Florida Panthers forward Anton Lundell celebrated the NHL championship with his team in June. On Tuesday, he celebrated the achievement with the victory trophy in front of a large audience.
Pertti Lappalainen,
STT Sports
A rare evening was spent at the Helsinki ice hall on Tuesday, when the Florida forward by Anton Lundell the achievement was celebrated at a trophy party. The Florida Panthers won the NHL hockey championship in June, when they upset the Edmonton Oilers in the finals with a 4–3 victory.
Lundell, who grew up at IFK Helsinki, brought the championship trophy, the Stanley Cup, to his old home hall for the audience to admire on Tuesday. The event’s 3,400 free admission tickets were sold out quickly.
In addition to Lundell and the trophy, the young striker’s support staff and teammates from throughout his career took to the stage at the event.
The main star of the party gave recognition on stage to, among other things, his family.
– Always trusted, loved and supported. I didn’t have to play hockey, believe it or not. No matter what we did, there was always full support, Lundell beamed.
– I wouldn’t be sitting here without my family and parents, Lundell thanked his parents.
The 22-year-old center forward comes from a sports family. His father Jan Lundell played a long career as a top goalkeeper, especially in IFK. Father Lundell was also at his son’s party.
– It was a great day, unique. The trophy left Kuopio by helicopter at seven o’clock and arrived in Espoo at nine in the morning, he said in the on-stage interview.
The Panthers’ championship crew also included Finnish players Eetu Luostarinen, Niko Mikkola and the captain Alexander Barkovwhich was the first Finn to host the Stanley Cup on Wednesday of last week.
In addition Tuomo Ruutu works as an assistant coach at Florida. He was also seen on stage on Tuesday.