Ottawa Sun article
August 26, 1997
by Bruce Garrioch

The Russians brought the Stanley Cup to Moscow. Now, Steve Yzerman is bringing it to his home town. The Detroit Red Wings captain will put the coveted mug on display in the Steve Yzerman Arena at the Nepean Sportsplex next Thursday, Aug. 28 from 5-7 p.m. and will also be available to sign autographs. Yzerman, who played minor hockey in Nepean, realized the dream of winning his first Cup in June. His intentions were always to hold a celebration here and in Detroit, where he has signed a lifetime contract with the Wings.

Each player gets the Stanley Cup for two days during the summer after winning the championship. Yzerman wants people in Ottawa to get a glimpse. “This is something that Steve has been wanting to do. He just found out he’s going to have the Cup and it’s going to mean a lot to him to bring it to Nepean,” said Peter Chiarelli, one of Yzerman’s Ottawa-based representatives.

Nepean city council also will take the opportunity to formally re-name the arena at the Sportsplex after Yzerman. A ceremony was held prior to a Senators’ game in January but this will be an official ceremony.

Yzerman has agreed to sign autographs for an hour after the ceremony before he returns to Detroit with the Cup. The event is being held in conjunction with Nepean’s hockey camp, which Yzerman has coached at in the past. The program has yet to be finalized, but it’s unlikely the Cup will be available for individual photos because of time limitations and the fact a big crowd is expected. “This is going to be a special day for Nepean,” said spokesman Bill Levesque. “Steve phoned and said he could have the Cup here Aug. 28 and we said that’s the day we’ll do it.”