The broadcaster and writer Jim Lang discusses his new book My Day with the Cup: NHL Players Tell Their Stories about Hometown Celebrations with Hockey’s Greatest Trophy (Simon & Schuster, 2024), with Joseph Planta.

My Day with the Cup: NHL Players Tell Their Stories about Hometown Celebrations with Hockey’s Greatest Trophy by Jim Lang (Simon & Schuster, 2024). Click to buy this book from Amazon.ca: My Day with the Cup

Text of the introduction by Joseph Planta:

I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, British Columbia, at TheCommentary.ca.

As we’re in the midst of the second round of the hockey playoffs, there are eight teams left on the road to the Stanley Cup. Jim Lang joins me now. And he’s got a timely book out, My Day with the Cup: NHL Players Tell Their Stories about Hometown Celebrations with Hockey’s Greatest Trophy. There’s no other trophy in professional sport as recognisable or legendary as the Stanley Cup. The name of every champion on the teams that win the cup find their names engraved on it, and in recent years, every player, every coach, and team member gets to spend at least a day with it. Mr. Lang speaks to a number of players, legends and recent winners, who recount with wonderment, awe, and reverence their time with the Cup. And part of the mystique of the cup itself are the people who accompany it, the Keepers of the Cup. Phil Pritchard, who’s been on this program before, is probably the most prominent, always seen carrying the cup into events like in that recent car commercial. He, with Mike Bolt, and Walt Neubrand work long hours preparing for cup visits, not to mention the actual time itself a team member has with the cup, as it doesn’t leave their sight. Jim gets marvelous stories from these guys about adventures around the world with the Stanley Cup, as well as these heartfelt stories from players and coaches alike who tell Jim about what it means to them. It’s considered the most difficult sports championship to win, which makes the time spent with the cup after the Stanley Cup final all the more important and special. Jim Lang is a sportscaster, journalist, and co-author of memoirs by Tie Domi, Max Domi, Wendel Clark, and Bryan Berard. He’s written Everyday Hockey Heroes, volumes one through three with Bob Mackenzie, and is the host of The Jim Lang Show on radio station 105.9 The Region. His Twitter handle is @JimLangSports. This new book is published by Simon & Schuster. We spoke two and a half weeks ago, with Jim joining me from Newmarket, Ontario. Please welcome to the Planta: On the Line program, Jim Lang; Mr. Lang, good morning.

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