The narrative around Ovechkin was simple.
He WAS the goal-scorer who could never win a championship, but as the hockey world graciously witnessed, it was reversed when he led his Washington Capitals teammates to the franchise’s first Stanley Cup in history.
Ovi was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy, but, lifting the mug was all he really appeared to care about. After finally getting his named called by commissioner Gary Bettman, the Russian let out an enormous yell that could be heard across Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena.
The Cup raise will go down in history as one of the best, but there are a few others that also deserve recognition. Here’s a look at a few that will forever rival Ovechkin’s.
RAY BOURQUE
It took Bourque an eternity before he earned his right to lift the trophy (well, 22 seasons to be exact). Before even lifting the Cup himself, Colorado Avalanche captain Joe Sakic allowed the veteran to go first.
Classy move.
TEEMU SELANNE
A shoe-in for the Hall of Fame, all Selanne really needed in the later stage of his career was a ring. He earned it in 2007 when the Anaheim Ducks, the team he did so much damage with in his younger playing days, won their first championship in 2007. With tears down his face, Teemu gave his fans a cup lift to remember.
DAVE ANDREYCHUK
Andreychuk literally jumped on his skates for joy after he was awarded the Stanley Cup in the 2004 postseason. He initially tried to hand the cup off to teammates, but they insisted he do a hot lap first. It took more than 1,500 regular season games before Andreychuk finally got his name engraved on the Cup.
ROD BRIND’AMOUR
The Hurricanes captain was just three years older than Ovechkin when he had the opportunity to lift the Cup for the first time. ‘Rod the Bod’ literally marched while kissing the neck of the trophy. It doesn’t get much better than this.
TREVOR DALEY
It didn't take long for Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby to pass the Cup off to defenceman Trevor Daley. Injured and all, Daley was able to lift the trophy a week before his mother passed away.
Powerful stuff.
Dave Sandford/NHLI via Getty Images
