decided to bring the Stanley Cup to the Sandy Hook Elementary School Memorial to honor the victims.
“I thought we’d just bring (the Cup) back in honor of them,” Samoskevich said at the memorial.
The 22-year-old was a first-round draft pick for the Panthers in the 2021 NHL Draft. After playing at the University of Michigan, he joined the Panthers organization and had a successful first full season with the team, recording 31 points in 72 games.
