Nobleton native Nick Boynton hoisted the Stanley Cup last Wednesday night after the Chicago Blackhawks won the hardware in Philadelphia. Turn to page 11 for more on the local triumph. Photo by Sharon Boynton Patrick Kane scored the game-winning goal 4:06 into overtime of the Chicago Blackhawks’ first Stanley Cup victory in 49 years last Wednesday at the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia, although many watching weren’t sure if the puck had gone in since there was no red light.

As Kane raced past the Hawks’ bench, his teammates from the ice trailed behind – Patrick Sharp, Andrew Ladd, Brian Campbell as well as Nobleton native Nick Boynton. Video replay would show the puck went into the right side of the net, going through Philadelphia Flyers’ goalie Michael Leighton, as Chicago won Game 6, 4-3, and the series, 4-2. With that goal, Boynton became the first King Township resident to win the Stanley Cup.

TIRE-SIZED CONGRATS FOR NICK Nick Boynton’s uncle Scott praised his nephew’s accomplishment by setting up a Stanley Cup replica made from tires with a sign reading, ‘Nick Just Won the Title and he’s Bringing Home the CUP!. It can be view ed on the Boynton Brothers Sod Farms property on Highway 27, just sourth of King Road. Left): Nick celebrates with his brother Julian on the Wachovia Center ice immediately after the Chicago Blackhawks captured their first Stanley Cup in 49 years. (Top): Photo by Jon Yaneff (Left): Photo by Sharon Boynton “He thought it went in because he was right there and saw Leighton’s (expression) face,” said Boynton’s mother Sharon, who was at the final game, along with Nick’s father Neil and brother Julian. The 10-year NHL defenceman’s sister Natalie was unable to attend the game because she had just given birth.

Player Profile Nick Boynton Born: January 14, 1979 Age: 31 Position: defenceman NHL teams: Chicago Blackhawks (2010), Anaheim Ducks (2009-10), Florida Panthers (2008-09), Phoenix Coyotes (2006- 08), Boston Bruins (1999-2006) Drafted: 21st overall in the 1999 NHL entry draft by the Bruins. Stats: Regular season: 554 games, 33 goals, 103 assists, 136 points, plus-20, 822 penalty minutes. Playoffs: 21 games, one goal, five assists, six points, plus-3, 16 penalty minutes. Favourite NHL player growing up: Wendel Clark, who now resides in King Township. Since Boynton, 31, and the Blackhawks raised the Cup, the team has celebrated non-stop, including parading Lord Stanley in the streets of Chicago with an estimated two million in attendance Friday, while also being honoured at a Chicago Cubs/Chicago White Sox baseball game at Wrigley Field Sunday. Boynton has been unavailable for comment because of all the celebration.

Even in Nobleton at Boynton Brothers Sod Farms, Boynton’s accomplishment is be being praised by his uncle Scott, who set up a Cup replica made from tires with a sign reading, “Nick Just Won the Title and he’s Bringing Home the CUP!”

Nobleton will be one of eight Ontario stops in the unofficial tradition, which allows each member of the Cup-winning team personal possession of the trophy for a day. It is always accompanied by at least one representative from the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Though it is currently unknown when Nick is scheduled to bring the Cup to Nobleton, there would most likely be a viewing at the Dr. William Laceby Community Centre and Arena, followed by a celebration at the Boynton property with family and friends.

“We’re very proud of him and happy for him,” said Sharon Boynton, whose son played his minor hockey with Nobleton minor hockey (before NobleKing amalgamation), before starting his triple-A hockey with the peewee Richmond Hill-Vaughan Kings. “Like most Canadian kids growing up (the Stanley Cup) is their goal. Period. End of story.”

And it was quite the fairy tale rollercoaster ride story for Boynton before his name could be engraved on the Cup for the first time in his NHL career. His 2009-10 campaign started with the Anaheim Ducks, also seeing time with their American Hockey League affiliate, Manitoba Moose before being traded to the salarycap stricken Blackhawks in March as a veteran from the blue-line.

“They told him exactly what they were getting him for,” said Sharon. “They said he was going to stay with the Rockford IceHogs (Chicago’s AHL affiliate) until the end of the season and then they were definitely bringing him up for the playoffs because of cap issues.”

After only six games with Rockford, Boynton would play seven regular season games with Chicago after fellow defenceman Campbell got injured. In a game March 30 against the St. Louis Blues, Boynton would also suffer an injury, taking a punch to the face, which kept him out from the majority of the playoffs, but he played in the final three Stanley Cup final games. He was a plus-2 with a total of 25:08 ice time. He would register a goal and seven assists in 49 combined games with the Ducks and Blackhawks this season.

When Boynton joined Chicago, he was reunited with Campbell, as the pair also won the top junior hockey prize, the Memorial Cup in 1999 with the Ottawa 67’s. As a 14-year-old, Boynton started his junior career close to home with the Caledon Canadians, of the Metro Junior A Hockey League.

Boynton has also played with the Flyers’ Dan Carcillo, of King City, as the pair was with the Phoenix Coyotes from 2006-08. Boynton’s 10-year NHL career has also taken him to the Boston Bruins and Florida Panthers, as he has a total of 136 points in 554 games with 33 goals.

A diabetic since the age of 19, Boynton carries a device attached to his belt that delivers insulin to his body through a catheter placed under the skin.

“It has never really stopped me from doing anything,” said Boynton in a press release. He also checks his blood sugar 10 to 15 times a day to ensure the pump permits his body to function like any healthy person, let alone that of a NHL player.

“He is an inspiration to all athletes and has made our community very proud,” said King Mayor Margaret Black.

Where will Boynton be next season?

“If they would take him I’m sure he’ll stay in Chicago,” said Sharon Boynton.

There will surely be plenty of time to decide his next destination after the Stanley Cup celebration.