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Trevor Lewis, newly anointed as a Stanley Cup Champion, is preparing for life after this most amazing week of his life. "It's the greatest feeling ever!"
Through the Stanley Cup Parade at the Staples Center in LA then on to a much deserved vacation romp with buddies in Mexico, life will surely never be the same for this 25 year old who's just become the first Utahn to get his name engraved on the Stanley Cup.
"We have such a special group in that locker room and everyone plays for each other. I mean, it's the greatest feeling ever."
Lewis learned to skate at the foot of his father Randy on the ice at the Cottonwood Heights Recreation Center. Randy taught Trevor to crave and covet the Stanley Cup since Randy spent his early years in Alberta, Canada before moving to Salt Lake City when he was just 10.
Ten years ago when the 2002 Winter Olympics came to SLC, so did the Stanley Cup. On display at the hockey venue (known then as the "E" Center) of course Randy took Trevor to see it but "DO NOT TOUCH"! In hockey lore if you touch the Stanley Cup you never win it. So Trevor took a picture with the Cup but wanted no part of a closer encounter, until he'd earned it.
As Trevor developed, playing for club teams including the Brighton High club hockey team he quickly outgrew the level of hockey played in Utah. So his dad "made the toughest decision of my life", sending Trevor out of state to Colorado where he could battle better competition and live with extended family.
I was jumping around on the bench, I don't even know what I was doing. I threw my gloves off and I fell coming on the ice, I was so excited.
–Trevor Lewis
"I not only said goodbye to my son but my best friend too," Randy remembered recently on SportsBeat Sunday. There were tears in his eyes when he thought back to how hard it was to cut his son loose to follow his hockey dream.
Trevor developed into a reliable two-way player, drafted in the first round of the 2006 draft by the NHL'S Los Angeles Kings. It took "Little Lewie" as he's called just three years to become a regular third line centerman on the Kings.
Trevor was contributing to LA's swift rush through the playoffs, winning 15 of their first 17 playoff games. He picked up three assists in a four game stretch as the Kings eliminated Phoenix 4 games to 1, steamrolling into the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time since Wayne Gretzky led the Kings in 19 years ago.
What a way to finish off his sublime run. Lewis had scored just 7 goals in his NHL career, then lit the lamp twice in the clinching Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Finals.
When time ran out, Kings' sticks, gloves and bodies flew all over the ice. "I was jumping around on the bench, I don't even know what I was doing. I threw my gloves off and I fell coming on the ice, I was so excited."
Then, and only then, could Trevor put his hands on the fabled silver chalice and it was a legendary vice-grip he applied to the Cup when he had his short time to skate around Staples Center in the initial celebration. "I mean you dream about this since you're a little kid. It's such an unbelievable feeling."
Then when his mom Linda and dad Randy joined him on the ice, Randy got his turn to hoist Lord Stanley's cup. Trevor would later drink celebratory beverages out of the Cup in the locker room.
As is Stanley Cup custom, Trevor will get his own 24 hours to have the Stanley Cup, and already told me before the Finals he was bringing the Cup back here to his hometown of Salt Lake City. We can't wait to enjoy it with him!
Hit me up on Twitter @tksportsbeat or if 140 characters isn't enough, email me tom.kirkland@ksl.com. I enjoy and respect any and all opinions!