Bowman brings home Cup one last time as coach
By JOHN WAWROW
AP Sports Writer
August 28, 2002
AMHERST, N.Y. (AP) -- Scotty Bowman's home, in what is normally a quiet suburban-Buffalo neighborhood, was not hard to miss.
It was the one with the dozens of cars lined up in front Wednesday, where planted in the garden by the driveway, was a Sher-Wood hockey stick with a penned note attached: ``The Stanley Cup is around in the backyard.''
It was an open invitation, and marked a significant moment for Bowman, the winningest coach in NHL history, who turns 69 next month.
While this isn't the first time Bowman has opened his household to visitors after bringing home the Cup, it's his last as coach -- and most cherished. Moments after the Detroit Red Wings won the title in June, earning Bowman his ninth Cup victory to break Toe Blake's coaching record, Bowman announced his retirement.
``Certainly, I remember the first Cup. And I'll remember the other ones,'' said Bowman, who won his last three with Detroit, his first five with Montreal and another with Pittsburgh. ``But I'll remember this one as the last Cup that I've really been connected with.''
Why not share it?
Friends, family and neighbors -- even local municipal workers on lunch break -- stopped by where they could sign Bowman's 2002 Stanley Cup guestbook or play with a Bowman bobblehead doll. They also could read a copy of the U.S. House of Representatives' resolution, dated July 16, 2002, honoring the Red Wings' victory, and get a picture alongside Bowman with the Cup.
``This is the topper for him,'' said neighbor and former NHLer Fred Stanfield, who won two Cups with the Boston Bruins. ``Scotty's been in hockey his whole life. And this is the final, final finale. And it belongs to Scotty.''
Also on hand was 11-year-old Kevin McCorry, who suffers from Leukemia, and had a dream fulfilled to touch the trophy courtesy of the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
``I can't wait to bring pictures to school to show all of my friends,'' a beaming McCorry said. ``It's very, very special.''
Local Make-A-Wish Foundation executive John Merino said McCorry was the first of 750 local recipients to ask for a chance to be with the Cup. Thanks to Bowman, the foundation was able to oblige.
``Without hesitation, he said, 'What, you kidding? Bring him over,' '' Merino said, recalling his conversation with Bowman.
Bowman was next in line to get the Cup after goaltender Dominik Hasek took it to his native Czech Republic two weeks ago to raise money for victims of the floods that have hit the region this summer.
Bowman elected for a lower-key approach, much like the previous three times he's brought the Cup to his home which overlooks a private golf course.
``People like to come to see it. It's a very treasured trophy,'' Bowman said. ``I like to look at the names of all the other players. There's 2,200 names on the trophy.''
Bowman's name is actually on there a 10th time, winning it in 1991 as the Penguins' director of player development.
``You appreciate it more,'' Bowman said. ``You're always wondering if there's going to be another one.''
That's not out of the question, considering Bowman remains employed by the Red Wings as a consultant.
``I was prepared for this,'' he said of retirement. ``I didn't know if I would be able to know when to leave. It made it special this year, winning. I've got a lot of different things that I'm going to do, and a lot of challenges ahead.''
