“Well, it’s hard to put into words,” I began, my voice slightly hoarse from shouting and celebrating. “I mean, we knew it was going to be a battle out there tonight, but to come out on top of game seven in double overtime... it’s like I’m living in a dream.” I glanced over at my teammates, still buzzing with excitement, and couldn’t help but crack a grin. “It’s a testament to the resilience and determination of this team. Every guy on the Bruins left everything on the ice tonight. We never gave up, even when things weren’t going our way. And then finally, to see that puck hit the back of the net ... it’s a feeling I’ll never forget.”
As the interviewer nodded, signaling for me to wrap it up, I took one last glance around the arena, trying to etch every detail of the moment into my memory.
“So, yeah, right now, I’m just soaking it all in.”
And with that, I flashed one last smile for the camera before turning to join my teammates, who were still hugging our win.
A few minutes later, the announcer came over the loudspeaker.
“Ladies and gentlemen, it’s time to present the Conn Smythe Trophy to the most valuable player of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.”
The NHL Commissioner stood next to the trophy, which was set up on the other end of the ice. He took over the microphone and said, “The Conn Smythe Trophy is awarded annually and this year’s winner scored twenty-three points in only twenty Stanley Cup playoff games. Congratulations to this year’s winner of the Conn Smythe Trophy: Boston Bruins’ Center, Emmett Cooper.”
The crowd roared, and I skated over to the commissioner. We shook hands and then he picked up one side of the trophy, I did the other, and we posed for a quick picture. He handed me the trophy, and I skated over to our bench, where I passed it off just as the lights dimmed in the entire arena.
The announcer came over the loudspeaker again. “And now the moment everyone has been waiting for. Ladies and gentlemen, the Stanley Cup!”
People took pictures as it was carried out and Butcher skated over to me. “Holy shit dude. This is epic.”
“I know. Are we dreaming?”
“We are definitely not dreaming. This is real, man. Fucking real!”
I wasn’t sure it would ever sink in, and if I was dreaming, I didn’t want to wake up.
The Cup was set on the podium and even though their team didn’t win, the crowd cheered. It was amazing to experience it in person, that was for sure, but the cherry on top was when I was presented with the trophy to keep the hundred-plus-year tradition running of giving it to the captain first.
With a huge grin on my face, I posed for more pictures and then lifted the almost thirty-five-pound trophy over my head. The applause was loud as I skated around the ice with it raised in the air and then, like so many others, I kissed it. I skated over to Butcher and handed it off to him because, without his fast pass to me, we might have still been playing.
He passed the trophy off to Friberg and while the guys each took a turn, I skated toward Coach Carey.
“I’m ready.”
“Okay.” He dug into his pocket and pulled out the velvet box.
“Hang on to it while we get over there?” I asked. I didn’t have pockets, and I didn’t want Ford to see it in my hands.
“Of course.”
We went together toward the open gate where family stood and waited on the ice to celebrate with us. I spotted Ford right away, but before I got to him, I hugged my parents.
“You make me so proud,” Mom gushed.
“You did it, Son,” Dad praised.
And then I went to Ford. His smile had to have been as big as mine. “I knew you guys would do it,” he said as we hugged.
“Thanks, baby.” I took his face into my hands and then, not caring if every eye and camera in the entire arena was on us, I kissed him. When I pulled back, I reached over to Coach Carey, who handed me the ring box and then I dropped to one knee.
Ford’s eyes went wide as he breathed, “Holy shit.”
I cracked open the box. “Will you marry me?”
“Yes, of course, yes!”
I slid the gold and black tungsten ring onto his left finger and then stood. Taking his face in my hands once more, I kissed him again, knowing he would be the only one I would kiss until my last breath.
I finally pulled back. “Want to get married tonight?”
