Rich Pilon and Bryan Trottier hold a replica Stanley Cup during their visit to La Ronge. (Image Credit: Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

special visit

Tour by former NHLers, replica Stanley Cup brings joy to northerners

Feb 9, 2026 | 3:40 PM

It was an eventful four days for former NHLers Bryan Trottier and Rich Pilon, who travelled to all six Lac La Ronge Indian Band communities last week with a replica Stanley Cup. 

“We have been getting a really good response from the communities,” Jonas Roberts Memorial Community Centre (JRMCC) Director of Sports and Recreation Kevin Roberts said.  

“When we were at the schools, we got some good feedback from the students. It’s been a positive event overall.” 

The tour began Feb. 5 with stops in Grandmother’s Bay, Stanley Mission and Sucker River, followed by visits stops at local band schools on Friday. An entire day of events were held Saturday at the JRMCC starting with a community breakfast for 300 people, horse rides, photo opportunities with the replica cup, as well as a meet and greet with Trottier and Pilon.  

The tour ended on Sunday with two final stops in Hall Lake and Little Red. Roberts noted he hopes to bring Trottier and Pilon back some time in the future.  

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“I think things like this are good for the community, but I think for kids to hear that message from other Aboriginal people that you’re going to face challenges in whatever you do in life and you can overcome things,” he explained.  

“I think we need to keep spreading that message that good things are possible if you put in the work.” 

Trottier and Pilon both expressed a willingness to return and praised the hospitality they received in each community. They also added bringing the replica cup brought an extra bit of excitement for residents. 

“The Stanley Cup is a celebrity all by itself. It’s a replica Stanley Cup, but it’s one the kids can touch and lift and have that experience. The real Stanley Cup weighs 50 pounds; it’s been reinforced, it has taken a beating over the years, and it’s a bit heavy. The keepers of the cup don’t want anyone touching it or lifting it or anything like that in case they drop it,” Trottier said. 

“It’s just an opportunity for any hockey fan who’s seen the Stanley Cup raised over someone’s head, and they themselves can have that moment of raising the Stanley Cup. Well it’s hard to imagine what the adrenaline is going though their bodies, but their smiles say a lot.” 

At the last minute, horse rides were added to the event courtesy of Pilon. Pilon has been bringing horses to such events for the past three years and he said it adds to the mental health component of his visits. 

“On the mental health side… jump on the wagon, have some fun, fill your cup up with some joy, and once you get around the horses, what they kind of do is bring you into the moment,” Pilon remarked. 

“If anyone is struggling with depression or anxiety, they bring you into the moment and when you are in the moment, you are here. It really gives your nervous system a break when you are around the animals.” 

derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com