Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk speaks after Florida's 8-1 defeat in Edmonton on June 15. To the surprise of absolutely no one, Matthew Tkachuk had an incredible 24 hours with the Stanley Cup. Well, to be fair, Tkachuk somehow was able to pregame with the Cup and get a few extra hours the night before his big day, so to call it 24 hours wouldn’t exactly be accurate. Back in his hometown of St. Louis, Missouri, the fun started on Wednesday when Matthew’s sister Taryn Tkachuk posted an Instagram story of herself drinking from the Cup while her brother helped hold it up. Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAwNjE3OTM2NjIzMjQ4NDky/img_6014.jpg] Tkachuk and his kin also brought the Cup to O’B Clarks that night, which is his beloved hometown watering hole. “That’s the best neighborhood bar in the world and my favorite bar in St. Louis,” Tkachuk told KSDK News [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NmnzGLlI1ic&t=328s]. “I got to be there with some friends and a lot of it’s mainly family, I’ve got some much family in town right now, so being able to celebrate with them and try to go to our favorite spots, I’m very lucky to have (the Cup) for a day and a half, basically. On Thursday, Tkachuk literally started his day with Lord Stanley’s Cup after it was waiting for him at his front door. One of the most important stops of the day came in the morning when he brought the Cup to the St. Louis Children’s Hospital, where he spent time with some of the patients. The experience with the Cup, and Tkachuk, was surely some incredible moments for those kids. He also brought Lord Stanley back to Villa Duchesne, the elementary school he and his siblings attended, where the family took some cool photos together on the Tkachuk Terrace, and to Chaminade College Preparatory, where Tkachuk attended high school. [embed]https://www.instagram.com/p/p:C9i8viKNUBt[/embed] Another cool visit came when Tkachuk caught up with family friend and former Heisman Trophy winner Chris Weinke, who just happened to have his trophy while Tkachuk had his Cup, so naturally some very unique photos were snapped. After stops at the Brentwood Police Department and Brentwood Fire Departments, and grabbing a snack at Sportsman’s Park and lunch at Grassi's, Tkachuk headed to what is probably one of the most popular places to visit in Missouri: the Anheuser Busch brewery. Not only did the Tkachuk’s get to visit with some of the famous Budweiser Clydesdales, but he even had one of them drink from the Cup. Hopefully, when Tkachuk looks back on his day with the Stanley Cup, he’ll be able to feel like he took that beautiful silver trophy everywhere he could have wanted. “I’ve dreamt of this day my entire life, being able to bring the Cup back to St. Louis and celebrating it with everybody that’s gotten me to where I am right now,” Tkachuk said. “This has been an incredible time and something that I’ll remember forever.” [embed]https://www.instagram.com/p/p:C9iMrpzO1IM[/embed] LATEST STORIES FROM THE HOCKEY NEWS - FLORIDA Panthers prospect Vladislav Lukashevich joins Michigan State University [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/players/panthers-prospect-vladislav-lukashevich-joins-michigan-state-university] Matthew Tkachuk brings Stanley Cup to St. Louis Children's Hospital for special visit [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/matthew-tkachuk-brings-stanley-cup-to-st-louis-childrens-hospital-for-special-visit] New Panthers defenseman Nate Schmidt has 4-goal night in Da Beauty League [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/new-panthers-defenseman-nate-schmidt-has-4-goal-night-in-da-beauty-league] Gus Forsling 8-year extension credited as NHL’s best contract [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/players/gus-forsling-8-year-extension-credited-as-nhls-best-contract] Brandon Montour bringing Stanley Cup to Six Nations for parade, celebration [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/brandon-montour-bringing-stanley-cup-to-six-nations-for-parade-celebration] Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAxNjQxMjA5NjI4NzMxMDIz/unnamed.jpg]
