Stanley Cup comes back to Waterloo Region for second straight year
Posted Jun 25, 2024 07:17:38 AM.
Last Updated Jun 25, 2024 02:13:38 PM.
Another local champion is hoisting the Stanley Cup.
After Kitchener’s Nic Hague won the Cup last year with Las Vegas, Kitchener’s Steven Lorentz raised the trophy Monday night as a member of the Florida Panthers.
Lorentz attended Laurel Heights Secondary School and played for the Waterloo Wolves and the Siskins before being drafted into the Ontario Hockey League by the Peterborough Petes.
He was picked by the Carolina Hurricanes in the final round of the NHL draft in 2015.
Lorentz has played more than 200 NHL games with the Hurricanes, San Jose Sharks, and now the Stanley Cup champion, Florida Panthers.
Mark Lorentz, Steven’s father, spoke with CityNews 570 the morning after the Stanley Cup win.
He said it was surreal being on video-chat with his son while he was on the ice.
“I’m having a hard time even saying it! As he carried it (the Stanley Cup) towards me, we both had tears in our eyes because, it’s a dream come true. People don’t know how much hard work it takes and how many times people said ‘no this couldn’t happen, or you’re too small, you can’t do this, or you should do something else.’ To all the little kids out there, never ever give up on your dream, ever.”
Meantime, Panthers head coach Paul Maurice has a connection to Waterloo Region as well.
He made sure to mention that in his on-ice interview after the game.
“You know it’s for my mom and dad in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario and my brothers Mike and Shane in Sault Ste. Marie and Waterloo.”
Doctor Mike Maurice is a surgeon at Grand River Hospital and St. Mary’s General hospitals.
